My Diverse Denver Diaries: Spring has (finally) Sprung!

This morning after dropping Ethan at school I took Boo and Hoax off for a long hike. The sun was shining already and I was so ready for some peace and quiet with my woofs.

I headed over to Daniels Park which is part of the Rocky Mountain Parks system, after driving through and finding what seemed to be a parking lot, we backpacked up and tried following some footpaths, which all ended up dead ending at picnic tables. Slightly frustrated we jumped back into the car and instead pulled up at a lot which I had passed a few miles prior to Daniels Park.

On the edge of Highlands Ranch development is the 'Backcountry' areas. A few miles of trail loops which were well mapped and marked. We set off again and the first half a mile or so was pretty boring. A Standard track with a lot of foot traffic which didn't inspire me to hike for long. However the first trail off the main track appeared and we set off down it. The various trails had these great, quirky American names; I took Buck Snort trail to Tenderfoot, then right on Giddy Up to finally finish along Longhorn Ledge! Once I left the main path, I didn't see a single other person for the whole hike until we hit back onto the main path. The trail was pretty easy to hike and the wildlife was out enjoying the Spring Weather too. I took my Bear Spray this time but didn't need it of course.

It was an amazing hike. We walked for over five miles, stopping for water breaks for the dogs and I often as it was pretty hot (first shorts day)! Boo and Hoax did really well and loved getting out with just me. Most of the paths were good footing but there was the odd muddy patch from the weekends snow, we spotted tons of animal footprints in the recently dried mud, it was incredible as the path was literally covered with them but I didn't see a single Elk.

On a day like today, I am not sure theres any other place that I would rather be.