One of my great loves

If you ever question why I write so much about hiking on a blog about grief and death, remember this -our natural world is a role model for life, dormancy, transitions, change, and growth. In addition, the healing properties of nature are well documented. Though we each have our own interests and abilities, the healing power of nature is an absolute, and we must, all of us, find more time in it no matter how you choose to do it. Being outside has been one of my great loves for a very long time. How I do it today is different than before. My move to Colorado gave me the space and the place. Most importantly, my grief demanded it and I answered the call. I am still answering the call nearly seven years later.

In 2025, I went on 98 hikes, twenty-nine of which were on trails new to me. I hiked in California, Ohio, Arizona, Utah, and of course, Colorado. For the past six years, I’ve been documenting my annual hiking activity (which includes snowshoeing). I’m never trying to achieve a goal, but I get out as often as I can.

Included in my hike tally again this year is my offering to others as I lead Greif Hikes once a month. Taking others, strangers, who are experiencing grief, outside with me, is different. I treat it with reverence. My hope is that at least on that day, each person on the trail with me finds something they need. It is my honor to be part of their journey, and this year, one of my grief hikes made my top ten, so keep reading (and if you are local to Denver keep your eye on my hike schedule on my Events page).

A quick reminder about my photos which I stop for frequently. It is my biggest priority to stay present where I am. I NEVER go anywhere just for the shot. I go to feel alive and to be at peace. And only then do I find the picture and attempt to capture it. I honestly can’t even believe how beautiful many of my photos are, all taken on iPhone, and sometimes with a tripod or propped against a rock.  

Just like last year, surprisingly, more than half of my favorites were with other people. In part, it’s why they were special. But don’t get any ideas, I haven’t given up solo hiking! It is still over 90% of what I do, and I still love it and need it (watch for a blog later this year on solo hiking!).

10. Lake Ladora Loop – Rocky Mountain Arsenal Nature Preserve, Denver, Colorado. I have probably hiked here 20 times. It’s a simple loop around a fauna-filled lake on the outskirts of an industrial part of Denver. Doesn’t sound exciting, right. Well, I come here frequently because it is so close to home and surprisingly peaceful. It’s what I call hiking in the “browns.”  This is the Plains. It is also a great place to bring a grief group. On this October day, I accompanied my largest grief group, the makeup of which was special in many ways.  Most had been walking with me for the last few years. We were joined by two new people, and dare I say, one very special lady who I had been supporting the prior ten months after the death of her daughter. She wrote me a letter recently and what she said about the hike stands alone as the reason why this one is in my top ten this year. “I was not sure I could do it because of my health, but I did! I was not sure it would help, but it did! My heart was moved and I am so grateful for the experience.”

9. Twin Lakes and Interlaken Loop – Leadville, Colorado. Finally! This hike requires an overnight stay away from home and, each time I have planned for it, the weather (or unfortunately, wildfire) kept me from it. Fortuitously, I ended up here at the peak of Fall and it was a spectacular one this year. At the foot of Independence Pass and the 14ers of the Sawatch Mountain Range, this entire area is stunning. On this trail is the historic Interlaken Resort built in 1873 and later abandoned around 1950. It is now owned by the US Forest Service and maintained as a historical site.  An interesting piece of history.

8. Medicine Bow Curve - Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado – This is a short trail with a big payoff. Believe it or not this trail is likely to have between 250 and 350 thousand cars pass right by it during hiking season (May to October).  Most people probably stop at the roadside pull-off near the trail head, gaze at the view in awe, snap a photo, and hop back in their car.  I have done that very thing twice, but not this time.  My sister, brother-in-law and niece were with me. It was a stunning September day in an often very windy spot, and I wanted to walk. We were first rewarded by amazing views, and then by a fox trotting toward us, and then by the sound of bugling elk in the distance and another round of amazing views.  That’s what happens when you get out of the car. This is a short trail, not noticeable from the road. It’s just a half mile to 11,728 feet elevation. Because it goes up and around, the road and cars disappear, and you get to enjoy the peace.

7. Great Sand Dunes National Park, Colorado – This place is mind blowing. The tallest sand dunes in North America at the foot of the Sangre de Cristo range of the Rocky Mountains. And for a short period in late Spring early summer, the snow melt creates the Medano Creek and you can have a day at the beach. I brought my favorite hiking family here and we hiked, slogged, slid, and played all around the sand dunes. Just when you think you are getting somewhere, there is another giant dune waiting for you, so you have no choice but to collapse in the sand and play for a while. This is a unique spot and I loved sharing it!

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6. Mayflower Gulch - Copper, Colorado. I was so excited to take my good friend Amy S. on one of my favorite hiking trails this year.  There was a drenching overnight rain in the area, and the skies were very menacing when we woke up. It was unusual August weather. It was chilly! We headed out early as the forecast said no more storms until midday. We hiked it pretty quickly which is easy with Amy. The views within the basin are just so grand and there is something calming about the energy here. Amy started walking faster on the descent as she swears she saw a bear in the distance. It wasn’t (it never, ever moved), but glad for our pace anyway, because the rain started about a half mile shy of the car. The views from within this basin are always spectacular and, on this day, the sky added its own drama.

5. Fishers Tower - Moab, Utah. I finally made it to Eastern Utah!  This trail was the first of six days of amazing hiking.  I liked it because of the colors, the rock formations, the rock climbers on the Towers, the distant views of Utah’s 13ers and the heat.  It was a great way to start our trip, and I have to say some of the best photos of the week.

4. Mt Flora – Empire, Colorado. My fourth time on this 13er peak and last year it was my number one! This year, I hiked this on Labor Day, and normally you won’t find me on a trail on a holiday when the rest of the world has the day off. But I couldn’t resist because of the weather, so I got an early start to beat the crowds. It was worth it. A big part of why this hike made the list this year is the story after. I picked up two hitchhikers, who had just come off the trail about 30 minutes before me, and I drove them back to Denver. I enjoyed the ride with this very interesting couple who had been backpacking for three days. And isn’t it interesting that they are alumni from mine and Leyla’s college. I have NEVER even considered picking up hitchhikers but have had to hitchhike myself off a trail, while in Ireland, and just knew this was a good time to pay it forward.

3. Tower Arch - Canyonlands National Park, Moab, Utah. In six days of wonderful hiking, it was hard to choose my favorites, but this was my top of the trip.  It was a full day of exploring and rock hopping. The Tower Arch was majestic and peaceful.  It felt like a feminine vortex though I don’t believe it is documented as such.  Also on this day, our hiking guide pulled his saxophone out of his backpack, (yes, you heard that right) and serenaded us at lunch and again later in the afternoon. The notes bouncing off the towers were magical. This was the kind of spot that I really would have gladly laid on the rocks through the evening and into night.

2. Willow Hole - Joshua Tree National Park, California. A long-awaited return to Joshua Tree. The first time with Tim was quick, and we didn’t hike, only browsed the rock formations on a day trip from Palm Springs. This trail was my favorite of three days of hiking with my California friends, Kath and Deb. After starting on a pretty ordinary, flat and straight, trial with Joshua Trees and cacti, we took a fork to the right toward Willow Hole and everything changed. We stepped onto another planet. This was an easy trail with some good distance, sand hiking toward the end, and an opportunity to boulder as much as you wanted (and I did!). I also hesitate to mention it as we barely saw another person in what is, mostly, a crowded park.

1. Mt. Sherman - Fairplay, Colorado. My number one hike this year has to be my new-to-me 14er. Some people say it is the easiest of them (I agree); but some call it boring as well. And I don’t agree. Easier for a 14er, but still a challenge, and I finally managed the perfect weather day.  This peak is known to be very windy, but I only experienced it for a brief time on the knife-edge near summit. Oh, and that was the coolest part of the trail too. Overall, not too crowded, and man the sun felt amazing on this late September day. I shed my layers quickly, but you have to have them up here. The only bummer is 22 miles on a dirt road. I would love to do this peak again but the road, not so much. I was disappointed that last year I did not get a Colorado 14er summit into my schedule and vowed to do it in 2025.  And I did!  My 14er total is now ten.

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