Hiking | Parker Homes for Sale - Parker Colorado Real Estate

Featured Homes

Helpful Parker CO Links

Short Sales Info

Neighborhoods

Local Resources

Videos

Fun things to do, hike Peak 8 in Breckenridge Colorado

Sep 6th 11

filed under: Fun Things to Do

Looking for fun things to do in Colorado with kids or just for yourself? Get off the couch and take a hike up Peak 8 in Breckenridge Colorado.

Over Labor Day weekend we took a little walk up Peak 8 to the 13,000 foot summit. It was a pretty easy hike as hikes go in in Colorado but it was fun and worth the effort. The views were amazing and we were very lucky there was no cloud cover and the skies were clear. It may not show on the video below but we could see forever.

So here’s how we did it. My family and a few friends were staying at One Ski Hill Place in Breck. I highly recommend this as your base camp in Breck. We took the scenic lift up to about mid-mountain and took off up the ridge line to the warming hut or ski patrol house that you can easily see from down in town. The climb from the lift to the house was quite steep and the road/trail up there is mostly loose gravel and dirt so traction can be an issue. I found it to be more difficult coming down than going up.

Once you reach the mountain house there is a small trail leading up to the top of the Imperial chair lift. This is the last little stop until you reach the summit at ~ 13,000 feet. The trail from the top of the chair lift to the summit is rocky, loose and a little steep in spots. This was the most difficult section to descend once you have reached the summit. You want to be careful not to twist and ankle.

Overall I would rate it very accessible and a great afternoon hike that will give you great views of the surrounding mountains.

Tags: breckenridge, Colorado, Fun Things to Do, hiking, kids, Parker, peak 8

posted by Steven Beam // Please leave a comment.

Camping with kids in Colorado is big FUN!

Jul 20th 10

filed under: Fun Things to Do

Lake Baldwin in Colorado - Elevation 12,088

Every kid remembers their very first real camping trip. I’m not talking about a tent in the backyard but a real camping trip up in the Colorado high country. I highly suggest it if you are looking for fun things to do with your kids.

Campsite

Last week my 5 year old son and I took a two night camping trip up to Mount Antero outside Buena Vista, Colorado with our great friends and neighbors Steve & Connor Smith.

Adventure Hike around the lake

This was a full on guys camping trip which included the following: adventure hikes, campfires, fishing, NEW pocket knifes for the boys, (all fingers made it home fine) marsh mellows, steak cooked over an open fire, panning for gold in the river, BB gun shooting, a true Colorado weather event with hail, sleet and rain all at once, hiking on a glacier, and yes the coveted brand new wrist rockets (That video is funny) otherwise known as sling shots. Steve & I actually dominated the playing time with the sling shots as we were hurling stones into the lake about 100 yards away. I highly recommend wrist rockets for your next camping trip!

No matter where you decide to go Steve & I both decided that we were going to make every effort on our part to make sure the boys had a great time, were safe and stayed warm.

It can be a daunting task for some kids to jump out of the high tech world we live in and into nature where there are no electronics to entertain them at their whim. Both boys were excellent and not one single complaint was filed about not having a TV or other comforts of home. I was very happy.

View from our camp.

The road up to this campsite was about 1.5 hours of serious 4 wheel drive action. Some of it probably not doable in a smaller SUV with low ground clearance. However or wherever you decide to go isn’t the issue. The main thing is that you get out and enjoy your kids and the Colorado back country.

Other links to fun things to do in and around Parker Colorado.

I still remember my first big camping trip with my Dad and I’m sure these kids will too. It’s amazing how in such a short period of time and at a young age a lifetime of memories can be made. We have been home for over a week now and my son has asked to go camping just about everyday so I’m sure another trip is just around the corner.

“There will always be work excuses and reasons to put off a great trip like this. Life is way too short and we have entirely too little time with our kids as young people to not do something like this. Work can wait so go have fun!”

Tags: buena vista, camping, children, Colorado, Fun Things to Do, hiking, kids, mount antero, steven beam

posted by Steven Beam // Please leave a comment.

Mount Falcon a great place for kids and families.

May 24th 09

filed under: Fun Things to Do

Hiking or biking Mount Falcon another great way to spend the day with your kids. If you are looking for fun things to do around Denver with your kids this is an easy hiking area [from the top] and easily accessible. I’ll discuss the mountain biking below.

Mount Falcon Recreation Map.

Mt Falcon Views

Directions: To get there take US Hwy 285 [Hampden Ave] South out of Denver to Right on Parmalee Gulch Road. Follow Parmalee Gulch about 2.5 miles to Picutis and follow the signs to Mount Falcon Park.

What to expect: The trails up top are wide and easily accessed with strollers with large wheels. There are plenty of picnic areas and overlooks with expansive views. This is an ideal place for small kids and I have a 4 year old and a 1 year old that loved it.

Sites: There are ruins of an old castle and even the spot where a dreamer even wanted to build a summer residence for the President of the US. A summer White House of sorts.

Mountain biking Mt Falcon: To mountain bike Mt. Falcon I suggest starting at the east entrance down in Morrison and climbing up to the top. After a good ride up you are rewarded with a nice downhill back to your car. It’s pretty challenging and I really like this trail. It’s much smoother than a lot of the Front Range single tracks that we have. The trail is passable which makes me happy since I hate bike hiking. I at least want to think I can pass all sections without getting off my bike and this trail offers that.

If you want more details about Mount Falcon or just want to ask me a question about my experiences there Call or EMAIL me Steven Beam at 303-941-4663. Steven is a REALTOR living and working in Douglas County Colorado.