Hidden Mesa Open Space Hike

Mother Nature left her business card hanging over the Denver Metro area overnight in the form of 3 - 5 inches of snow.  Some might question why in the world would people choose to hike in these conditions vs two days before, when skies were virtually clear and temperatures remained in the mid to high 50's.

The reason is that passionate hikers have a life away from the sport too.  Other commitments earlier in the week as well as for Friday, left today (Thursday) as the only hike day.  I consider myself an all season hiker/snowshoer, therefore, a forecast for "Bad" weather does not mean a hike will be postponed. What can change a hiking plan are things like road closures, highway accidents, or unexpected vehicle mechanical issues.


Today, snow accumulation was minimal.  To many drivers, that is a recipe for poor judgement despite the best intentions to allow extra time for a commute to work.  Bad weather guarantees there will fender benders, dead batteries and stalled vehicles...all of which we witnessed on the drive to the TH.  Although I was up early and on the road with what I thought was sufficient time to get to the meet site, it took 15 minutes to inch the distance of one city block in order for me to turn into the parking lot meet site.

In the end, it worked close to plan, arriving within minutes after 7:30.  Snow continued to fall, adding to the inch or two already on the ground at daybreak.  Dorothy, Nancy and I watched heavy morning commuter traffic for close to 30 minutes more before Ed inched his way off Parker Road.  It was by no means the end of the traffic.

Decision time:  Go west, and we would spend hours on the highway getting to any TH.  Go east, and only be slowed by traffic lights.  As we headed east on Parker Road, not a vehicle in sight to the next intersection.  It would be light traffic all the way to the 716-acre Hidden Mesa Open Space, outside of Parker.  In the opposite direction...heading into the city...the only thing we saw mile after mile was an endless string of headlights, most of them were not moving.

Cherry Creek Trail leading to Hidden Mesa Trail.

At the TH light snow continued to fall as we cinched into our day packs and made our way on trail.  Snowshoes were in the truck and YaxTrax were in my pack.  Neither would be needed today.

Beginning at the Hidden Mesa TH, we followed the Farm Lane spur trail .5 mi. to the junction with Cherry Creek Trail (CCT).  This span is a dirt path leading to and across a walking bridge over Cherry Creek.  There, we turned right, following CCT another .3 mi., paved path, to a junction with Hidden Mesa Trail.

Hidden Mesa is a dirt trail that snakes 1.4 mi. across the landscape leading to a gate.  From there, trail begins a gradual climb of about 425' in 1/4 mi. to the top of the Mesa.  On top, hikers find themselves at a junction with the 1.9 mi. Mesa Rim Loop Trail.

Gary2, Nancy, and Ed reach the top of Hidden Mesa.

Despite trail conditions, we make good time, and find ourselves at the back side of the Rim Loop soon after the noon hour.  Wind is not a factor today, but we look for some protection from the elements just the same.  An area of Willow, Gambel oak and Chokecherry is spotted just off trail.  It would serve as our lunch stop today.

Ed, Dorothy, and Nance have lunch atop Hidden Mesa.

Back on trail, our bodies are recharged, and thanks to a relatively flat landscape, our pace has slightly increased.  The sky is totally overcast.  Not a hint of the sun.  It is the third time hiking this trail this year...not a bad thing.  Every time on a trail brings new opportunities to observe nature at its best.  For example, today, a blanket of snow totally changed the look of this landscape compared to when I was here in May and again in August.

View from Mesa Rim Loop Trail.

Soon, we are back to the start of the Rim Loop Trail, and begin retracing our steps down slope to the bottom land along Cherry Creek.

Back at the TH, we agree to meet at fika coffeehouse, a Swedish-American coffee shop at 19559 East Main Street in historic downtown Parker.

Background: The Swedish word fika, loosely translated, means "to meet over coffee."   Their claim to customer satisfaction is 'We never rush our guests.'

The shop serves Kaladi Brothers coffee and sells fresh coffee beans by the pound.  Beverages include an assortment of flavored coffees, hot tea, hot chocolate, espresso,and Chai latte.  The food menu includes burritos, almond cake, Swedish cookies, chocolate balls, pastries, brownies and ice cream.  My opinion...It's a good place to stop after future hikes down Parker way. 

It's true the people at fika do not rush their guests.  The atmosphere in this small establishment is one of quiet elegance.  Assuming today is typical of the type of patron that frequents fika coffeehouse, there were people enjoying quiet conversation at a number of tables, while others were glued to their laptop screen, and one busy counter maid is helping customers as they mill around the counter, reading the overhead chalkboard menu, making their choice of flavored house coffees, or on their cell phone...none of it seems to be loud enough to bother anyone.  That indicates a degree of respect for others in public not often found today.  It's one of the many reasons people decide to live in small towns. 

We migrated to the rear of the place to a room all to ourselves.  Over an hour later,  we had enjoyed an array of conversation topics, and thoroughly enjoyed the company of friends.  

Total Miles = 6.3 mi.

Total Elevation Gain = 425'

NOTE:  There will be no hike next week due to the Thanksgiving holiday.  Check back for information on upcoming hikes and snowshoe outings throughout the winter.