Ascending Hikes - Seasonal Fitness – Meridian Trail

This is the 3rd in my series of Ascending Hikes, with each hike being a little more difficult.

Our chosen trail is the Meridian Trail outside of Bailey and hiking to the intersection of the Cub Creek Trail in the Mount Blue Sky Wilderness Area (formerly Mount Evans).   We’ll hike approximately 6.5 miles with an elevation gain of approximately 1700 feet.  This trail is normally quiet and sparsely used.  It is an out and back trip.

Our pace will accommodate everyone’s capability and will likely be at the moderate pace of approximately 1.5 – 1.75 mph.

A map of our trail can be obtained at  https://caltopo.com/m/L7GK

I will send a weather forecast a day or two prior to the date of the hike

We’ll meet on April 30, 2026 at the RTD Park and Ride at Hampton and Wadsworth at 6:30 AM for a 6:45 AM departure.  The map at this link -->  Map shows both the meet-up location and the trailhead parking.

The driving distance is 40 miles one way taking about 55 minutes.  We’ll stop at the Loaf & Jug Gas Station & Convenience Store at the intersection of US Highway 285 and County Road 43 at the top of Crow Hill for a brief rest stop on the way to the trailhead.  The location of this Loaf & Jug is also shown on the map referenced above if you expand it to show higher level of details.

The driver reimbursement is calculated as follows:  40 miles one way, 80 miles total distance x $0.48 per mile = approximately $38 to be divided equally among everyone in the car including the driver.