It drops into a sandy arroyo dotted with yucca and juniper before traversing the wide-open grassland to the base of West Pawnee Butte.
The trail travels through Pawnee National Grassland, a top bird-watching destination that’s also known for its kaleidoscopic wildflower array. From the area’s slightly less-ancient sediments, archeologists have unearthed fossilized skeletons of prehistoric creatures, including three-toed horses, rhino-like animals, and cow-sized swine. This trail should be on every serious Colorado hiker’s list, if only just to behold the iconic twin monoliths rising dramatically from the prairie, which were eroded by an ancient sea. The exit is a bridge crossing and quick ascent to the top of the canyon. The canyon walls contain 34-million-year-old flood rubble and resemble “cookie dough with bits of chocolate chips sticking out,” according to park literature. Along the Gambel oak–lined inner canyon, side trails coax hikers to sandy beaches and mammoth boulders, which are perfect spots to splash in the water or watch raptors soar above the cliffs. Traverse a blufftop on the Lake Gulch Trail (complete with a view of Pikes Pikes) before dropping into the canyon, where Cherry Creek cuts through the bedrock. (Read more: 28 of the Best Waterfall Hikes in Colorado) Lake Gulch and Inner Canyon LoopĪ melange of unusual boulders, cliffs teeming with wildlife, and enchanting side trails all vie for your attention on this short loop in Castlewood Canyon State Park. Here are six easy hikes, both near the Front Range and farther afield, that capture the beauty of the plains and feature some unexpected finds.
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