I had the opportunity on Mother’s Day 2017 to spend the day with my youngest son, Nathan. My eldest son, Daniel, lives in Texas and wasn’t able to join us, and my husband was visiting his mother in Missouri. It was an unusually warm spring day in Colorado, so we decided to hit the trails for a hike.
I’m not much for winter activities during Colorado’s cold months, but in the spring, summer, and early fall, I spend as much time outdoors as possible. Colorado offers countless breathtaking hiking trails, many close to the Denver metro area, with even more just a short drive away in the Rocky Mountains.
We chose Castlewood Canyon State Park near Franktown because it’s close to home and the views are hard to beat. The park’s main attraction and historical landmark is the remains of Castlewood Dam. Built in 1890, the dam collapsed in August 1933 after a severe rainstorm filled the reservoir beyond capacity. More than a billion gallons of water surged over 40 miles, flooding the nearby city of Denver.
Almost from the time it was built, the dam leaked and continued to do so for years. Age and lack of maintenance eventually caused it to give way. Today, all that remains is a rocky structure, and the channel where the water once broke through is now a dry, grassy stretch of land.
Both fortunate and unfortunate, only one person lost their life in the flood, though property damage was immeasurable.
Today, Castlewood Canyon State Park features a variety of hiking trails, along with a protected nature area that is home to wildlife and fascinating geological features. Trails leading to the dam range from moderate to difficult.
We chose the Inner Canyon and Lake Gulch Trail, a moderate 1.16-mile hike that winds through the canyon along the creek and leads directly to the dam. With a comfortable 73-degree temperature, a light breeze, and warm sunshine, the day was perfect for hiking. The round trip to and from the dam took us about two hours.
It was a memorable and joy-filled Mother’s Day spent with my son. I love experiencing everything Colorado has to offer in the summer, and hiking sits at the very top of my list. With its seemingly endless network of trails, hiking should be a must-do for anyone visiting Colorado during the warmer months because if you didn’t already know, there’s far more to Colorado than its world-class skiing.