Meet Stasia Callaghan, Backpacker's Denver Trail Scout
Follow Stasia's adventures on her I Don't Live in a Van blog and on Instagram @stasiacallaghan.
Age: 26
Hometown: Breckenridge, CO
Day job: I work for a lodging company in Breckenridge and freelance write on the side.
All-time favorite local dayhike: Mt. Evans via the Chicago Lakes Trail. It's a long haul, but the whole hike is gorgeous (lakes, wildflowers, and high-alpine views) and usually not as crowded as other trails in the Mt. Evans area. Plus, if you don't feel like wrecking your knees on the downhill, you can shuttle a car and drive back down to the trailhead from the summit.
Favorite local overnight hike: Willow Lakes in the Gore Range. I'm a sucker for alpine lakes, and this spot has three--along with killer views of Red Peak. Just don't forget the bug spray if you go in early summer!
Best prehike breakfast spot:Two Brothers Cafe in Idaho Springs. I'm a stickler when it comes to eating a good breakfast, and there's no better prehike meal than a hefty breakfast burrito.
Best posthike dinner spot: Arapahoe Cafe in Dillon.
Favorite thing about hiking around Denver:The easy access to the high alpine! Because Colorado is already so high in elevation, you don't have to look far for a hike that sends you above treeline.
Top tip for Denver hikers: Always pack a softshell jacket. It's breathable enough to hike in and will protect you if surprise weather rolls in, which happens all too often in Colorado.