Good 1/2 day hike near Denver?

[pbakwin Profile 14er Peak List (53) Trip Reports]

I'm looking for a good 6-ish hour hike (current conditions, strong hikers) to a summit of any height within an hour or so of Littleton. Prefer not to have to use snowshoes, but wouldn't rule it out. My bro is coming from out of town & won't be bringing a lot of gear. Normally, we'd go to the IPW or RMNP, but we're meeting people for an early dinner in Littleton... Thoughts???? Thanks!!!

[dehrlich101 Profile 14er Peak List (37) 14ers in Winter (2)13er Peak List (9)Trip Reports]

Check out Rosalie in the Mount Evans Wilderness. 9.5 miles with 4280 elevation gain. The Deer Creek Trailhead is 45 min - 1 hr from Denver. Its a nice hike, lots of bristol cone pines around tree line. Not sure how much snow they got in that area but I'm guessing it'll be doable without snowshoes, the trail had no snow on it when I did it on 11/30.

http://www.summitpost.org/east-ridge-via-tanglewood-creek/160694

[Tory Wells Profile 14er Peak List (39) 13er Peak List (15)Trip Reports]

There just aren't a lot of good mountains to climb down here, sad to say. At least compared to Boulder. But like Dehrlich said, the Mount Evans Wilderness is within an hour, as is the Lost Creek Wilderness. You can make a long day out of hiking/running Bison Peak in the LCW from the Bailey side. Not quite sure of the distance but I think it is in the neighborhood of 20 miles or more RT. It is a shorter hike from the Tarryall side, but a much longer drive. Not that YOU would ever be one to shy away from a long hike, Peter.

Of course, you can get to the Eisenhower Tunnel from here in an hour or so, so plenty of options up that way. James Peak Wilderness, Loveland Pass, Guanella Pass, etc.

[DaveSwink Profile 14er Peak List (37) 14ers in Winter (12)13er Peak List (4)Trip Reports]

Deer Creek Canyon Park right in Littleton has some very pleasant trails if you want something really close. I think hiking to the summit is probably around six miles and just over 1K.

[Tory Wells Profile 14er Peak List (39) 13er Peak List (15)Trip Reports]

On second thought, Bison Peak is not a good idea this time of year. The trails in the LCW become very hard to follow when snow covered, especially for someone new to the area.

How about Bergen Peak (9708') from Elk Meadow Open Space? 2100' vertical gain on a 9 mile RT. Good views from the top.

[MountainHiker Profile Website 14er Peak List (58) 14ers in Winter (2)13er Peak List (92)Trip Reports]

Mt Falcon has a few high points that can be combined to get a couple thousand feet along with enough trails to do a mostly different return trip. It’s between Morrison & 285.

[jaymz Profile 14er Peak List (8) Trip Reports]

Much less than 6 hours required, but Mt. Morrison is a nice little summit that's just as close as Mt. Falcon or Plymouth Peak (Deer Creek Canyon), but more of a "climb" than those two, with better views (in my opinion).

[Derek Profile Website 14er Peak List (33) 14ers in Winter (5)13er Peak List (59)Trip Reports]

Legault Mountain is one of my favorite close by hikes. GREAT views for a smaller peak (9er), easy day (5ish miles, 12-1400') and a short bushwhack at the last .25 miles for some navigation fun.

Easy starting at the Meyer Ranch OS parking too.

http://www.summitpost.org/legault-mountain/151607

--D

[pbakwin Profile 14er Peak List (53) Trip Reports]

Thanks! Rosalie sounds good. Anyone have a clue about conditions? Snowshoes?

[lpyle Profile 14er Peak List (15) 14ers in Winter (1)13er Peak List (14)]

I live close to Rosalie at about 8000'. We only have a couple of inches on the trails near my house. With all the wind, some areas are bare and some have drifted a little deeper, maybe 8-12" in spots. So my guess is that you can probably do it without snowshoes.

[pbakwin Profile 14er Peak List (53) Trip Reports]

Good beta. Thx!

[betterhigh Profile 14er Peak List (35) 14ers in Winter (1)13er Peak List (4)]

I "workout" on Green and Bear - go up from Chautaqua Park in Boulder, up saddle rock trail, greenman trail to top of Green and then up west Ridge trail to Bear (which is open). 2 peaks in 1 hike and great views east and west - traction advised due to snow/ ice which is ever present in some areas. Then down Fern canyon back to chautaqua. Good 11 mile loop and 4200' in 4-6 hours depending on speed. Rosalie is a good steady hike, the Pegamitite rocks are also a great stopping point. treeline can catch a lot of snow so do expect a workout for a hundred vertical feet or so. Going just to Pegamatite saves 1000'+ of vertical with still great city views and may better qualify for 1/2 day then full Rosalie. Have a great hike!