Every now and again, I daydream about living in Boulder or Golden or Fort Collins. Since I live in Mississippi, these fantasies peak in late summer, when going outside makes you feel like you’ve crawled into a hot, wet garbage bag and sealed it shut.
Last month, I spent ten days in the Front Range, and it is indeed a paradise of mountain views, dry air, and skinny people who constantly run and bike and ski and climb, pausing only to refuel on beet burgers and kale. But paradise is also a little aggro.
The photo up top, for example, is the trailhead for a fourteener located about an hour outside of Denver. This photo was taken on a weekday.
And here is a photo of me (left) and some guy (right) who drafted and then sprinted past me near the top of Lookout Mountain in Golden:
Did I know that we were racing? No, I did not.
So it’s intense. But despite the crowds and egos, the Front Range is still undeniably awesome. If you go, here’s what you should know:
1. In the Front Range, someone will always be faster than you. Always. Accept it and move on.
2. Lots of trails have use restrictions that regulate when you can ride and which direction you can go. Check before you go.
3. Boulder County makes nonresidents pay to park at some of its trailheads. Bring cash or go next door to Jefferson County, which has some of my favorite open space anywhere.
4. If you mountain bike, trail run, or hike, get out on the trails during the work week to avoid mind-boggling congestion.
5. Roadies, however, should climb Lookout Mountain on a Saturday morning. Cars cede the road to cyclists, and it’s downright inspiring to see so many people riding.
6. Run or ride the Centennial Cone loop: long, lovely, and challenging; it’s one of those rare trails that’s equally pleasing to runners and mountain bikers alike. The route lacks shade, so go in the morning.
7. Ride into the wind above tree line on Mt. Evans, following North America’s highest paved road to the summit. Avoid Saturdays, when traffic is awful. And don’t go if you’re not acclimated to high altitudes; I saw several sad pukers.
8. Save at least some energy to drink fancy cocktails in Denver, where lazy happy hours rule. The deals and outdoor decks are especially good in the Highlands, LoDo, and Capital Hill neighborhoods near downtown.