There’s a stretch of the year that doesn’t get the love it deserves. The leaves have turned on dropped. The first hard freezes have rolled in. Snow is starting to blanket the ground. The summer crowd has packed it in, and the skiers are patiently waiting for the lifts to start spinning.

And yet, it can be a glorious time to be out in the hills.

I was reminded of this over the past few days, wandering the woods around Kenosha Pass and South Park.

The shoulder seasons are some of my favorite times to get out and explore. the crowds have thinned out considerably. The parking lots that were packed with leaf peppers a few weeks ago sit nearly empty. And the roads are considerably less busy, with plenty of options an easy drive from home.

Be ready to the full Colorado weather sampler. Snow, bright sun melting it away, then wind, rain, sleet, and more snow. All in one day’s adventure. Layers are crucial.

Mostly, this weekend was a nice nudge to get outside. Big or small, it all counts. It was also a reminder to be thankful for the abundance of public lands right out our back door, open to every one of us who desires. Not many places can say that. Let’s not take it for granted.

Happy exploring.

We’re all for adventure here at Foothill Crew, big or small. This week, the endurance junkies (sickos?) have one right in our backyard.

Golden Hell Week is back for its 10th year: five local trails, five-day window. It’s self-paced and on your own schedule.

The routes cover some of Golden’s classics: Lookout, Galbraith, North and South Table, and Apex. Check out the routes here. It runs through Friday, so if you’re just hearing about it, there’s still time.

Why do it? Because why not test yourself a little. And the weather looks gorgeous this week, a window this time of year that’s too good to waste.

Then, the reward. On Friday evening, everyone is meeting at Mountain Toad Brewing for the Finish Line Party. Come swap stories with other runners over a well-deserved end-of-the-week beer.

SUNRISE: 7:24 AM
SUNSET: 6:04 PM
FORECAST: Pretty idyllic fall temps in the 60s all week
BEST DAY TO GET OUTSIDE: can’t go wrong the next 4 days

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Lair o’ the Bear, Morrison- JeffCo Mountain Bikers group ride, 5pm. Shred it

Green Mountain Brewery, Lakewood- Weekly Run Club, 6pm. Run, then beers

Holidaily Brewing, Golden- Fall Clothing Swap & Mixer, 6-8pm. Outdoor Gear

Miners Alley Performing Arts Center, Golden- SCRIPTprov, 7:30pm. Off script

Clear Creek RV Park, Golden- Public Art Open House & mural dedication, 5-6pm. Art walk

Miners Saloon, Golden- Live music Wednesdays, 6-9pm.

The Eddy Taproom & Hotel, Golden- Halloween Cookie House Workshop, 6:30-8:30pm. Spooky sweets

Snowpack Taproom, Conifer- Open Bluegrass Jam, 6:30-9pm. Pick a little

Downtown Morrison- Ghosts & Legends walking tour, 7-9pm. Hatchet Lady

Downtown Idaho Springs- Ghost Tour, 7-8pm. Boo-tiful history

Colorado School of Mines, Golden- Nightmare on Greek Street, free trick-or-treating, 5-8pm. Candy crawl

Holidaily Brewing, Golden- Tunes ‘N Brews, 5-8pm. Sip & listen

Golden Bike Park / New Terrain, Golden- Girls, Gears & Beers open Halloween Laps, 5:15pm. Costume ride

Glen-Isle Resort, Bailey- Ghosts of Glen-Isle, Thu & Fri 5:30-8:30pm. Haunted lodge

Runner’s Roost, Golden- Weekly Run Club, meet at 6pm

BP Run Co, Wheat Ridge- Weekly run club, starting at 6pm. Lace ‘em up

The Eddy Taproom & Hotel, Golden- Thrifted, Haunted & Hand-Painted art workshop with Foothills Art Center, 6-8pm. Haunt some art

New Terrain Brewing, Golden- Music by the Mesa: Ettore Buzzini Trio w/ Alex Thoele, 6-9pm. Good tunes

Snowpack Underground, Conifer- Whimsical Pumpkins Brick Painting class, 6-9pm. Get crafty

Buchanan Park, Evergreen- Nightmare at 1520 Haunted House, 7-9:30pm. If you dare

Miners Alley Performing Arts Center, Golden- Good Night, Oscar, 7:30pm. Curtain up

Botanic Gardens Chatfield Farms, Littleton- Corn Maze, Fri-Sun 9am-5pm, final weekend. Get lost

Jefferson County Fairgrounds, Golden- Jefferson County Home Show, 12pm-6pm. Home projects

Buchanan Park, Evergreen- Movie in the Park: Trick-or-Treat Trail + E.T., 4pm. Phone home

Cheese Ranch Artisan Deli, Golden- Fondue Friday, 5pm. Yummy

Aspen Peak Cellars, Bailey- 4-Course Gold Medal Celebration Dinner, 6:30pm. Fancy pours

Buffalo Rose, Golden- Elton Dan and the Rocket Band, 8pm. Rocket Man

Evergreen Library, Evergreen- Zombie Fun Run 5K, 8:30am. Get it

Georgetown Loop Railroad, Georgetown- Trick-or-Treat Train, 10am-5pm. All aboard

Snowpack Taproom, Conifer- Saturday Morning Yoga, 10-11am. Flow state

Evergreen Nature Center, Evergreen- Saturday Family Program, 11am.

Miner Street, Idaho Springs- Zombie Party on Miner Street, noon-5pm. Undead downtown

Miners Alley Performing Arts Center, Golden- Cavemen vs. Zombies (kids), 1pm. Kid-friendly frights

Kittredge- Kittredge Halloween, 2-5pm. Pumpkin Drop

Golden Library, Golden- Golden’s Little Monster Mash, 2-4pm. Little ghouls

Downtown Evergreen- Halloween Walk trick-or-treating, 4-6pm. Main Street candy

New Terrain Brewing, Golden- Halloween Party with Foggy Mountain Spaceship + costume contest, 6pm. Banjo

Buffalo Rose, Golden- Shakedown Street with My Blue Sky, 3rd Annual Halloween Extravaganza, 7pm. Truckin’

The Little Bear, Evergreen- Halloween dance party with FinalEyes, 8pm. Dance floor

St. Laurence Episcopal Church, Conifer- Evergreen Chamber Orchestra Autumn Recital, 3pm. Strings attached

Mountain Toad Brewing, Golden- Board Game Night, 5pm-close. Have fun

Golden Game Guild, Golden- Teach Me to Play Mondays, 6-9pm. Learn new games

New Terrain Brewing Co, Golden- Yoga on Tap 🧘 Yoga from 6-7pm, beers anytime. Get your ticket

Train tracks over Boreas Pass, ~1885

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See you around the next bend!