Finding the Wow! in Reynolds Park

🌲I love love love these long summer days! The sun is setting right around 8:30pm so there is plenty of time to get out on an adventure after putting in a full work day.

Tonight I ventured out to Reynolds Park, a Jefferson County Open Space Park, in Conifer, Colorado (about 30 minutes from my home in Lakewood).

🗺 My objective tonight:

Elkhorn Trail ↗️Raven’s Roost ↗️ Eagle’s View Trail ↘️ Oxen Draw Trail↘️ Elkhorn Trail

📶 Stats from the All Trails app for this route:

4.1 miles and 1,059 feet of gain

The trailhead has paper maps to take with on your hike if you are unfamiliar with the area, plus restrooms and picnic areas. The start of the trail is relatively flat, but that changes rather quickly.

Yay! for shady trails in the summer heat, especially on an uphill climb. ☀️🌲

The trail rewards you with some lovely views after 20 minutes or so of hiking.

Sweaty selfie. Decent workout on the trek up to 8,169 feet. Huff….puff….

And apparently bees like my scent because one chased me for a quarter mile. 🐝

Getting closer to the peak. The trail is deserted. I encountered only two couples the entire evening. The trails are well defined and all intersections are marked with easy to follow signage. No bikes allowed on these particular trails.

And then, just like that…..WOW!!! Jaw dropping views!

These pics don’t do these views justice. Truly stunning. 🌲🌄

Downhill is through the trees and several switchbacks.

A little rockier than the trail up. Shorter, but steeper on the route down. Watch your footing. 👣👣👣

The trail down was magical. There were lots of delicate wildflowers among the thick green forest floor. A sea of green! 🌲🌳🌿

Tons of pink, white, purple, yellow, and orange wildflowers along trail. In this pic, the trail is in the background.

Reynolds Park also has camping by permit which is uncommon in Jeffco Open Space Parks 🏕. The sites are about a half mile from the parking area just down the road from the trailhead parking area.

For more info, click here:

https://www.jeffco.us/1429/Reynolds-Park