Hiking
Caribou Ranch. At Caribou Ranch Open Space, the DeLonde Trail to Blue Bird Loop is an easy 4½-mile walk (allow two hours) through forests and wildflower-filled meadows. An elk herd resides on the open space, so listen for bugling in fall. The 1¼-mile DeLonde Trail starts to the left of the trailhead and connects to the Blue Bird Loop just before the former DeLonde homestead site. Take a break at the picnic table overlooking the pond before continuing on the loop to the former Blue Bird Mine complex. No dogs or bikes are allowed, and the loop closes April–June to protect migratory birds and calving elk. Nederland, Colorado, 80466. 303/678–6200; www.bouldercounty.org/open-space/parks-and-trails/caribou-ranch.
Indian Peaks Wilderness. Offering some of the area's most popular hiking, Indian Peaks Wilderness encompasses more than 50 lakes, 133 miles of trails, and six mountain passes crossing the Continental Divide. Wildflowers are prolific and peak in late July and early August, when columbine (the state flower) and others mix in a mosaic of colors. Parking at trailheads is limited, so start out early. There's no central access point; contact the U.S. Forest Service or check the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests website for trail information and driving directions. Permits are required for camping, and dogs must be on leash.
Boulder Ranger District Office, Arapaho National Forest, 2140 Yarmouth Ave., Boulder, Colorado, 80301. 303/541–2500; www.fs.usda.gov.
