Let’s face it. As Coloradans, we’re active junkies; always on the hunt for the next adventure, that upcoming journey, which typically leaves us only wanting more. The Denver Mappy Hour team has created the Explore More Colorado Challenge for Mappy Hour members to further explore our inspiring state and dare yourself to check-off that next outdoor ambition. This new challenge is in partnership with The North Face who will be helping us reward members along the way with prizes. The “bucket list” is designed to further connect the Denver Mappy Hour chapter members to each other and to the great outdoors.
The Explore More Challenge
The Explore More Colorado Challenge, presented by The North Face, is a multi-month challenge that rewards you for going outside with new Mappy Hour friends. Each participating chapter will launch a guide with 10 check-offs (see below) that can range from exploring your city to finding further afield outdoor gems in your state. All check-offs can be reached within 1 hour and 30 minutes drive from Denver. To complete the challenge, members must fulfill 8 of the 10 check-offs. Participants will compete to finish the challenges (aka go outside!). The North Face is further supporting this new program with prizes for all chapter members who accomplish check-offs and an even bigger prize for the first person to complete it in each chapter!
The Rules: The Colorado Challenge
- Our challenge dates run from September 18, 2019 to August 18, 2020. You can complete adventures any time between those dates.
- Once a check-off has been successfully accomplished, show a photo of yourself to the Denver Mappy Hour team at the next event and record your adventure in the official Colorado Challenge logbook
- We know that sometimes you miss a Mappy Hour — no worries, you can do an adventure in October and then sign in the following March.
- Only 8 of the 10 check-offs must be fulfilled to complete the challenge.
- The more check-offs you fulfill, the more prizes you receive graciously provided by The North Face and National Geographic!
- Connect with other members by sharing your adventures at Mappy Hour events
Challenge The Prize Tier
2 check-offs completed: The North Face Nuptse koozie
4 check-offs completed: National Geographic Map
6 check-offs completed: Mappy Hour & The North Face t-shirt
8 check-offs completed: The North Face & Proof sunglasses
1st member to complete the challenge: TNF prize pack of gear
Adventure 1: Soak it in
If you start your challenge off right, you begin with the 1st check-off! Why? Because you are kicking back in the soothing water of mineral hot springs. Colorado is blessed with numerous breathtaking outdoor natural hot springs that are just a hike away, and often have free entry! Soak in the tranquility while meeting some new friends most likely sharing your tub. If you looking to take the easier route, pop by a hot springs spa for the day. Most spas have an entry fee. Fair warning: a good amount of hot springs are clothing optional or become so when the sun goes down.
The Challenge:
Relax in a hot spring of your choice
Mappy Hour Picks:
Orvis Hot Springs (Clothing Optional)
Rainbow Hot Springs
Joyful Journey Hot Springs
Dunton Hot Springs
Adventure 2: Get Hooked
Time to hop in those waders, dust off the tackle box and purchase some grade-a earthworms. We’re going fishin’! Colorado’s rivers and streams are chock-full of trout and salmon. Your challenge is to catch one of those slippery little dudes. A gold star is awarded to those who catch a fish with their bare hands. That would be very impressive!
The Challenge:
Catch a fish in any of Colorado’s rivers or streams (catch and release)
Mappy Hour Picks:
Roaring Fork River
Arkansas River
Animas River
Deckers
Adventure 3: Summer Pow
Colorado plays hosts to world-renowned downhill skiing resorts. Snowboards and skiers alike travel from across the globe to experience the Rocky Mountains. For this check-off the challenge lies during the “off season.” Most ski mountains are open from November to April. Your task is to shred the gnar anytime from May to September. There are one or two resorts that do their best to stay open after the rest, i.e. Arapahoe Basin (don’t miss their East Wall). Other options include many of the state’s glaciers, which are a bit of a hike, but a sweet satisfaction in the end.
The Challenge:
Downhill skiing or snowboard from May – September
Mappy Hour Picks:
St. Mary’s Glacier
Andrew’s Glacier
Loveland Pass
Berthoud Pass
Adventure 4: Find Your Park
The National Parks in Colorado offer some of the most diverse terrain and scenery captured within one state. From the sand dunes amongst the Rocky Mountains to the 3rd longest sheer cliff in the United States (Painted Wall in Black Canyon of the Gunnison), from the historic Puebloan dwellings of Mesa Verda to Trail Ridge Road, the highest paved road in Colorado held within Rocky Mountain National Park. These jewels are truly spectacular to behold!
The Challenge:
Visit any of Colorado’s National Parks
Mappy Hour Picks:
Great Sand Dunes National Park
Rocky Mountain National Park
Mesa Verde National Park
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
Adventure 5: Outdoor Arts, Culture & Sports
Exploring more also includes our backyard. So take an afternoon to discovering our amazing city. Denver is sprinkled with numerous outdoor cultural experiences. Time to take them in! Ever wonder about the purple row of seats at Coors Field or the orange row at Broncos stadium? They both represent exactly one mile above sea level for the Mile High City!
The Challenge:
Take in the Santa Fe Art Walk, relax at Jazz in the Park or attend your favorite pro sporting event and cheer on the home team.
Mappy Hour Picks:
Santa Fe Art Walk
Jazz in the Park
Colorado Rockies – purple row of seats
Denver Broncos – orange row of seats
Adventure 6: Sweat it Out on the Rocks
Jimi Hendrix, The Beatles, John Denver, Ray Charles, The Grateful Dead; Just a few of the most iconic performances to grace the stage of Red Rocks Amphitheater. Possibly you will find yourself jamming out to “Rocky Mountain High” or “Purple Haze” while you sweat it out on the rocks at one of the most unique venues in the world. Athletes alike exercise directly within the Amphitheater, while others prefer to hike on one of the many surrounding trails. Your choice!
The Challenge:
Red Rocks workout
Mappy Hour Picks:
Yoga on the Rocks
Running the steps
Hikes starting from the Red Rocks trailheads
Adventure 7: SUP Man!
Stand up paddle boarding has become extremely popular in Colorado over the past couple of years. If you haven’t gotten on board, now’s the time! With the downtown skyline as your backdrop, Sloan’s Lake is a fabulous Denver hot shop to get your SUP on. For those looking to take a day trip outside of the Mile High City, Gross Reservoir is located just beyond Boulder, provides scenic views of the Foothills and doesn’t charge an entry fee. Boards can be rented from Denver Outdoor Adventure Company and Rocky Mountain Paddleboard. Please note: being accompanied by three pugs on your SUP is optional, but encouraged.
The Challenge:
Stand up paddle board on any CO lake, reservoir or river
Mappy Hour Picks:
Sloan’s Lake
Gross Reservoir
Horsetooth Reservoir
Colorado River
Adventure 8: Hidden Gems
Our state is filled to the gills with adventure. Of course we all know about the top 10 outdoor activities described on Trip Adviser: The Flatirons, Garden of the Gods, Royal Gorge, Colorado National Monument, etc. But what about the journeys explored down the road less traveled? Do you have your personal outdoor hidden gem that hasn’t already been wildly publicized in 5280 Magazine? Remember, this is your gem, which means it can be anything! Be sure to attend the 2020 August Mappy Hour event. Members will be highlighting their own hidden gems!
The Challenge:
Your own secret sweet spot no one knows about… until now!
Mappy Hour Picks:
Fulford Cave
Painted Mines
The Wild Animal Sanctuary
Adventure 9: Take a Hike
As Coloradans, we sure love “baggin 14ers.” This check-off is plain and simple: hike to one of the highest points in the continental US. Easy right? Out of the 58 Colorado peaks, all standing above 14,000 feet, there are very challenging hikes (class 5) and less difficult (class 1). Do your research and select the 14er that suits your endurance and technicality. Leave early to avoid afternoon showers, bring plenty of layers, invest in strong gear (boots and poles) and pack snacks and lots of water. Very important: don’t forget your celebratory beer for the summit!
The Challenge:
Summit a 14er
Mappy Hour Picks:
Mt. Princeton
Mt. Massive
Mt. Elbert
Adventure 10: Two Wheeled Companion
Road bikes, mountain bikes and commuter bikes, oh my! We are spoiled; to have access to many different bike options in such a close proximity is amazing! With the addition of more and more green bike lanes and bike stop lights, Denver is becoming extremely bike-friendly. Mountain bikers are thrilled with the new mountain biker-only trail recently built in Clear Creek Canyon. It plummets 700 feet downhill and begins at a moderate 8,000 feet in elevation. Whether it is riding laps at Wash Park or climbing Independence Pass, Colorado offers road cyclists a vast range of locations. Choose your preference, pump up the tires and set out to check-off this challenge.
The Challenge:
Your favorite road bike excursion, mountain bike trail or city commute
Mappy Hour Picks:
Road: Denver > Golden > Lookout Mountain (via 32nd)
Mountain: Centennial Cone Loop (Clear Creek Canyon)
Commute: South Platte River Trail
