The New York Times
Lucas Peterson
November 1, 2018
Hiking through Forest Canyon Pass, nearly 11,500 feet above sea level, is a little like jumping into an ice-cold pond: It’s sobering, invigorating and takes a little getting used to. When I wasn’t catching my breath because of the altitude, I was taking in the picture-book panoramas of Rocky Mountain National Park. It’s tough to beat a visit to Boulder, Colo., if you’re looking to get back to nature — easy access to several national forests and one of the finest national parks in the country helps — but you don’t actually have to leave the city at all to experience some exceptionally fine hiking and outdoor activities, as well as some satisfying dining experiences.