One of the lakes at Belmar Park |
Getting there: Belmar Park is located at 801 S. Wadsworth Blvd. Lakewood, CO. Check out the Belmar Park website for more details. There is also parking in the neighbornoods that surround the park; I entered the park this way. From Alameda at Carr St in Lakewood; go south on Carr St. into a neighborhood with speed bumps; make a left turn at the first stop sign at West Virginia Ave; drive a few hundred yards as the road curves around and you will see the large Belmar Park sign on the right side of the road; you will enter the park at the northwestern corner. Click here for google map that shows near intersection to park.
Start of trail; lighted path for night walking too |
The Park: I didn't have a lot of time on Monday for a long hike, so I decided to head over to Belmar Park for a nice walk; I knew the park's trails were paved and would be plowed. Sometimes its just nice to take a stroll in a park rather than a long hike; sans pack and boots. The dogs were happy to get outside; and we drove to the neighborhood access, parked and start walking. I have been to Belmar Park a few times in the summer for long walks around the lake, but it's been a few years and I had forgotten how many trails there are which look very different in the winter. We started out toward the lakes on the paved trail, and eventually turned down the less travelled dirt (mud/ice) path so that the dogs could run a little more freely.
I continued to explore the park on the trails less traveled and I immediately wished I had wore my hiking boots.
The dogs and I just created our own little hike, over the bridges, around the lake, through the little woods; it was a lot of fun! After about an hour and a half, we made it back to the car. I have added some fun photos below if you'd like to look!
I'd love to know of some other great parks in the west/metro area; if you know of any, please post a comment!
Some places nearby to hike would be Green Mountain, and Mt. Falcon Park.
Belmar Park Sign at Northwest corner of park
Playground area
***
There are some trails in the trees that we explored!
***
Walking across one of the many bridges over the water in the park.
***
Kountze Lake, Belmar Park
***
Paved trails, blue skies!
***
More of the lake, be careful to not let doggies onto the thin ice!
****
Walked across this cool bridge; one of many in the park
***
Views of the Front Range!
****
Aspens in the winter
I love Belmar, am there at least weekly! My three main parks are Belmar, Crown Hill and Welchester Tree Grant as it is super close to my house and does not require a car ride.
ReplyDeleteWe walk to Welchester Tree Grant at least twice weekly; we must live close to each other! I need to get back to Crown Hill, I worked at the hospital and walked there all the time, but haven't been for a while. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteWe walk Crown Hill and Belmar all the time too! I'll bet we've passed each other many times. Our dogs are Mr. Blackie and Raider. Border collie mixes.
ReplyDeleteSay hi if you ever see me! My two dogs are Rock a lab-border-mutt; and Belle, a crazy Jack Russell
ReplyDelete