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!
Alderfer Three Sisters Park near Evergreen
Just a few minutes outside Evergreen, this park has so many trail combinations it needs two parking lots! Since there are over 1100 acres and 15 miles of trails, you can pretty much plan anything from a short picnic loop to a rigorous climb up to the Brothers outlook or the summit of Evergreen Mountain.
A great hike with tiny toddlers:
Park at the West Trailhead and walk the Bluebird Meadow trail for just under a half mile. This super short loop is almost perfectly flat so kids as young as two can manage it. Be sure to take your time and view bugs along the way. When my kiddo was a pre-schooler it took us a couple hours to do this loop because we examined everything!
A perfect pre-lunch route:
Park at the East Trailhead and take the Sisters Trail plus the Ponderosa Trail. For about three miles you’ll get good incline up and down, great views of the southern Rockies, and at the top you’ll be right under the gorgeous Three Sisters rock formations. Grab a map at the trailhead so you can track your route. I have hiked this park so many times I finally have a few routes memorized, but it is easy to get mixed up and turn a three mile hike into a longer one!
For views and a peak climb:
If you have a half day and are ready for a spectacular summit hike, do the 6.5 mile climb up Evergreen Mountain. You’ll park at either the East or West Trailhead and cross over Buffalo Park Rd to get started.
The whole park is mixed-use so bikers and hikers share the trails.
When you’re done, head back into Evergreen for lunch. Beau Jo’s has epic pizza pies with a crust so thick they give you a bottle of honey to put on the last bits. Or Murphy’s Mountain Grill has a black cherry crusted salmon that melts in your mouth! And if you end up coming back to Evergreen to hear some live music at the Little Bear, you’ll see my friend’s bra hanging from the ceiling… don’t ask.
GPS Locator: 30357 Buffalo Park Rd, Evergreen
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
REALTOR®
303-868-8769
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