Denver: More Than Just a Stop Over

City Park, Denver skyline and the Rockies, all in glorious sunshine 

Making our way north from Texas was always going to take us through Colorado, so we thought we would have at least a few days in Denver to get a taste of it, and see if it was worth coming back to again in our future travels.

We will definitely be coming back!

Again we Couch Surfed in Denver, and again it delivered. This time we were put up by Josh and his roommate Tyler. If you think you have travelled before, or met people who have travelled, well you haven’t… Until you meet Josh. He has done some of the most incredible, crazy, mind blowing and outright must-do-things that can probably no longer be done! 5 weeks in the Peruvian Amazon by himself with nothing but a machete and a dugout canoe is one of my favourite ones. But sneaking across the Iranian border with another nutter (I say ‘nutter’ in the most sincere and complimentary way possible) he met in Armenia is something few people in this world would be insane enough to contemplate, let alone actually do.

All this from a mild mannered Librarian…

Josh was great and really made us feel at home. He cooked two incredible meals with us just sitting back and watching the World Series, sampling a few of the plethora of craft beers on offer in Denver. You really could have been in an extremely comfortable restaurant with the quality Josh was serving up, we even had to ask if he was planning on changing career paths and becoming a chef.

The chef and his apprentice

Sunday Josh showed his hand at breakfast and we had to remind him that we were simple backpackers, and our palettes aren’t used to fine dining more than once a month. After the gourmet brunch, we settled back to sample a few more brews and watch a bit of NFL before heading out for an afternoon tour of the city.

In the words of Josh, ‘My city is just better than yours!’

Josh seems to know half the population of Denver and with that comes perks. And by perks I mean free shite! After a roam around City Park, we were treated to free entry into the Denver Museum of Nature & Science. Not only does this house some incredible wildlife panoramas, but it also has one of the best views of the picturesque city skyline outlined against the striking Rocky Mountains in the background. Throw in City Park in the foreground, and it makes Denver one of the most beautiful cities of the trip.

Taking in the view from Denver’s Museum of Nature & Science

The museum took both Nic and I back to our childhood days, although I don’t think we ever went to as good a museum back in country WA. The interactive Space Odyssey could have amused us for hours, and the Gems and Minerals section had Nic requesting me buy or steal her a pretty rock, but the Wildlife Exhibition blew us away. These 3D displays had us back in Africa and Australia momentarily, and wanting to explore more of North America as quickly as we could. Both life-like and scarily detailed, these displays were like none I had ever seen before, in terms of quality and quantity.

 

Some of the 3D panoramas on display in the Wildlife Exhibition

After all this learning, Josh took us down to Tyler’s bar where he (and Nic for that matter) gave me a rather harsh schooling in pool. Luckily it was happy hour, and 2-for-1 beers helped eased the pain of such an arse whooping.

Getting a quick lesson in pool

Monday had everyone else back at work, but Josh gave us some great ideas on how to while away the hours. Colorado is known for its nature activities and numerous scenic hikes. The problem is trying to decide which one to do. Luckily Josh recommended his favourite one in the area and it did not disappoint.

The Chicago Lakes Hike in the Idaho Springs area took us back to Patagonia, just without the heavy packs, but the biting cold was still there. Starting off at Echo Lake, you descend into the valley for about 45 minutes before making the ascent up towards Chicago Lake and if you’re game (or stupid) enough, towards Summit Lake. You are surrounded by fir trees all throughout the valley, and they only start to thin out as you approach the summit. The sights and sounds of the forest really are remarkable.

Echo Lake

About half way into the hike we passed a fully kitted out hiker on his way down. Curiously taking in our appearance he remarked that we were braver than he was. I don’t think brave is the right word. Perhaps stupid and cheap would better suit us.

Next to him we must have looked homeless, or just ridiculously unprepared. He had on something similar to what we had down in Patagonia: hiking shoes, wind and water proof jacket and pants, possibly a number of layers beneath, and hiking poles. I was decked out in Adidas high tops, board shorts and my Hawks hoodie. Nic wasn’t much better, although she did have the foresight to wear her snow jacket as well.

Still we made it to the top, braved the ice cold wind for the reward of the views back down the valley and Chicago Lake, and that of Summit Lake. Summit Lake reminded the both of us of Torres del Paine, although not quite as spectacular. Nestled at the bottom of the cliffs that stretch towards the peak of Mount Evans, Summit Lake seems both peaceful and menacing at the same time. The water looks inviting but I’m sure you would suffer from hypothermia if you dipped even your pinkie toe in it. In-between the freezing gusts of wind, the lake is calm and tranquil, only to be whipped into a frenzy as the wind comes howling off the mountain. Still, the views were worth it.

The view back down the valley to Chicago Lake

Summit Lake

Throw in some of our favourite creatures, chipmunks and squirrels, and a light sprinkling of snow throughout the trek, and Chicago Lakes hike was a great way to sample a little of what Denver and Colorado has to offer.

The return hike was as eventful as the outward journey, albeit a little more painful. After navigating our way safely down the ice covered rocks of the summit, I stumbled across a variety of chipmunk we hadn’t seen before. Knowing Nic’s penchant for all things small and furry I called her back. She had just made it to the top of a section of rocks that on the way through had needed a little more caution than the rest of the path.

After watching our little friend merrily go about his business I finally dragged Nic back to reality and we headed off again. Climbing these rocks again, Nic may have still been thinking of ways to end up with a pet squirrel and lost her footing. She landed rather heavily and took the brunt of the force on her shoulder and her ear. Her first words were ‘Do I have cauliflower ear?’ to which I had to restrain myself and let her know that it usually takes a while to get the desired result, but she may well be on her way to looking like an elf. Luckily she was fine, seemingly more upset that she had dirtied her jacket after just cleaning it, than the fact that she had just fallen on her head! Country folk!

Denver offered a great place to stop off at on our way north, a small slice of the delicious cake that Colorado promises to be. Throw in some home-cooked chef-quality meals, good beers and even better company, and Denver is undeniably more than just a stop along the way. And if we only tasted a slice, we will definitely be back for the whole thing!

Downtown Denver