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 whether you’re 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!
They have the funniest names: Pick-n-Sledge to Grubsteak and Sluicebox!
If you are up for a fun 1.5 to 2 hour hike that gives you a great work out check out Apex Park! I used to do this hike after work all the time because in the late afternoon it’s shady and most of the bike and hiking traffic is gone. This hike is just a minute from downtown Golden which makes it one of the most accessible hikes from the west side.
Jeffco Open Space completed a lovely trail head a few years ago and there is a potty and excellent signage. You’ll get right into it with an incline that starts from the parking lot and proceeds up for 1.7 miles. This section of the hike is sunny and warm… OK, it’s pretty freaking hot in the summer! Enjoy the views and drink plenty of water.
You’ll get to an intersection where you can make a couple decisions… the shortest route keeps you on Pick-n-sledge (.6 miles), or take Grubsteak to Bonanza (1 mile), or the longest route keeps you on Grubsteak all the way to the next intersection (1.5 miles). All three of these routes are pretty flat and spectacularly shady and offer views of the city below. If you’re new to the area, see if you can identify the reservoirs and main streets! Elk and deer frequent the area so have your camera ready.
The downhill portion of this hike is two miles and goes really quickly. You’ll be along the Lena Gulch creek and wildlife abounds. One time a fox followed us for a couple miles and when I turned around, he’d stop and wait for us to keep going… I mean seriously!
A quick note about sharing the trail
This park is heavily trafficked by mountain bikers, and in some cases, BMX riders park at the Lookout Mountain Nature Center and ride all the way downhill where they have a car pick them up. Because of this, there are strict rules that require bike traffic to go one direction on odd number days. This means hikers can avoid routes where bikers approach from behind going down hill.
Butterfly habitat
Jefferson County has recently begun designating parts of their system for wildlife preservation. We are lucky that Apex Park has a huge butterfly habitat and there is no access by visitors to this area!
After Hiking
Grabbing a beer after this hike is practically mandatory since there are so many local breweries nearby! Check out New Terrain, Over Yonder, CODA, Golden City, and Cannonball Creek! And if you have never done it before, the Coors Brewery Tour is super informative… and they have a free tasting room at the end.
If you want to live nearby
Local real estate in Golden is pricy and competitive! Here are are few of my favorite neighborhoods near Apex: Mesa View Estates ($800k-$1.5m), Golden Ridge and Lakota Hills ($500k-$800k), West Pleasant View ($400k-$600k). Search listings here!
Trailhead GPS: 121 Heritage Rd, Golden
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
