Beginner Hiking

[Westerngal]

You can't really go wrong with the state parks. They're great. Also St Mary's Glacier and RMNP. What a time they will have!!!

[OtisUnzipped]

You might think about something along the Colorado Trail. Close with easy access to the start of most of the stages and a lot of it is pretty easy.
http://www.coloradotrail.org/

Have a great time where ever you decide to go!

[Fleischco]

These may be far too easy for your requirements but are nice hikes none the less (also noting your southern Denver area location)
1. Devil's Head Fire Lookout off Rampart Range Rd-great views but stairs to get to the lookout
2. Castlewood Canyon near Franktown-suprisingly nice canyon and hikes
3. Spruce Mountain near Greenland/Larkspur-new Doug Co park/open space great views on top

[indianhillsted]

Nice easy hike near Denver is always Chief Mountain off Squaw Pass. Nice view of Evans and gets them above the trees a bit. It's not long at all.

+1
Best flatlander hike around IMO

[saddlestradler]

Most likely too late to help but a quick and rather easy hike to a small summit is Vasquez Peak off of the top of Berthoud Pass. It's about a 50 minute hike through the trees heading South with an easy going path to follow that ends up at about 12,100-12,200. You are never really out of view of highway 40 as it winds along up and over Berthoud. All told it takes about 1.5 hours that even someone from Florida could do. [quote][/quote]






"when you get to the summit you are only half way done"...

[KeithK]

Most likely too late to help but a quick and rather easy hike to a small summit is Vasquez Peak off of the top of Berthoud Pass. It's about a 50 minute hike through the trees heading South with an easy going path to follow that ends up at about 12,100-12,200. You are never really out of view of highway 40 as it winds along up and over Berthoud. All told it takes about 1.5 hours that even someone from Florida could do.

Not sure what you were aiming for, but Vasquez Peak is a good 3 or 4 miles farther west than you describe: http://www.summitpost.org/route/160360/ ... -pass.html. About 12 miles RT from Berthoud Pass, but looks like a cool hike.