Buffalo Bill Cody was America's first superstar — a 19th-century Elvis — who, from 1883 to 1913, toured the globe, performing "Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show" in a thousand cities in a dozen nations. At its height, the show made more than a million dollars a year in profits, played before the crowned heads of Europe, and employed 640 cowboys, Indians, vaqueros and rough riders. It is estimated that 25 million words were written about Cody during his lifetime, covering his exploits as a Pony Express rider, cavalry scout, Medal of Honor winner and buffalo hunter.
When he died in Denver in 1917, his funeral became the largest in Colorado history. At his request, he was buried on top of Lookout Mountain, a 7,375-foot peak just west of the city with commanding views of both the plains to the east and the snow-capped Rocky Mountains to the west. Today, Denver owns 110 acres of park at the top of the mountain and operates the Buffalo Bill Museum & Grave, a wonderful museum near the grave site with exhibits covering Buffalo Bill's exciting life. There are hiking trails in the area, a massive Western gift shop, a cafe, picnic areas and a huge viewing deck with panoramic views.
Getting there is half the fun. From Golden, the twisting and turning Lariat Loop Trail is one of the most scenic (and hair-raising) drives in Colorado. Keep your eyes on the road, which often has sheer cliffs and can be busy with bike riders. Biking to the top of Lookout Mountain is a popular and challenging ride. But do stop at occasional pull-offs to enjoy the view and watch the hang gliders and paragliders that often soar overhead. This is one of the top hang gliding areas in Colorado. Many viewpoints look down directly on Coors Brewery — the largest single brewing site on earth.
After the Park: At the base of Lookout Mountain is the Old West town of Golden. Colorado's first capital city is now a recreation center for biking, hiking, rock climbing and kayaking. Clear Creek flows right through town and is filled with tubers and kayakers, while the main street is lined with historical buildings that now house restaurants, art galleries and outdoor cafes. In town, Golden City Brewery has a pretty beer garden, while the Buffalo Rose has bands playing on weekends.
Genesee Park was Denver's first mountain park and is also its largest, with 2,413 acres. Genesee is said to be a Native American term meaning "shining valley." The main part of the park is 20 miles west of Denver on I-70, at Exit 254. Here there are gorgeous views of snow-capped peaks in the distance. One of Denver's two buffalo herds can often be seen here (the herd has their own tunnel under I-70, so they can be found on either side of the highway). The buffalo were originally descendants of the last wild herd of bison in North America, which was located at Yellowstone National Park. Today, there are about two dozen adult bison here.
If the buffalo are not visible at Exit 254, try continuing west on I-70 to Exit 253 (Chief Hosa). Turn left (south) to cross the highway, then left again to travel east until you reach the pasture fence. To the south of I-70, a park road goes to the top of Genesee Mountain, offering 360-degree views from the 8,284-foot summit.
After the Park: Continue on I-70 west to Exit 252 and take the Evergreen Parkway 8 miles to the historic mountain village of Evergreen. Nestled along Bear Creek at the base of Evergreen Lake, this rustic and scenic little town has shops, galleries and restaurants, as well as the famous Little Bear Saloon, known as one of the rowdiest bars in the state. "South Park" co-creator Trey Parker graduated from Evergreen High School.
Mount Blue Sky: Echo Lake and Summit Lake Parks
The 14-mile Mount Blue Sky Scenic Byway leads to the 14,264-foot high summit of Mount Blue Sky. This is the highest paved road in North America, 154 feet higher than Pikes Peak. Drive to the top and your car will be higher than any other automobile on the continent.
The scenic byway was built by the City of Denver in 1927 as a tourist attraction. Today, access to the road is controlled by the U.S. Forest Service and requires a modest fee. Due to snow, the road is typically only open the Friday of Memorial Day weekend through the first weekend in October, depending on weather conditions. Along the way, you can see herds of Rocky Mountain goats and bighorn sheep.
The actual summit of Mount Blue Sky is a short hike from the parking lot. From the top, you can see most of the major mountain peaks in central Colorado — all the way from Wyoming in the north to Pikes Peak in the south. Please note, the road and access to the top of Mount Blue Sky is closed at Summit Lake the day after Labor Day.
Colorado has 54 peaks that soar to 14,000 feet and above, known locally as "fourteeners." Summiting a fourteener is a true Colorado experience, but remember, there is 50 percent less protection from the sun at this altitude, so sunscreen is a must. Also, bring plenty of water. At 14,000 feet, the atmosphere has 43 percent less oxygen than at sea level, making any activity strenuous. Lightning storms are common on summer afternoons and, as a general rule, it's best to be off the summit by noon.
Echo Lake is at the very beginning of the Mount Blue Sky Scenic Byway. It's 47 miles from Denver, at an elevation of 10,600 feet, and is one of the prettiest subalpine lakes in Colorado. The 24-acre lake was formed by a glacial moraine and is surrounded by forests of Engelmann spruce, fir and lumber Pine, all with wonderful views of towering snow-capped Mount Blue Sky in the distance. There are tables, grills and a historic 1937 stone picnic shelter. The lake is stocked and offers excellent fishing. An easy three-quarter-mile hiking trail circles the lake, while more challenging trails set off from here to Chicago Lakes and into the Mount Blue Sky Wilderness Area.
After the Park: The rustic Echo Lake Lodge is located at the start of the Mount Blue Sky Scenic Byway. This unusual octagonal log cabin was built in 1926 and features a restaurant with picture windows overlooking the lake. Hamburgers, Rocky Mountain trout and homemade pies are the specialties. There's also a massive gift shop filled with Mount Blue Sky memorabilia. A great souvenir is a copy of the official metal marker put on the summit of the peak by the U.S. Geological Survey, an everlasting reminder that you have summited a fourteener.
