Denver Diaries: Hiking One Solo Adventure at a Time | Part III

Day 3: A Day of Highs: Sunrise to Sunset Hikes Outside the Mile-High City

I finally got back to my hostel very late and only had about two hours of sleep because it was time for my sunrise hike soon. I know I know… not very smart to stay out so late, but that’s the beauty of a solo trip—any mistake made is your own, and you can do whatever you want.

At 5 AM, it was finally time for my sunrise hike in Morrison, Colorado, at the Red Rocks Amphitheatre. As the sun's rays began to rise, they turned the grass golden, although the sun itself was yet to be seen. It was a beautiful sight to behold. We passed huge monoliths formed over billions of years, which truly made me feel small. Our guide shared stories of John B. Walker, who once owned the Red Rocks and called it the Garden of the Titans. He eventually sold the park to the City of Denver for a mere $54,133 (equivalent to $735,129 in today’s money).

About halfway through this 1.5-mile hike, we reached the top of the trail just in time to see the sun appear over the hill. Wow, what an amazing sight! Photos don’t do it justice. The first half of the hike was all downhill and felt like a breeze, but going uphill was a different story. The increased elevation truly tested my physical fitness. I work out 3-5 times a week, and this still kicked my butt.

After the hike, our guide, Karlee, who was amazing in every way, offered breakfast, which she had packed in individual paper bags. Karlee was gracious enough to give me a ride to the top of Red Rocks, where concerts are held. What a beautiful sight! I could see people exercising in the amphitheater—running the steps forward and backward, performing yoga, walking, and even participating in group fitness classes. The sky was so clear that I could see downtown Denver, 16 miles away. AMAZING!

After my first real hiking experience, it was time to head back to Hostel Fish for some much-needed rest. I got back around 7 AM and tried my best to be quiet as I returned to bed. It seemed like others were doing the same while packing up and getting ready to leave the hostel. I got another restful sleep, thanks to a pair of Loop earplugs and a sleep mask that plays nature sounds.

I woke up around 1 PM, giving me enough time to walk to my lunch spot. Wow, the sun was blazing in Denver, the air was dry, and the UV index was higher than in other cities. It’s very important to wear sunscreen or have some sort of UPF clothing to protect your skin.

For lunch, I went to Blue Agave, a modern Mexican restaurant known for its made-from-scratch foods and handmade margaritas and sangrias. They offer plant-based dishes as well, so I had a smothered burrito with marinated tofu, pico de gallo, salsa verde, black beans, rice, and chili-lime tofu crumbles, with a side of chips and salsa, of course! As much as I wanted to try their handcrafted margaritas, I held off because of the big day I have tomorrow. My meal was very filling and delicious, and the service was excellent.

After my filling meal, I headed to Capitol Hill to visit the Colorado State Capitol building, distinguished by its golden dome. I walked up to the Capitol steps to the 13th step, the official one-mile marker. There's an official marker and an engraving that notes, “One Mile Above Sea Level.” During weekdays, the building is open, and they offer free tours. Since today was Sunday, no tours for me. Besides, it was time to head back to Hostel Fish to get changed and meet my guide, Brian, for a sunset hike.

I know what you’re thinking—two hikes in one day? Why, yes! I am adventurous! Originally, the hike was supposed to be a private hike, but someone booked it last minute, saving me some money. Brian was wonderful and offered to pick me up and drop me off for a fee, and being carless in Denver, I said yes! We met the other hiker at Espresso Spirits in Golden, Colorado, where Brian took us to Indian Hills. On the trail, he led us to a giant rock to take some fantastic pictures overlooking the town below. Brian told us he was a photographer and offered to be our "Instagram boyfriend," taking the perfect photos of us. He did a fantastic job!

On the second path, Brian led us to John B. Walker’s castle ruins. (Colorado history is coming together.) His former home was more of a large mansion rather than a castle, but what did they know back then? From there, you could see more of John Walker’s vision. He was building a summer house into the side of the mountain for the U.S. president. However, after his wife passed and his house burned down, he gave up, sold everything, and left.

On the hike, we had a great view of the Red Rocks Amphitheatre. They looked so small from high up. Eventually, we reached a part of the trail that was nothing but uphill, and combined with the large boulders in the ground, it was no easy feat. Who knew the Rocky Mountains were rocky! Remember I said hiking really challenges your physical fitness? Well, this hike did even more. I made it to the peak of this mountain, which was an additional 650 feet, making it the highest point I’ve ever reached—8,110 feet above sea level. WOW! But don’t let that scare you; depending on your physical fitness, Brian knows all the spots to make the trail as easy or as difficult as you’d like.

I was out of breath, but the view was so worth it! Seeing the sunset in the mountains was absolutely beautiful! You could see all the colors change from orange to yellow to blue to pink. The end of that sunset marked the conclusion of this 5-mile hike.

 After an exhilarating day of hiking, exploring Colorado’s natural beauty, and taking in breathtaking views, it was time to wind down and prepare for my final night at Hostel Fish. As I packed up my things and reflected on the day's adventures, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of accomplishment and awe at the experiences I’d had. Stay tuned for more of my Denver Diaries, tomorrow is going to be an exciting day!