Bailey Colorado
by James
Only 30 to 45 minutes away from Denver, Bailey, a small town off of 285, was a great place to spend a couple nights away from it all! The hiking in the area was great, but it is a little bit more elevated than Denver, so make sure you can handle it before heading up. Our destination was a high rock (with a name that I can't remember). After climbing all the way up (and having to climb a boulder near the peak) you come across an awesome view of the mountains and surrounding valley. Maybe you can see the Red Rocks on a clear day, but I'm not positive. There is a group of big horn sheep that live in the area and I was lucky enough to see them climbing the hill - I don't think they're to be messed with! At night we stayed at the Bailey Lodge, which was a great place to settle down thanks to Kate who runs the place. It's a cozy place up in the mountains, and having the local town hangout, Sweet Fanny Adams, next door was perfect! They serve up home style food made mostly by Karen (who owns it with her husband) and some cold beers to help wash it down. The food was delicious, and fitting for a pair of wanna-be-hardcore hikers. This place is out of the way, and doesn't look all that enticing as you go speeding by, but it was a nice stop over on a fall weekend. Highly recommended if you're trying to get away from Denver and traffic!
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