Trekking this autumn in beautiful Douglas County
by Patte Smith
Soon the leaves with be turning colors and the days will cool down — time for families, friends and residents of Douglas County to strap on those hiking shoes, pack a picnic and head outdoors.
Open space areas and trails abound in this beautiful county and details about all of them can be found online at www.douglas.co.us/openspace.com. Here is a glimpse of a few of the gems that surround the area.
Close at hand it the Glendale Open Space Trail which also features a 17-acre off-leash dog area. This trail offers views up top of the entire Front Range. It is located east of I-25 off the frontage road just north of Castle Pines Parkway.
Cherry Creek Regional Trail, which is planned to run from Cherry Creek State Park to Castlewood Canyon, offers approximately 17 completed miles for hikers, horses, runners and bicyclists. Dogs must be on a leash. This trail is easily accessible from various areas. Great for a family picnic at the various shelters and with restrooms nearby.
A trail for use only by hikers, Gateway Mesa Open Space, is located east of Castle Rock on the south side of Highway 86. Home to raptors, migratory birds, wild turkey, mule deer, elk, fox, coyote, bobcats, mountain lion and rattlesnakes, this area features a forested canyon and Mitchell Gulch, a beautiful tributary of Cherry Creek. Adjoining this area, the Hidden Mesa Open Space offers multi-use trails for horses, mountain bikes and hiking; dogs must be on leash.
While a little further away this area is well worth the drive. The Greenland Trail winds through native grasslands, by ponds, through rolling scrub oak hills and skirts ponderosa pine forests. Hikers can enjoy views of the Greenland open space, buttes and Pikes Peak. This scenic hike is south of Larkspur four miles and north of Palmer Lake.
Home to deer, elk, bear and mountain lions, the Dawson Butte Ranch Trail winds through some forested areas and also offers views of the Front Range. This incredible area is located southwest of Castle Rock and has five miles of hiking trails.
Remember when hiking that these natural areas are home to many animals; be aware and have respect for their habitat. For information, maps and trail guides for the many open space hiking areas in Douglas County log on to www.douglas.co.us/openspace.com or contact Douglas County Open Space and Natural Resources at 303-660-7495.
