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The foothills rising on Denver's western horizon are more than stunning. They're home to intriguing rock formations, pristine mountain parks and rich history. And, less than an hour from your front door, you can watch buffalo graze and see Jurassic dinosaur tracks.
Three key locations anchor the foothills' main attractions — Golden, Lookout Mountain and Morrison. Each offers outdoor adventure, museums and unique sights. You can tailor individual outings based on your specific interests, such as hiking or railroad history, or sample several attractions at once on a scenic byway tour.
GOLDEN
Nestled along Clear Creek between the Front Range foothills and the Table Mountains, Golden offers a breadth of activities. Many sites celebrate the community's early role as Colorado's territorial capital and supply center for booming gold mines.
For example, Clear Creek History Park, a living history museum, depicts the lifestyle of early homesteaders in cabins, farm structures and other period buildings. The Golden Pioneer Museum features artifacts of early settlers. And the Colorado Railroad Museum exhibits a vast collection of historic locomotives and railcars. On select weekends, rail buffs can ride a half-mile track in an authentic steam locomotive.
You can also learn about products and activities that relate to contemporary life. Free tours at Coors Brewing Company explain the beer brewing process, while those at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory describe wind, solar and other leading-edge renewable and energy-efficient technologies.
The newest attraction, the Bradford Washburn American Mountaineering Museum, highlights the achievements of contemporary climbers and the issues they face. Exhibits explore climate change, conservation and other current topics.
For pure fun, go to Heritage Square. The amusement park offers everything from an alpine slide to paddle boats, miniature golf and fishing. The entire family can top off the day enjoying dinner and a melodrama at The Music Hall Dinner Theater.
LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN
A winding, scenic road scales the mountain. Several trails spiral down its slopes, offering families the pleasant option of hiking and wildlife viewing. At the top, Lookout Mountain Nature Center & Preserve orients visitors to the area's migratory birds, wildlife and ponderosa pine forests through exhibits and guided hikes.
Nearby, The Buffalo Bill Museum & Grave features exhibits about legendary William F. "Buffalo Bill" Cody. Among his many feats, he set a record as a Pony Express rider by crossing 322 miles on horseback in less than 22 hours. The collection also relates fascinating stories about his Wild West shows in which Chief Sitting Bull, Annie Oakley and other Old West legends performed. Cody got his nickname from his days as a buffalo hunter for the Kansas-Pacific Railroad. A short distance up the road, you can see Denver's buffalo herd grazing in Genesee Park.
MORRISON
Extraordinary geological features beautify Red Rocks Park, which can be explored on hiking trails or by car. Sandstone formations create the natural Red Rocks Amphitheatre, known for staging top concert, opera and stage productions. At the top of the amphitheater, the visitor center features exhibits about geology, paleontology, the Civilian Conservation Corp that constructed the venue, and memorabilia about decades of performances.
Just as captivating as the red rock formations is nearby Dinosaur Ridge. Sixteen interpretive stops along Alameda Parkway, which crosses the ridge, describe viewable fossils, evidence of ancient beaches and dinosaur tracks. The best way to see them is to park at the visitor center and walk the mile-long stretch. The most striking section shows more than 300 footprints left by two types of dinosaurs — the three-pronged prints of ostrich-sized ornithomimuses and the crescent-shaped tracks of iguanodons.
Top off your outing with lunch or a snack in nearby quaint Morrison.
From an afternoon to a full day of exploring, you'll find fun and adventure in the foothills of metro Denver.
DAY TRIP
The Lariat Loop, a Colorado Scenic and Historic Byway, forms a 40-mile lasso that connects Golden, Lookout Mountain, Evergreen and Morrison. Towering sandstone pillars mark the historic gateway, just west of the juncture of 19th Street and Hwy. 6 in Golden. The route winds up Lookout Mountain, whose steep slopes attract hikers and mountain bikers. At the top, Lookout Mountain Nature Center & Preserve acquaints visitors with the local ecosystem. Nearby, the Buffalo Bill Museum & Grave chronicles William F. Cody's legendary life.
Continuing west, the byway parallels Interstate 70 to the Genesee Park exit. A herd of bison grazes in Genesee Mountain Park, often within photographing distance. The route then merges onto I-70 west to Exit 252, where it follows Hwy. 74 south to Evergreen. Along the way are several public parks for hiking and picnicking. Evergreen's main street is a great place to shop and have lunch. Up the road, the Hiwan Homestead Museum depicts the lifestyles of early 19th-century residents.
From there, the route winds northeast through narrow Bear Creek Canyon. It enters Morrison, whose main street is lined with quaint shops, and then turns north to Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre. Across the way, hundreds of dinosaur tracks etch Dinosaur Ridge. The Lariat Loop comes full circle in Golden, chock full of more activities and attractions to enjoy.
HELPFUL FACTS
Bradford Washburn American Mountaineering Museum, 303-384-0110, www.americanalpineclub.org/pages/page/26
Buffalo Bill Museum & Grave, 303-526-0747, www.buffalobill.org
Clear Creek History Park, 303-278-3557, www.clearcreekhistorypark.org
Colorado Railroad Museum, 303-279-4591, www.crrm.org
Coors Brewing Company, 303-277-BEER, www.coors.com/brews_tours.asp
Dinosaur Ridge, 303-697-3466, www.dinoridge.org
Golden Pioneer Museum, 303-278-7151, www.goldenpioneermuseum.com
Heritage Square, 303-279-2789, www.heritagesquare.info
Lariat Loop Scenic and Historic Byway, 720-971-9649, www.lariatloop.org
Lookout Mountain Nature Center & Preserve, 303-526-0594, http://co.jefferson.co.us/openspace/openspace_T56_R14.htm
National Renewable Energy Laboratory, 303-384-6565, www.nrel.gov/visiting_nrel/
Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre, 303-296-4444, www.redrocksonline.com
Published in buzz in the 'burbs, July/August 2008
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