06/20/2026
Tomorrow is the Summer Solstice, so it's that time of year: it's hot out. Are you prepared for hiking at 6,200+ feet of elevation in 90+ degree heat?
Don't take our trails lightly - we don't have much shade on the majority of our trails. Whatever your weather app tells you the temperature is, add 10 degrees. The rocks and lack of shade make it feel hotter at the park.
If you're coming out to hike at Roxborough State Park when it's warm out, remember:
- Start early or wait until early evening. Through July, we open at 5:00am and close at 9:00pm. August we open at 6:00am and close at 9:00pm. Plenty of time to avoid the hottest part of the day during Summer.
- Make sure to eat and hydrate BEFORE coming to the park to hike, and bring plenty of drinks and snacks with you while you hike. Include electrolytes. You will sweat out a ton of salt. Make sure to replenish your salt while out on the trail.
- Wear protective layers to keep the sun off of you. Sun hoodies, hats, whatever. Cover up.
- Visiting from out-of-state? Not used to being at 6,200-7,200' elevation? Don't start with Carpenter Peak. You need to acclimatize first. That can take a few days for most folks.
- Know your limits. If you start feeling unwell, call for help BEFORE it escalates to something worse. Call the park at 303-973-3959 to get ahold of Park Staff, or call 911 if after our Visitor Center closes at 4:00pm. Believe me, Park Staff and First Responders would MUCH rather respond to someone beginning to suffer from heat exhaustion that is able to make it out safely, then respond to someone with full-blown heat stroke in far worse condition.
Pictured: CPW Park Rangers and West Metro Fire Rescue working with a patient suffering from heat exhaustion on Carpenter Peak today. The patient was able to make it down safely with assistance from responders. A big THANK YOU to our friends and neighbors at West Metro for your help on this one.
