Photos: Ten best Colorado hikes

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We've now officially entered summer -- and while every season is a great one to enjoy Colorado, the warm weather is the perfect excuse to hit the trail. With that in mind, we've collected this list of the best Colorado hikes, with picks close to town or a drive away culled from our Best of Denver archive. Check out our top ten below, so that next time someone tells you to take a hike, you'll know some great places to go!

Alderfer/Three Sisters Park

Hikes need not be relegated to weekends and vacations. What better way to de-stress after a long workday than by taking in a sunset on a brisk scenic walk? Alderfer/Three Sisters Park is close enough to get to in forty minutes and far enough to feel like an escape from the city. Part of the Jefferson County Open Space program, it's anchored by the rock formations known as the Three Sisters and The Brother, which overlook Bear Creek Basin. The park boasts over ten miles of trails, with most in the half- to two-mile range. Sisters, which weaves through large boulders for just over a mile, is the most strenuous. But keep your eyes open and leave the iPod at home, because it's a popular trail for mountain bikers, too.

Best After-Work Hike, Best of Denver 2008

Herman Gulch

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Herman Gulch, just off I-70 at Exit 218, can sometimes have a clutter of cars at the trailhead, but don't worry: These are similar sorts seeking a quickie escape. And what an escape it is. Once you get beyond the cars -- and out of earshot of the Ski Way, which is only about a mile from the gulch -- all hikers will hear is the sound of a running stream and the birds. Bring a lunch to fend off a grumbling stomach while taking in the views of a pristine lake. The round-trip trek takes only a few hours, but it can seem like a getaway. If it's still not far enough, more determined hikers can take a fork at Jones Pass toward the Continental Divide.

Best Quickie Mountain Hike, Best of Denver 2005

Page down to see more of our top ten Colorado hikes.