Carpenter Peak

This little 7-8er is deceptively fun.

At first I was thinking it was going to be overly pedestrian because at first it is...

Luckily you have some choices to make pretty quickly on the trail system and selecting Carpenter is where you get to get on with getting on.

The trails in this park go beyond well maintained...I'd almost call them manicured they are so clean. There are all sorts of different sections, just take a look at this forested section.



If I have a gripe about the carpenter peak hike it's that the map is all jacked up. It's listed around 7 miles and approx 1,000 elevation gain. I've got no problem with the trail being something different but because the map is so wrong I have no idea what we actually climbed. I'll have to guess but I'd say it's closer to 8-9 miles and 1,800' elevation gain. It's a long trail and the gain is gradual but steady. There are clearings where you can look back down at the parking lot and it's easy to see you have gained over 1,000'.

There is a roomy summit up top and because you are only 8K up it's super lax. We had 4 people up there when we arrived and another guy rambled up after we all started filtering out. There are plenty of large rocks to sit on and take in the views. Here is a shot looking back at the city off in the distance. I like it because it's typical of what a day off is for me these days. We can get up, have some coffee, grab breakfast, hit a trail, and be back home by lunchtime. Denver is situated in a pretty good place to do this because as you see the city is just right there... Close enough to get out here in 30-40 min. So awesome!



And this one shows some red rocks below. You may have to click the pic to see them.



But as you look in another direction the city is nowhere to be seen...





Because the gain is gradual on this climb we powered up/down it like it was nothing. It's a great training hike for the distance and if you want you can power into this trail. The reports call it something like a strenuous hike but I think that might be because it's in a park and they get a lot of first time hikers. Regulars will probably say it's moderate...long but moderate.

After blazing off the top like we were on fire it was time for some lunch at my favorite sandwich shop. I'd say more about this pulled pork sandwich with jalapeno jack cheese, and homemade slaw on Texas toast but it would only make you cry...