Top 14er for amateurs

Grays Peak

How to get there: Take Interstate 70 to Exit 221 at Bakerville. Go south to Forest Road 189. Stay straight at the junction and follow the Grays Trail sign. The road circles Kelso Mountain, ending at the trailhead.

Top fly-fishing spot

Cheeseman Canyon, below Cheeseman Reservoir

How to get there: From Denver, drive south on Hwy. 85 (Sante Fe Drive) about 20 miles to Sedalia. Turn right onto Highway 67. Drive about 18 miles southwest to the river junction. At the T-intersection, turn south onto County Road 97 (South Platte Road). At Deckers, take County Road 126 to the trailhead. The river is about a 20- to 25-minute hike.

Top place feathered feature

Chico Basin Ranch

How to get there: From Interstate 25, take Exit 122 east to Old Pueblo Road. Follow the signs to Hanover. Take a hard right just north of Fountain Creek Bridge to Hanover Road. Follow Hanover Road approximately 13 miles east to Peyton Highway, where you’ll reach a stop sign. Take a right (south) on Peyton Highway and go 1 mile to Chico Basin Ranch Gate. The ranch headquarters is 4 miles south of the gate.

Top wildflower hike

Herman Gulch Trail

How to get there: Head west on Interstate 70, take Exit 218 3 miles west of Bakerville.

Top four-wheeling trail

Mount Antero

How to get there: If you have your own 4-wheel drive vehicle, take Highway 285 south from Denver. You will come to a T in the road at Johnson Village. Head to Buena Vista. From Buena Vista, head south to the small town of Nathrop. At the south end of town is a right turn (County Road 162) that will take you toward the Mount Princeton Hot Springs. Take this road west for 12.5 miles to the labeled left turn for Mount Antero. You can take the 4-wheel road to the top. If you don’t have a vehicle, check with a 4-wheel outfitter for directions.

Top paragliding launch

Lookout Mountain in Golden

How to get there: Take 6th Avenue west to Golden Turn left onto Lariat Trail (19th Street). Follow the winding road to the top of scenic Lookout Mountain.

Top public lake for water-skiing

Boyd Lake in Loveland

How to get there: Go north on Interstate 25 toward Fort Collins. Take exit 257B (Hwy. 34 West) to Madison Avenue. Take a right on Madison and follow the state park signs.

Top river tubing

Big Thompson River above Sylvan Dale Ranch

How to get there: Go north on Interstate 25 toward Fort Collins. Take exit 257B (Hwy. 34 West). Head west until you see the river, about 15 miles from the Interstate. Sylvan Dale Ranch will be on your right. Look for pullouts along the canyon route.

Top bike loop for road cyclers of all levels

Cherry Creek State Park

How to get there: Take Interstate 225. Take Exit 4 onto South Parker Road.

Top mountain-bike ride with a view of Denver

Castle Trail at Mount Falcon

How to get there: Head west on I-70 for 5 miles. Turn south on C-470. Continue for 5.6 miles to the Morrison exit. Head into town and turn left at the third stoplight, following the signs for Highways 8 and 285. Turn right on Forest Avenue and follow signs for Mount Falcon. Castle Trail is at the main entrance of Mount Falcon.

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