Shanahan Ridge Neighbors

Get Away to Eldorado! 5 minutes away

Feb 14, 2008

Touted as the second greatest wall climbing mountain scape in the United States, Eldorado Canyon State Park is only minutes away.

Long a Victorian resort get-away, the area still offers the stunning beauty, recreation, history, and special features which found it favored among Denver visitors years ago.

Hiking. Walking access to Eldorado can be made from Shanahan by taking the Shanahan Trail to Mesa Trail. Travel southward to the canyon. Once in the canyon, walkers can enjoy the level grade of the "Fowler Trail" once a railroad grade, via foot or wheelchair. Other simple hikes include walking across the foot bridge in the front of the park or enjoying the views found along the park access road and the picnic grounds to the rear of the park. Ambitious walkers can hike up "Rattlesnake Gulch" to a Continental Divide overlook point--all the time viewing changing images of the Front Range plains through the mouth of the canyon. Longer hikes can be made to Walker Ranch and Bear Peak/South Boulder Peak from trails to the rear and north of the visitor center.

Climbing. Premier US climbing from beginner to expert is available in Eldorado. Contact local climbing/outdoor shops for more info. Gary Neptune's Mountaineering Shop in Table Mesa Center is full of information and instructor contacts.

History. The Cliffs Hotel, Ivy Baldwin's tightwire act, the Eldorado Springs, the Moffat Route transcontinental railroad, the historic Tunnel No. 10 Fire which killed 3 Denver fire fighters in the 1940's--learn about these stories and more at the Eldorado Springs Post Office and the Visitor Center at the State Park.

Picnics/Fishing/Volleyball. Drive to the rear of the park to find streamside picnicking, a volleyball pit, and South Boulder Creek fishing.

Shanahan Ridge is about stunning outdoor recreational access and natural beauty. Eldorado State Park is a national treasure offering both qualities, minutes away from the neighborhood.