If you’re looking for a short easy hike near Denver that is suitable for pretty much ANYone, try the loop at Echo Lake in the Mt. Evans Wilderness Area. It’s a great destination to take out-of-towners for fabulous views of the Rockies without having to expend a lot of energy. This gentle one-mile trail circles around the lake and also has access to several other incredible hiking trails, including those leading to Chicago Lakes, Bear Track Lakes, and the summit of Mt. Evans.
Flickr/messycupcakes Echo Lake Park was acquired in 1920, spans over 616 acres, and is Denver’s only subalpine park, resting at 10,600.'
Flickr/Scott Ingram The centerpiece is this 24-acre naturally occurring lake formed by a glacial moraine.
Flickr/David Herrera The prime time to visit Echo Lake is in the early morning when the waters are still, and the reflections of the Rockies are unparalleled.
Flickr/Kent Kanouse It’s a pristine spot for fishing and viewing the local wildlife…
Flickr/Tom Benson …like this adorable golden-mantle ground squirrel…
Flickr/Charlie Hallin …or this lovely little mallard hen…
Flickr/Tom Benson …or this Colorado chipmunk.
Flickr/Wally Gobetz Enjoy a picnic at the old stone picnic shelter built around 1924 or dine at the historic Elk Lake Lodge, an authentic log structure built in 1926, which now houses a restaurant and gift shop with an abundance of western souvenirs.
Flickr/Wally Gobetz As you explore around the park, take notice of the unique subalpine ecosystem containing forests of limber pine, bristlecone pine, englemann spruce, and subalpine fir.
Flickr/Kent Kanouse Also note that the wetlands (or fens) provide an important wildlife habitat for indigenous and migratory animals, so stay on the trail and leave no trace!
Flickr/Michael Levine-Clark It’s a pretty popular spot (especially on the weekends), but serenity, solitude, and photo opportunities abound for those who arrive at daybreak or sundown, when the light is ethereal and ever-changing.
Flickr/Kamal Hamid
Flickr/Michael Levine-Clark Here the blue hour of twilight ends with dawn, and it’s a truly magical moment.
Flickr/Max and Dee Bernt Echo Lake is also a fantastic spot for spectacular celestial observations such the Milky Way seen here from the frozen lakeshore.
Flickr/Gouldy And when you’ve gotten your fill of Echo Lake Park, continue on the historic byway to the summit of Mt. Evans and be sure to stop and take in all the vista views along the way.
What is your favorite easy hike near Denver? Share your short and scenic trails in the comments!
Flickr/messycupcakes
Echo Lake Park was acquired in 1920, spans over 616 acres, and is Denver’s only subalpine park, resting at 10,600.'
Flickr/Scott Ingram
The centerpiece is this 24-acre naturally occurring lake formed by a glacial moraine.
Flickr/David Herrera
The prime time to visit Echo Lake is in the early morning when the waters are still, and the reflections of the Rockies are unparalleled.
Flickr/Kent Kanouse
It’s a pristine spot for fishing and viewing the local wildlife…
Flickr/Tom Benson
…like this adorable golden-mantle ground squirrel…
Flickr/Charlie Hallin
…or this lovely little mallard hen…
…or this Colorado chipmunk.
Flickr/Wally Gobetz
Enjoy a picnic at the old stone picnic shelter built around 1924 or dine at the historic Elk Lake Lodge, an authentic log structure built in 1926, which now houses a restaurant and gift shop with an abundance of western souvenirs.
As you explore around the park, take notice of the unique subalpine ecosystem containing forests of limber pine, bristlecone pine, englemann spruce, and subalpine fir.
Also note that the wetlands (or fens) provide an important wildlife habitat for indigenous and migratory animals, so stay on the trail and leave no trace!
Flickr/Michael Levine-Clark
It’s a pretty popular spot (especially on the weekends), but serenity, solitude, and photo opportunities abound for those who arrive at daybreak or sundown, when the light is ethereal and ever-changing.
Flickr/Kamal Hamid
Here the blue hour of twilight ends with dawn, and it’s a truly magical moment.
Flickr/Max and Dee Bernt
Echo Lake is also a fantastic spot for spectacular celestial observations such the Milky Way seen here from the frozen lakeshore.
Flickr/Gouldy
And when you’ve gotten your fill of Echo Lake Park, continue on the historic byway to the summit of Mt. Evans and be sure to stop and take in all the vista views along the way.
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