It’s pretty much guaranteed that if there are big, hulking rocks in the vicinity, Jan and I will be there eventually. We can’t seem to resist the lure of climbing around to check out the view. So naturally we headed west to Red Rocks.
Red Rocks Amphitheater is a grouping of natural rock formations tucked into the foothills of the Colorado Rockies. And because it’s such a convenient drive from Denver, we decided to rent a car and check it out. I think it took us less than 20 minutes from downtown.
I confess that Red Rocks was also a lure because I once played U2’s Live at Red Rocks: Under a Blood Red Sky on repeat. 1983, man, don’t you love it? It was a little thrill to see the stage and the dozen or so groovy people using the space for yoga, lunges, and other exercise-related lunacy. We held back on joining them because the day would take us places…
We choose to hike the Trading Post Trail, a 1.4 mile “back country” loop around the formations surrounding the amphitheater. Since the day was a lovely 70 degrees and partly cloudy, we took off to look at the massive rocks.
There weren’t too many people around, but we were occasionally joined by Stellar’s Jays and little songbirds. Our little friends sang (laughed) as we took some rather deep knee bends getting back to the trail head.
There wasn’t a huge change in elevation, but…the day proved warmer and the trail steeper than we expected. Even with a steady pace, we wore ourselves out. We bought water at the trading post and downed it as we went in search of the parking lot (upper? lower? details!)
BTW, the Trading Post houses the Colorado Music Hall of Fame, which is window dressing to sell really expensive t-shirts, guitar picks, and other tourist fare. I think they could’ve done a little more with it. The Visitor’s Center at the top was also a little lame though they do have every act that’s played here listed on the wall. Oh, there’s a John Denver statue. Don’t forget to check that out.
Wait, wait…
You’re welcome.
If you’re not here for a concert (or statue), the biggest draw are the rocks themselves. The trails around them are well maintained and every inch is scenic and well worth the effort. I say this even though my calves are still killing me after two days. I think if we lived in the area, we’d be out here a lot.
Red Rocks was certainly worth a day rental and left us plenty of time to check out a few other places in the Lariat Loop, but that’s another post.
Those formations would be enough of a draw for me, even though I love me some “Rocky Mountain High!” Seriously, the first thing I thought of was U2.
I read “yoga” and I thought for sure you two would downward dog right into the pack. I know you didn’t come for the yoga though. Kudos for getting a different perspective and taking the road less traveled.
How’s Denver feeling thus far?
Well, truth be told, you don’t get as many mountain views in Denver as you do in Albuquerque. There are fewer green chilies and an excessive amount of scooters — I’m not even kidding. Sidewalks are better here and we’re in a very walk-able area with amenities, but it’s a lot more expensive. So, the trade-offs may not be worth it.
Karen I kid you not. The day after we went to Red Rocks I pulled up Red Rocks playlists on Spotify and chose U2 playing live there, unknown that it would trigger flashbacks in my blue-eyed girl. She’s been acting like a teenager ever since.