What we’re about
Welcome, Active Outdoors Fans!
The Denver Trail Heads is a group for people with a wide range of outdoor interests. We will be hiking, snowshoeing, camping, cross-country skiing, etc. Occasionally, you will see a backpack or camping trip or an overnight at one of the many Forest Service cabins.
Our goal is to provide a safe, fun environment for ALL to enjoy outdoor activities, regardless of:
• Age
• Gender
• National Origin
• Race
• Religion
• Sexual Orientation
To date, we have hosted over 2,500 events. These trips were all made possible by our organizers. We work hard to organize trips and make them fun for you. The tone of an event is set by the organizer. Hiking speed, number of breaks, fitness level required, picture taking, dog-friendly, etc. Sometimes it is not as much the location or type of event, but who is running it that will determine if it is the event for you. More information about our organizers can be found here.
If you have an idea for a trip or you are interested in becoming an organizer, please let Paul and Bernard know. We are always looking for qualified organizers to help out!
Please RSVP yes only if you definitely plan to come. If you change your mind, please update your RSVP.
By joining this group you agree to the policies and terms of the group.
We do not charge members a fee to join the group. However, donations are appreciated.
NOTE TO SOLICITORS; This is not a philanthropic, or marketing organization. Please do not contact us for such purposes.
Upcoming events (3)
See all- Evening Hike - Pence ParkPence Park, Evergreen, CO
Let's get the blood pumping with a short, STEEP hike that leads to a scenic view from the summit of Independence Mountain in this historic Denver Mountain Park.
CONTACT: Bernard at (303) 229-2419
ATTENDEE LIMIT: 14 Hikers.
SIGN-UP: Please RSVP yes only if you definitely plan to come. If you change your mind, please update your RSVP. By joining this group you agree to the Policies and Terms of this group.
COVID-19 PROTOCOL: Do not sign up if you:
- are sick with, or have tested positive for COVID-19.
- have been in contact with a person who is sick with, or has tested positive for COVID-19.
- are not feeling well, or have any other infectious disease.
MEET: The hike begins ASAP, so please arrive early.
WHAT TO BRING: Appropriate gear (jacket, water, snacks, etc).
DISTANCE/GAIN: 2.0 mi RT. Elevation gain: 746 ft. (Level: STRENUOUS). MAP
DOGS: Well behaved dogs are welcome. Dogs must be leashed. Dog owners must clean up pet excrement
Denver Mountain Park Regulation:
16.3.8 Dogs brought on to Trails must be restrained by a leash no longer than six (6) feet in length. Operators of Human-Powered Devices on Trails are not allowed to have a dog on leash while operating or riding Human-Powered Devices.DISCLAIMER: Hiking is risky. Every year people are hurt and killed because they go beyond their abilities, get lost, or bring the wrong gear. I am not a professional guide. You are responsible for yourself. By signing up for this hike you acknowledge that you are solely responsible for your own safety and will do the necessary research to understand the conditions of this hike and the gear and conditioning required. Anyone choosing to hike with our group should carry personal health insurance and a CORSAR (Colorado Outdoor Recreation Search and Rescue) card, in case of an emergency.
- Evening Loop Hike - O'Fallon ParkO'Fallon Park, Kittredge, CO
Let's enjoy an evening loop hike in this beautiful Denver Mountain Park! We will hike the lower loop, part of which has recently been designated as the Winston K. Walker Loop, and if time permits, venture to the recently restored chimney.
CONTACT: Bernard at (303)-229-2419
ATTENDEE LIMIT: 14 Hikers.
SIGN-UP: Please RSVP yes only if you definitely plan to come. If you change your mind, please update your RSVP. By joining this group you agree to the Policies and Terms of this group.
NO SHOWS: If you No-Show to 2 events, you will be removed and banned from this meetup group. So please change your RSVP to “not going” if you are unable to attend.
COVID-19 PROTOCOL: Do not sign up if you:
- are sick with, or have tested positive for COVID-19.
- have been in contact with a person who is sick with, or has tested positive for COVID-19.
- are not feeling well, or have any other infectious disease.
MEET: Please arrive early to prepare to hike and for introductions as we will start hiking at 5:00 pm.
WHAT TO BRING: Typical gear, jacket, water, snacks, etc.
DISTANCE/GAIN: 3.1 mi RT. Elevation gain: 534 ft. (Level: Moderate).
NOTE: The trail gains over 425 ft in the first 0.8 miles. MAP
DOGS: Well-behaved dogs are welcome. Dogs must be leashed. Dog owners must clean up pet excrement.
Denver Mountain Park Regulation:
16.3.8 Dogs brought on to Trails must be restrained by a leash no longer than six (6) feet in length. Operators of Human-Powered Devices on Trails are not allowed to have a dog on leash while operating or riding Human-Powered Devices.
DISCLAIMER: Hiking is risky. Every year people are hurt and killed because they go beyond their abilities, get lost, or bring the wrong gear. I am not a professional guide. You are responsible for yourself. By signing up for this hike you acknowledge that you are solely responsible for your own safety and will do the necessary research to understand the conditions of this hike and the gear and conditioning required. And lastly, anyone choosing to hike with our group should carry personal medical insurance and a CORSAR (Colorado Outdoor Recreation Search and Rescue) card in case of an emergency.
HISTORY: Martin J. O’Fallon’s 1938 donation of 860 acres was one of the last major additions to the Denver Mountain Park system. This donation connected Corwina Park on the creek with Pence Park to the south. Together the three parks comprise 1,487 acres of contiguous parcels. Most of the park acreage is open space that protects and sustains the Bear Creek corridor including wetlands, riparian forest, open meadows, watershed, and evergreen forests.
O’Fallon is a favored spot for family picnics along bear Creek. Consequently, it fills up quickly especially weekends during the summer months. O’Fallon Mountain Park has an extensive system of trails. It is possible to hike east to Corwina Park or west to Pence Park. O’Fallon also provides access to the Bear Creek Trail. All trails in O’Fallon are closed to mountain bikes and hiker only except the Bear Creek Trail which traverses the park from Corwina Park to Pence Park. There is no mountain bike access to the Bear Creek Trail from the O’Fallon Park trailheads.
Picnicking and restroom facilities are available in the central portion of the park with nearby parking.
The old Bear Creek Road which is closed to motorized traffic provides a short hike to an iconic stone fireplace (missing its roof) visible along Bear Creek and which commemorates Mr. O’Fallon’s donation. O’Fallon is also a favorite spot for fishing along Bear Creek.
More information about Denver Mountain Parks:
RMPBS - Colorado Experience: Denver Mountain Parks
- Epic Grand Canyon National Park backpackNeeds location
This invitation is to join an epic adventure in America’s grandest outdoor cathedral. There are gazillions of park visitors every year on the south rim. We’ll be on the north rim, so far from the crowds that it’ll be a small miracle if we see any others anywhere on the trip. Our route takes us on a four-day, three-night backpack from the canyon rim to the Toroweep Overlook, nearly 3,000 feet almost directly above the Colorado River, from where we’ll take-in one of the most jaw-dropping views on the planet. Our path is to and on the Tuckup Trail, which winds for about 100 miles under the north rim. We'll start about 34 miles from the overlook, descend about 1,400 feet, drop our packs for a 3-mile roundtrip excursion to renowned petroglyphs, go back to the Tuckup Trail and retrieve our packs, and from there hike step-by-step to the river overlook, where there will be cars to take us out and back to civilization, first at a vacation home near Kanab, and the next day home. During the hike, we’ll be in two-way satellite communication with both emergency responders and others in our group at the overlook, waiting for us and prepared to help us get ER help if necessary.
DATES
Oct. 15-21, 2025
LIMIT - 11
The SUBLIME
The vastness.
The grandeur.
The solitude.
The deafening quiet.
The indescribably beautiful and glorious night sky with no moon.
THE GOOD
Slick-rock hiking, which is easier because your boots don’t sink into the ground.
No trail, meaning that you can place your boots where you wish.
World-class petroglyphs.
Net elevation decline of about 1,400 feet.
Once we hit the Tuckup Trail after the elevation decline, we’ll be steady at 4,000 feet the rest of the way, making breathing easier than at mile-high elevation.
The usual weather at that time of year features warm days and nights.
The weight on our backs will decline every day even more than usual because…. see “The Ugly” below.
THE BAD
No trail means relying heavily on GPS navigation, with serious penalties for getting off-track.
The weather is variable, so we’ll need to be prepared if a system moves through.
Gross elevation gain/loss of about 4,000 feet because of a seemingly endless supply of ups-and-downs of as much as 100-200 feet/per.
No campfires until the final night at the overlook campground (if then).
THE UGLY
There is no reliable water source, so we’ll have to carry up to a gallon each for each day. That means 28-36 pounds of water, which in turn means that your packs will likely weigh 40-50 pounds on the first day.
Participants will need to have experience with desert hiking, fortitude, indefatigableness to overcome whatever hurdles we encounter, and a difficult-to-quench yearning for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in the backcountry.
Review what the park says about the area here. For those who subscribe to All-Trails, there’ a nifty 3-D video. Just search “Tuckup Trail.” I will have maps. We will meet in Denver a week or two prior to the trip for a meet-n-greet, to review safety protocols, and to pour over maps. I’ll provide an itinerary to those who sign-up.
I need to obtain a backcountry permit. I cannot apply for it until six months out.
I’m recruiting from multiple groups. To sign-up or ask questions, email me at mtnry@aol.com.
