Hike Club Beginner Hikes

I'm constantly talking to people who have not hiked, the most common reason they cite is that they want to do a beginner hike first. I have planned a couple beginner hikes but typically i do not get any new members. It's frustrating to plan a short hike for newbs then none show and the HC veterans feel unfulfilled.
This is my solution, to provide the information necessary to do your own beginner hikes.

These are hikes picked specifically for Hike Club beginners. They are all under 5 miles and have low elevation change. They are all on Jeffco open space parks where there are maps available at the trail head.

What to bring:

REI has a ton of resources about outdoor activity.
http://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/hiking.html
Here is their basic hiking gear list. 

http://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/day-hiking-checklist.html

While their list is extensive, its not all necessary for these hikes. I think these are good if your deeper in the mountains. While your within sight of downtown you wont need to build a fire, or shelter; your priorities should be a map, water and warmth.

For these hikes this is what you really need:

1. Navigation

• Map (with protective case) - Get it at the trail head
• GPS (optional) - i really like having it even when i'm by myself.

2. Sun protection

• Sunscreen
• Lip balm
• Sunglasses
• Sun Hat

3. Insulation

• Clothes to suit the weather. Look at the forecast, know what is expected before you hike. You wouldn't wear flip-flopps, shorts, and a t-shirt to build a snow man. Dress the part, If it's cold wear more clothes
• Dress in Layers: T-Shirt, warm shirt, pants/shorts, running shoes (only if there is no snow on the ground) or boots.
• Waterproof layer - cold is fine but wet and cold is a killer. even if there is no rain/snow in the forecast bring your waterproof layer, Even if it's a trash bag or emergency poncho.

4. Illumination (not necessary)

5. First-aid supplies (not necessary)

6. Fire (not necessary)

7. Repair kit and tools (not necessary)

8. Nutrition

• Light snack - granola bar, GORP, nuts

9. Hydration

• Water bottles or Hydration system - 1 Quart per person

10. Emergency shelter (not necessary)

Where to go:

Jeffco has excellent sites for it's parks, Jeffco Parks map. you can find links to those parks Here, scroll down the Open Space Parks section. They also have driving directions to the park as well as a address you can put in google and get your own directions on your mobile or car GPS.

These hikes are close to Denver and relatively short. pay attention to the distance and elevation change, these stats are the most important in determining difficulty of any hike. I have linked the Jeffco sites about each one of the parks. Use these sites to know what you will be getting into. They have a link to a downloadable PDF of the same map you'll pick up at the trail head. Also, the Trail Profile link will tell you elevation change of the trails so you can plan your route. This is the exact same process i use to plan Hike Club outings.

Matthews/Winters Park

http://jeffco.us/parks/parks-and-trails/matthews-winters-park/

Just north of Red Rocks, South of I-70. This is a great beginner park, very low elevation change, just watch out for the Biker only trails. There are many options that range from less than a mile up to 4.4 miles. 

<1 mile, under 200 feet:

Follow the village walk trail to the junction with the Red rocks trail, then return the way you came.

2.4 miles, 500 feet:

Go South on the Village Walk trail to the Red Rocks trail. Follow Red Rock Trail to the northern junction of the Morrison Slide trail. Return the way you came. If you're not exhausted climb to the top of the hill on the Morrison slide trail. It is steep for half a mile, but the view from the top is excellent.

4.4 miles, 1100 feet:

Go South on the Village Walk trail to the Red Rocks trail. Follow Red Rock Trail to the junction of the Morrison Slide trail. Follow Morrison Slide to the southern junction of the Red Rocks trail. Follow Red Rocks north to Village walk back to the trail head.

Elk Meadow Park

http://jeffco.us/parks/parks-and-trails/elk-meadow-park/

Just off of the Evergreen parkway between i-70 and Evergreen

3 miles, 500 feet 

From the Lewis Ridge Parking lot, Follow Sleepy "S" west  to Elk Ridge to Meadow View Trail. Go south back to Sleepy "S" and follow it to the parking lot.

3.2 miles, 800 feet

From the Lewis Ridge Parking lot, Follow Sleepy "S" East to Painters Pause north to Founders Trail, Take Meadow View south to Elk Ridge Trail and Sleepy "S" to the Parking lot.

5 miles, 1100 feet

From the Stagecoach Boulevard Parking lot, Follow Meadow trail to the Sleepy "S" past the other parking lot to Painters Pause north to Founders Trail, Take Meadow View south to Meadow trail to the Parking lot.

Deer Creek Canyon Park

http://jeffco.us/parks/parks-and-trails/deer-creek-canyon-park/

South West of C-470 and Ken Caryl Road

2.7 miles, 700 feet

Take Meadowlark trail to the junction with the Plymouth Creek trail back to the parking lot.

Also in this area are South Valley Park and Hildebrand Ranch Park, I've not been to these parks, nut they have low elevation change and many trails. Here's your chance to pick your own route.

I will be planning some more all Hike Club Beginner hikes, but don;t wait for me. If the weather is nice and you've got a couple hours GO HIKE!