Hiking – Fossils, mining and fire. An eight-mile (or so) amble through Red Rock Canyon Open space exploring a vast expanse of geologic time and an old quarry. We'll also talk briefly about fire ecology on the Front Range.

31st Street lot for Red Rocks Open Space (not the primary access and lots).

Be there by 9:15 so we can hit the trail by 9:30.  There is usually a portable toilet at this trailhead but no other facilities. Round trip time should be about five hours.

The trails in Red Rocks range from smooth roads to rough and rocky and we will go over some of that and everything in between. Trails may be icy and/or muddy and the slippery mud can be just as treacherous as ice. Bring traction and poles. Be prepared to get muddy as hiking etiquette dictates going through the mud and not around it.

The lower portions of this park are super busy, especially on weekends but we'll avoid the crowds, at least initially, by starting on the east side and then climbing into the less traveled upper reaches of the park. There's a nice place to stop with a great view of the city and Garden of the Gods Park, which of course is part of the same geologic formation that make up the Red Rocks here and in Morrison.