Happy Hikers Calendar
Spring 2008

Only Happy Hikers Club members and guests of members who are approved by the hike leader can go on the hikes. You must sign up to go on a hike. Members should sign up with the pertinent leader from Sunday through Thursday before the scheduled hike. Some areas have restrictions on group size so we may occasionally have to limit group size if too many people sign up.

Based on rising fuel costs and results from our recent membership survey, we have raised the drivers’ reimbursement fee to ten cents per mile.  Round trip mileage and reimbursements for each hike are indicated below.

Please note:  We are setting up a new website in the next few weeks.  The site will have many more functions than the current one so that we can improve communications among members.  The two websites will overlap for a while and a link will be established between them so that no information is lost during the transition.  Everyone will be notified when the new site is up and running.  We will update all member contact information at that time.

Day:
Saturday
Date:
April 5

Place:  Dowdy Draw Trail
General Location:  South of Boulder
Description:  Hike west from Colorado 93 with great views of the Flatirons and mountains beyond.  Descend into a broad valley with continuing great views.  Trail passes through grassland and forested areas.

Hike Mileage:

5.4 miles RT.

Altitude Gain:

500 ft.

Starting:
5,600 ft.
Highest:
6,100 ft.

Auto Mileage:

45 miles RT.

Please pay your driver $4.50.

Leader:

Tom

Meet at:  4th and Union (Cold Spring) Park-n-Ride. 
Time:  8:00 AM

Day:
Saturday
Date:
April 12

Place:  Waldo Canyon Loop
General Location:  Near Cascade
Description:  Moderate hike along a stream with views of Pikes Peak and Colorado Springs.  The trail starts up landscaped stairs and switchbacks then traverses the stream several times.  Stream crossings are easy but wear suitable footwear to keep your feet dry.  Estimated hiking time to complete the loop is 4 hours.

Hike Mileage:

6.8 miles RT.

Altitude Gain:

2,000 ft.

Starting:
N/A

Highest:
N/A

Auto Mileage:

160 miles RT.

Please pay your driver $16.00

Leader:

Rosie

Meet at: Monaco and Hampden Park-n-Ride.
Time:  7:30 AM

Day:
Saturday
Date:
April 19

Place:  Royal Arch
General Location:  Chautauqua Park, Boulder
Description:  Moderate hike.  The trail begins at the Ranger Station in Chautauqua Park and heads up the closed access road which skirts the open grassy meadows of the lower foothills.  After a quick drop into a gulch the trail climbs steadily through coniferous forests to the sandstone arch.  The first half of the hike is easy on relatively level ground.  The second half (the ascent to the Arch) is steep.  Great views of the Third Flatiron and City of Boulder.  Plan to stop for lunch in Boulder afterward otherwise drive in separate car.

Hike Mileage:

4 miles RT.

Altitude Gain:

1,450 ft.

Starting:
5,680 ft.
Highest:
7,130 ft.

Auto Mileage:

Approx. 50 miles RT. Please pay your driver $5.00

Leader:

Jon

Meet at:  88th and I-25 ( Thornton) Park-n-Ride. 
Time:  8:00 AM

Day:
Saturday
Date:
April 26

Place: Beaver Brook, west end
General Location:  Genesee
Description: Narrow trail with some tricky footing steeply descends to rocky path by streambed, then back up the side of the drainage with first lunch at Charm Spring.  Return by the same route.  No flats, steady pace.  Sturdy hiking shoes required.  Optional second lunch later.

Hike Mileage:

7 miles RT

Altitude Gain:

-1000 ft.

Starting:
7400 ft.
Highest:
7400 ft.

Auto Mileage:

25 miles RT est

Leader:

Steve

Meet at: 4th & Union Park-n-Ride.
Time:  8:00 AM


Day:
Saturday
Date:
May 3

Place:  Green Mountain - Maximum group size 20
General Location:  Lakewood
Description: This is an easy hike at low elevation near the Denver metro area.  There are views of downtown Denver and the Front Range peaks.

Hike Mileage:

4.2 miles RT

Altitude Gain:

939 ft.

Starting:
6070 ft.
Highest:
6855 ft.

Auto Mileage:

less than 10 miles RT

 

Leader:

Susan
Maureen

Call Susan

Meet at:  4th & Union Park-n-Ride. 
Time:  8:00 AM

Day:
Saturday
Date:
May 10

Place: Elk Meadows/Bergen Peak
General Location:  Evergreen area/Jefferson County
Description: The Elk Meadows park offers a diversity of ecosystems from rolling meadows to ponderosa pine forests to rocky summits covered with Douglas fir and scattered aspen groves. From the summit of Bergen Peak, the view is over the foothills to the plains in the East, Pikes Peak in the south, and Mt Evans and the Continental Divide in the west. Great endurance building hike. Estimated hiking time is 6 hours including lunch. Ice walkers/YakTrax and hiking sticks recommended.

Hike Mileage:

7.8 miles RT

Altitude Gain:

2148 ft.

Starting:
7560 ft.
Highest:
9708 ft.

Auto Mileage:

40 miles RT  

Leader:

Heidi

Meet at: 4th & Union Park-n-Ride.
Time: 8:30 AM


Day:
Saturday
Date:
May 17

Place:  Cub Lake/The Pool Loop
General Location:  Rocky Mountain National Park
Description:  Hike from Moraine Park through meadows where elk can sometimes be seen.  Climb to beautiful Cub Lake in the pine forests.  Continue on route descending to where the Big Thompson River passes through a small pool.  Follow the river back to the trailhead.  There should be plenty of water to view.  Park passes required.

Hike Mileage:

5.8 miles RT.

Altitude Gain:

900 ft.

Starting:
7,850 ft.
Highest:
8,750 ft.

Auto Mileage:

120 miles RT.

Please pay your driver $12.00

Leader:

Tom

Meet at: 88th and I-25 ( Thornton) Park-n-Ride. 
Time: 7:00 AM 

Day:
Saturday
Date:
May 24

Place:  Copeland Falls , Calypso Cascades and, Ouzel Falls
General Location: Wild Basin, Rocky Mountain National Park
Description:  Easy to moderate hike starting at the Wild Basin Ranger Station. The trail follows N. St. Vrain Creek to Copeland Falls, Cony Creek to Calypso Cascades, then skirts around the outer edge of the 1978 Ouzel Fire burn area and gradually climbs to Ouzel Creek.  Ouzel Falls crash through a notch in the cliff, down a sheer rock face.  This is one of the most spectacular waterfalls in the Park.  In addition to being a wonderful place to visit and photograph, the falls are a great place to eat lunch! Park passes required.

Hike Mileage:

7.4 miles RT.

Altitude Gain:

1,130 ft.

Starting:
8,320 ft.
Highest:
9,450 ft.

Auto Mileage:

120 miles RT.

Please pay your driver $12.00

Leader:

Barb
Rhonda

Call Rhonda

Meet at:  88th and I-25 ( Thornton) Park-n-Ride.
Time:  7:00 AM

  NO HIKE ON SATURDAY MAY 31 DUE TO MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND

Day:
Saturday
Date:
June 7

Place:  Willow Creek Loop
General Location:  Eagles Nest Wilderness Area, near Silverthorne.  Limit 12.
Description:  Moderate hike that follows N. Willow Creek through the White River National Forest to join the Gore Trail around Red Peak and completes the loop by returning on S. Willow Creek trail.  Route crosses the Eagles Nest Wilderness.  Great views of the Gore Range, Williams Fork Mountains, Lake Dillon and Keystone ski area.  Bring trail snacks, optional lunch afterward.  Hiking time approx. 4 hours.

Hike Mileage:

7.5 miles RT.

Altitude Gain:

1,000 ft.

Starting:
9,000 ft.

Highest:
10,000 ft

Auto Mileage:

125 miles RT.

Please pay your driver  $12.50

Leader:

Fred

Meet at:  4th & Union Park-n-Ride. 
Time:  8:00 AM

Day:
Saturday
Date:
June 14

Place:  South Table Mountain.  Limit 15.
General Location:  Southeast of Golden
Description:  Leisurely wildflower identification hike through mixed grassland-shrub-xeric plant communities typical along the Front Range.  Start at 19th Street trailhead and hike to the top of South Table Mountain.  There is one, short, steep segment that may require some scrambling.  Optional hike to top of Castle Rock.  Bring wildflower ID books and cameras, there’s no telling what we will see!

Hike Mileage:

2-4 miles RT.

Altitude Gain:

619 ft to top of mesa.

Starting:
5,700 ft.

Highest:
6,319 ft (Castle Rock).

Auto Mileage:

14 miles RT.

Please pay your driver $1.40

Leader:

Hannah
Angela
Call Hannah.

Meet at:  4th & Union Park-n-Ride. 
Time:  9:00 AM

Day:
Saturday
Date:
June 21

Place:  TBD

General Location:

Description:

Hike Mileage:

Altitude Gain:


Starting:

Highest:

Auto Mileage:

Leader:

Steve

Meet at:

Time: 


Day:
Saturday
Date:
June 28

Place:  Loch Vale
General Location:  Rocky Mountain National Park, Glacier Gorge Trailhead
Description:  Moderate hike.  The trail skirts the rim of a ravine along Glacier Creek past aspen groves to beautiful Alberta Falls.  Views of Mummy Range with Mount Ypsilon and Lumpy Ridge to the north and Flattop Mountain and Hallett Peak (two summits of the Continental Divide) to the west.  Ascend switchbacks covering 400 feet in 0.8 mile prior to reaching the Loch – the destination of this hike.  The many boulders around the lake provide a picnic area with a backdrop of cascading falls, glaciers and avalanche tracks.  It could be very windy at this point.  Don’t forget your camera!  Park passes required.  Expected time back at the park-n-ride, 3:00-4:00 PM?

Hike Mileage:

5.4 miles RT.

Altitude Gain:

940 ft.

Starting:
9240 ft.
Highest:
10180 ft.

Auto Mileage:

120 miles RT.

Please pay your driver $12.00

Leader:

Barb
Rhonda

Call Rhonda

Meet at:  88th and I-25 ( Thornton) Park-n-Ride.
Time:  7:00 AM

Home | Happy Hikers Calendar | Members Handout | Photo Page | Contact Us