Joy on the Trails is a blog series detailing all the incredible hiking trails within an hour of Denver. All the trails featured are accessible to anyone new to hiking, or just wanting to get out without driving for hours into the mountains. I hope you uncover your own joy of hiking and I hope you’re inspired to try a few of my favorite trails. And if you’re so inclined, join me sometime… I’m out there a lot!
Painter’s Pause and Meadow View loop
So I took a hard fall this week hiking in Evergreen at Elk Meadow. In the dead middle of winter, the trails in the foothills are very unpredictable and I got a little cocky. Here’s how it went:
Elk Meadow Park is just off Evergreen Parkway, and there are two trail heads. To take the Painters Pause and Meadow View trails, park at the trailhead just off Lewis Ridge Rd. This route is longish at 4.5 miles and doesn’t have steep incline, and it was just what we were in the mood for.
The lower portion of the trail is through the meadow just off Evergreen Pky and isn’t the most pleasant because of the traffic noise, but one you head up into the forest, it’s lovely! But here’s where it got dicey.
I ALWAYS carry a traction device for my boots when I hike in the winter. Patches of packed snow in the shade settle in like mini ice rinks. So as soon as the trail heads up the mountain with northern exposure, these bad boys are mandatory. After a quick set of switch backs, you’re on a flatter portion of the trail for a couple miles and you are treated to some rich pine forest, as well as grassy meadow views.
There is an important trail junction at the end of the Meadow View trail, and if you don’t make the right decision, you’ll end up at the wrong parking lot - just trust a sister when she tells you, grab a map at the trailhead! But today this sister was full of spunk and trail acumen and made good choices… except for the choice to remove those fabulous ice spikes.
So we’re heading down the south facing portion of the trail and it’s gloriously dry. Until it wasn’t. But I knew we just had less than a half mile to go and, like I said, I got cocky. One step onto a slippery patch and my arse hit the ground hard! I was concerned about my wrist because of course it broke the fall. But glory be to the extra holiday treats in December, my arse was well padded! She’s bruised, but we’ll keep that a secret.
So if you’re in the mood for something long and flat-ish, check out Elk Meadow’s lower loop along Meadow View Trail. But until the end of March, remember your spikes, don’t take them off, and eat plenty of desert!
GPS Locator: 2855 Bergen Peak Dr, Evergreen CO
Managed by: Jefferson County Open Space
Come hiking with me!
If you want more information on this or other trails in the area, please don’t hesitate to reach out! Just like the homes I sell, I can even show it to you in person! And learn more about my Realtor life here.
Joy opp, 303-868-8769, joy@westandmainhomes.com
