Colorado’s Hidden Gems

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With Colorado’s beautiful autumn weather, it’s the perfect time to go for a hike and explore the Centennial states’ hidden treasures. In her latest book, Colorado Off the Beaten Path, author Christine Loomis offers readers an in-depth travel guide to the trails and attractions less traveled. “The Off the Beaten Path books are meant to highlight places that are still “uncrowded and inviting,” says Loomis. “Although I can’t say that every place in the book is without crowds, you will probably find even the most popular sites are just fine if you avoid the highest peak times.”

Colorado Off the Beaten Path®: Discover Your Fun, Thirteenth Edition by Christine Loomis. | Photo by Globe Pequot

Colorado’s diverse landscape is divided into five regions: Colorado Foothills, Northwestern Mountains, Central Mountains, Southern Colorado, and Denver and the Plains. Each section provides a history lesson of the area, and detailed maps of featured attractions. “I’ve discovered so many cool places in Colorado and I’m still finding new ones,” explains Loomis. “Just one example: In all the years I’ve spent in Colorado I had never been to downtown Loveland until late last year. There I discovered one of my new favorite places, Chapungu Sculpture Park—who knew Colorado had a riverside park dotted with 82 evocative sculptures by artists from Zimbabwe?”

Another featured attraction- the Beaver Brook Trail in the Denver foothills. This challenging trail curves around Lookout Mountain and allows visitors to get up close and personal with varied plant species and flora. Ditto Deckers, a tiny community along the South Platte River, is one of Loomis’ latest and greatest finds. “I had never visited until my son, and I hired a fly-fishing guide who thought we’d like it. We did,” she says. “You might not be entirely alone, but if you’re willing to wade or walk a bit, you can probably find a small spot where it’s just you, wily Colorado trout and spectacular views all around.”

Photo courtesy of Adobe Stock

The 222-page book includes fun facts and trivia in highlighted sections, so they are easily visible to the reader. The Denver-based author looks forward to continuing her Colorado travels and discovering additional hidden attractions. “No doubt I’ve still missed some Colorado gems. It’s a big state with a lot of wild country. Assuming there will be another edition down the road, I’ll keep looking for new places to include. I know I’ll find some,” she says. 

For more information on Colorado Off the Beaten Path®: Discover Your Fun, Thirteenth Edition by Christine Loomis, visit globepequot.com.