5280 Magazine – May 2018

32 |^5280 |^ MAY 2018

Clockwise from top left: TR Judd/Courtesy of City on the Side; Courtesy of Zach Guiliano; Gus Schiavon/Courtesy of Canyoning Colorado; Courtesy of Colorado Hot Air Balloon Rides

OUTDOORS

We’d wager that you’ve hiked, biked, and skied to your nature-loving heart’s content

in the Centennial State. If so, consider a more unconventional approach to adventure

tourism this season via one of these quirky Colorado excursions. Bonus: If you’re new to

the area (and your latlander lungs are still adjusting to the elevation), these trips let you

immerse yourself in stunning landscapes without too much exertion. — K AELY N LY NCH

WHAT WE’RE EXPLORING

THIS MONTH

Sentinel Point

DRIVE FROM DENVER

About 2 hours

WHY WE LOVE IT

For a hike that’s off

the well-trodden

path and comes

with a quirky sur-

prise at the top,

head to the six-ish-

mile Sentinel Point

Trail near Florissant.

This challenging

loop passes beaver

ponds, a wildflow-

er-speckled valley,

and a long stream

before deliver-

ing you to a talus

field for the final

approach. Make it

to the 12,527-foot

summit and you’ll

be rewarded with

majestic views of

two different rang-

es and Pikes Peak

and near-total si-

lence—apart from

the brays of Senti-

nel Point’s unofficial

guardian, a wild

donkey that greets

weary hikers. —KL

HAPPY

TRAILS

BY SEA (SORT OF)

We may live in a landlocked

state, but water lovers can still

get their fixes

in Ouray’s

wet canyons.

The licensed

guides at

Canyoning

Colorado

(half-day be-

ginner tours

start at $89) help novices

learn to set up their own gear

and master rappelling tech-

niques before descending

through a series of plunging

waterfalls. Complete these

challenges—and an oral test

covering basic knowledge—

and you’ll receive a beginner

canyoning certification.

BY AIR

If you’ve ever wondered how

a red-tailed hawk feels riding

the thermals of the Rockies,

Colorado Hot Air Balloon

Rides’ sunrise flights ($275

per person) will give you

the chance to find out. Lift

off from the South Park

area at sunrise

for a faintly lit

panorama of 36

fourteeners, then

try flying the

balloon under

the guidance of

your professional

pilot. After you’re

back on terra firma, listen to

the captain recite the Balloon-

ists’ Prayer in appreciation of

your safe return.

BY LAND

Two-year-old City on the
Side shuttles guests around
in an unexpected vehicle:
vintage-inspired bikes with
sidecars. Your four- or eight-
hour trip ($349 to $699)
through natural havens such
as Clear Creek and Golden
Gate canyons includes
water, snacks, and a
Bluetooth-enabled hel-
met that lets you chat
with your driver and/or
fellow passenger about
all the gorgeous vistas
you pass. For an extra
$15, you can add a picnic
lunch from Tony’s Market,
complete with a wicker basket
and a checkered blanket for a
fully charming experience.

1 2 3

Offbeat Adventures

Go beyond hiking and biking with these three alternative

ways to explore Colorado’s enticing backcountry.

Explore locales

such as Boulder

Canyon with

City on the

Side’s sidecar

excursions.