"The closest day trips you can take would be to Evergreen or Idaho Springs, and both are only about 30 minutes from Denver. Start in the morning, taking I-70 west, and stop for a hike at Bergen Peak in Evergreen. If you have the time and energy, allow four to five hours to summit the peak and head back down — nine and a half miles roundtrip. If not, you can still take in the gorgeous views of forested hilltops from a number of shorter hikes in the area at Alderfer/Three Sisters Park or Genesee Park. Get back on the highway and head into Idaho Springs for a Mountain Pie at the original Beau Jo’s pizza and a post-hike toast at one of the brewpubs in town. Here, you can also raft Clear Creek or stop by the old Phoenix Gold Mine. Total drive time is about an hour and a half roundtrip." - MATADOR_NETWORK
