Another new hike...we could spend the rest of our lives finding new hikes in Colorado. Today's choice is in Genesee Park. Just a short drive on Interstate 70, take the Chief Hosa exit to the right and right again onto a dirt/sand road to the trail head. Just to remind us we are in the wild and large animals could join us on our hike, a bear left us a smelly "gift" right in front of the trail map at the trail head! Yuck!
We decided to start with the Braille Trail. This was a cool trail for the visually impaired. Multiple signs along the trail explain the biology, geology and history of the trail. All signs included a braille translation and the trail is fenced to allow safe travel for non-sighted persons. It was quite pretty, including flowers, creeks, butterflies and birds!
The Braille Trail loops back to the parking lot, however, we choose to cross the wooden bridge and start the Beaver Brook Trail.
The trail was a bit rough and narrow. We had a real sense of isolation, but other hikers would show up from time to time. The trail seemed quite hilly as it went around the side of the mountain. A lot of climbing up, then climbing down. Really beautiful forests! Eventually the creek started to flow much faster and the boulders got much larger. This was the low point of the hike. The hike continued on the other side of the creek and the trail appears to work its way up the next mountain and east towards Lookout Mountain. This would be a long hike and it would be best if a car were left at the other end. Since we only had one car, we opted to hike back to the parking lot from the low point. You know those "ups" and "downs" I mentioned before, well somehow it seemed straight up as we came out. I think we had a lot more "downs" than "ups" on the way to the low point...I just did not notice the "downs" as much as I was noticing the "ups" on the way back out!
Really liked this hike! Would start earlier and might drop a car at the other end if I were going to attempt the longer hike.
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