What we’re about
Hello and welcome to Alpine Adventurers Hiking!
We're a community of folks who love hiking!! Most of us are 50+ years young, but all are welcome. The hikes will be scheduled year-round, located in the beautiful front range mountains just outside of Denver, Colorado: extending from Ward/Nederland, to Boulder, Golden, Kittredge, Evergreen, and Pine, CO. Average length of hikes is 6-9 miles, with 1,000+ ft. elevation gain, providing a great workout, but not too 'killer'! We'll hike a variety of terrain: through pine forests, canyons, and aspen groves, traversing mountain switchbacks and trekking alongside cascading waters. Depending on the season, we'll revel in nature's gorgeous arrays of wildflowers, fall colors and sparkling snow (always bring your spikes for traction on ice/packed snow). We'll take in the incredible views from rocky outcroppings and overlooks at higher elevations, enjoying a snack break and pausing to take a few photos along the way. We'll even explore several historical sites, and discover fascinating, often obscure aspects of Colorado's history, including notable individuals who left their unique imprint on our state.
***I also enjoy organizing additional events connected to hiking/walking: enjoying live music, festivals, outdoor art shows, and community holiday celebrations, sometimes following our hike, other times stand- alone outings. Hope you'll join us for a variety of FUN TIMES! ***
After hiking, there will sometimes be lunch happening at a local eatery (outdoors on a patio or deck preferred, weather permitting) where we can enjoy great food and socializing!
When Meetup members sign up and accept the Meetup Terms of Service, they are agreeing to the Release found in Section #6 (see link below): This Release basically states that members attend events at their own risk, and releases the organizers, the assistant organizers and Meetup from any claims that may result from injury or death. Hiking has inherent risks, and each member is responsible for their own safety & well-being during outings with the group. Know your own limits and abilities, and proceed accordingly. Click on the link below to view the Meetup Release document:
**CONDUCT OF ATTENDEES ON HIKES/OUTINGS:
Please remember that we hike together in the beautiful Front Range Mountains to get a great workout, socialize and make new friends, reduce stress and experience renewal in mind, body, and spirit. Demonstrating respect for others through actions and words, making an effort to contribute to the group in a positive way, ensures that we'll all have an enjoyable experience! Please keep this in mind when signing up for and attending hikes/outings. Members who disregard these conduct guidelines will not be able to retain their membership with this group.**
Always come prepared with plenty of water, sunscreen, a snack, & proper clothing/boots for the weather/elements. A CORSAR Card is highly recommended. The cost is $12 for a five-year card. This helps to fund volunteer emergency rescue crews who are on call, should you have an injury or health emergency while out on the trials. Here's a link for more detailed information:
IMPORTANT: PLEASE DO NOT SIGN UP TO ATTEND A HIKE OR SNOWSHOE OUTING, THEN FAIL TO SHOW UP THE MORNING OF THE EVENT WITHOUT PROVIDING NOTICE. WHENEVER POSSIBLE, CHANGE YOUR RSVP TO 'NOT GOING' A MINIMUM OF 24 HOURS IN ADVANCE, SO THAT THOSE ON THE WAIT LIST MAY ATTEND. I UNDERSTAND THAT EMERGENCIES AND LAST-MINUTE ISSUES OCCUR, BUT PLEASE CANCEL YOUR RSVP AS SOON AS POSSIBLE! THIS SHOWS RESPECT FOR THE LEADER AND ALL MEMBERS OF THIS GROUP. AS IS TRUE FOR MOST MEETUPS, MEMBERS WHO CONSISTENTLY 'NO SHOW' (3 OR MORE TIMES) WILL LOSE THEIR MEMBERSHIP IN THIS GROUP. THANK YOU!
I am very excited to continue organizing and leading hikes, and to create special memories with my fellow adventurers!!
See you soon,
Tricia
Upcoming events (2)
See all- MULE DEER TRAIL LOOP TO PANORAMA POINT, GOLDEN GATE CANYON STATE PARK!Needs location
Mule Deer Trail Loop, Golden Gate Canyon State Park, Golden, CO
Total distance: 9.6 mile loop
Usage: Medium
Degree of difficulty: Moderate
Starting elevation: 8,200
Elevation gain: 1,446 feetIn 2012, the Elk trail and Mule Deer trail joined up to become one long loop trail with a total distance of 9.6 miles. Starting and ending at the Ole' Barn Knoll trail head, Mule Deer weaves through open meadows, evergreen forest, prolific wildflowers, and multiple aspen groves. Mule Deer intersects the Horseshoe trail at mile 1.85 - this trail provides access to the Frazer, Rim, and Greenfield Meadow backcountry areas. Mule Deer intersects the Black Bear trail at mile 1.5, and the Coyote trail at mile 2.05. The trail crosses Gap Road and takes you towards the Raccoon trail and the Reverend’s Ridge Campground. We'll enjoy taking a break at the breathtakingly beautiful Panorama Point, the highest elevation of this hike, with incredible views of many 14'ers across the Continental Divide of the Rockies. From there, we'll head down the mountain to complete the loop.
Dogs are permitted on all of the trails at Golden Gate. They must be on a 6-foot leash at all times. Please keep Golden Gate beautiful and pick up after your dog.
THERE IS NO CELL PHONE OR INTERNET SERVICE IN GOLDEN GATE CANYON STATE PARK. Pay phones are located at the Visitor Center and Campground office.
THERE IS A $10 ENTRANCE FEE PER VEHICLE--see information below regarding payment, if you don't have a Colorado State Parks pass.
Click here for the trail map & driving directions:
https://trails.colorado.gov/trails/mule-deer-15308
**For driving directions, type 'Mule Deer Trail' and 'Ole' Barn Knoll Trailhead' in the search bars**ADDRESS:
Golden Gate Canyon State Park
92 Crawford Gulch Rd, Golden, CO 80403DIRECTIONS: Coming from Hwy. 93 in Golden, follow Golden Gate Canyon Rd. 13 miles, at which point you'll pass by Crawford Gulch Road on your right, where the park Visitor Center is located. Continuing a short distance up Golden Gate Canyon Rd., you'll pass KRILEY PONDS on the right. Continue a short distance past Kriley Ponds on Golden Gate Canyon Rd. to MOUNTAIN BASE ROAD and TURN RIGHT, then CURVE LEFT THROUGH THE GATES, and follow this road approx. 1/4 mile to the OLE' BARN KNOLL parking area on your left, where we'll meet. The trailhead is just across the road. Restrooms are available at the parking area, and at Panorama Point.
***We wait 5 MINUTES MAXIMUM for hikers who arrive late, out of consideration for those arriving on time. Please allow some extra time to drive to the trailhead.***
IMPORTANT: Your participation in this event is at your own risk, and you are solely responsible for your personal hiking experience, from start to finish. Please consider your fitness/comfort level & the demands of this hike (length/elevation gain/difficulty) prior to signing up.COLORADO STATE PARKS PASS:
If you don't have a Colorado State Parks Pass, you can purchase a one day only parking pass at the kiosk on the deck of the Visitor's Center and pay $10 cash (instructions are on the envelope provided). The Visitor Center does not open until 9 a.m. daily.Click on this link for further information:
Colorado Parks & Wildlife - Golden Gate Canyon (state.co.us) - HISTORIC CARIBOU RANCH OPEN SPACE & MUD LAKE LOOP IN NEDERLAND, CO!Needs location
**CARIBOU RANCH OPENS FOR THE SEASON ON JULY 1ST**
This moderate hike is approximately 7.5 miles in length; 740 Ft. elevation gain.
**DOGS ARE NOT ALLOWED IN CARIBOU RANCH OPEN SPACE**We'll hike the Bluebird Loop and DeLonde Trail, also hiking to the beautiful cascading waters at two different vantage points. As we complete this hike, we'll hike across the road from the parking lot, to the Mud Lake Open Space, and hike the beautiful Tungsten & Kinnickinnick trails flanking scenic, peaceful Mud Lake, with great views of Mt. Audubon. Caribou Ranch is Boulder's highest open space, well above 8,000 feet, and features a wide variety of wildlife not commonly seen in the other Boulder open spaces, including Moose, Elk, the Short-tailed Weasel, and Beaver. It is home to the Delonde Homestead, set in a meadow that includes Beaver ponds. The trails of Caribou Ranch Open Space also take you on a HISTORIC JOURNEY into the mining era of the 1870s, including a silver mine, bunk house, and out buildings. We'll hike through the former DeLonde family ranch, and along a scenic railroad route of the early 1900s. The well- known movie, 'Stagecoach', starring Bing Crosby, was largely filmed at Caribou Ranch in the late '60's. We'll explore a few of the buildings and sites captured on film in this movie!
LInk to Caribou Ranch trail route/Directions:
https://www.alltrails.com/explore/trail/us/colorado/caribou-ranch-trail?mobileMap=false&ref=sidebar-static-map
Link to Mud Lake area/trail route:
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/colorado/tungsten-and-kinnickinnick-loop-at-mud-lake-open-space-parkDirections to the CARIBOU TRAILHEAD:
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/colorado/caribou-ranch-trailAddress: 144 Co Rd 126 #86, Nederland, CO 80466
From Denver, take US-36 into the city of Boulder or 93 from Golden. Take CO-119/Canyon Blvd west for 17.1 miles, to the town of Nederland. You will see Barker Meadow Reservoir on your left. In the center of town; you’ll drive through the round-about onto CO-72 (the Peak To Peak Hwy., towards Estes Park) and follow it for about 2 miles to MUD LAKE/CARIBOU RANCH OPEN SPACE (CR-126), where you'll TURN LEFT, and follow CR-126 about 1 mile, until you arrive at the parking lots, on your right, where we'll meet. **DO NOT TAKE THE CARIBOU RANCH ROAD, which is the first road you'll come to when you're driving out of Nederland. ***Also, AFTER YOU TURN LEFT ONTO CR-126, DO NOT TURN LEFT ONTO MUD LAKE ROAD (about 1/4 mile down CR-126), AS WE ARE NOT PARKING THERE, BUT AT CARIBOU RANCH! ***
Restrooms are available at the trailhead.
