Mt. Morrison - 7,884'

To get there:  If you are familiar with how close Red Rocks is to Denver, then you know how close this is!  Just head to the Red Rocks Amphitheater entrance #4 which is located a few hundred feet west of the intersection of CO74 and CO8 (on CO74), and you will see what looks like a game trail on your left, and room for about 4-5 cars on your right.  That game trail looking path is what you're after.  It's not marked, but tis the only obvious trail you will see.

Mt. Morrison - A beastly front range hike!  Red Rocks Amphitheater below

Mt. Morrison is located in the small town of Morrison, Colorado, and served as the last hike I did before my surgery.  I figured it might be a good test, kind of a then and now snapshot of where I was physically then, and what direction things are going.  The trail we did must have originated as erosion, as it more or less leads you directly up to the summit ridge.  It's steep, and filled with what my father calls "death cookies" or loose rock on a steep trail.  It's a no nonsense gainer, getting you out of the gates and up high immediately.  You will gain 900' in the first mile or so, and 1,800' in what I'm guessing is around 2 miles?!?!  It is a short hike, but a good burner.  Many people on this seem to be training for something with enormous loads on their backs, it will definitely get your motor going quickly, and it's really close to town!

March 19, 2013:  It was the day before my surgery, and it was the date of the physcial pack carry for Alpine, and we did the shoulder of Mt. Morrison.  It was 5:15 am, climbed 900' in one mile, and did it in 30 minutes, without stopping with approximately 40lbs of gear on my back.  Winded? A little bit, but definitely not tired.

June 23, 2013:  On the trail about 7:15, just Scarlet and I.  We stopped about three times before getting to that 900' point.  Wow!  What an eye opener.  This goes to show there is still a lot of work that needs to be done.  We went longer today, going further along the trail, and almost gaining the summit.  Didn't think it fair for the dog to continue much further on the last little bit of some steepish scramble moves.  Winded?  Absolutely.

July 13, 2013:  Hiked it with my friend Rich, and could not believe how much better the legs felt.  Felt stronger overall, and balance felt a lot better too.  We got all the way up, and had great views of the city, Mt. Falcon's trail system to the south, and blue skies off to the west.  Winded?  Yes, but not like last time, and legs felt better too.  Great views.  This hike seems to be under the radar for now, but take advantage of this hike so close to town!