Best Ecosystem Trail 2001 | M. Walter Presman Trail | Best of Denver® | Best Restaurants, Bars, Clubs, Music and Stores in Denver | Westword
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Best Ecosystem Trail

M. Walter Presman Trail

This 1.5-mile trail -- completed in 1962 through the efforts of the Denver Botanic Gardens and the U.S. Forest Service -- winds up a peak in the Mount Evans ecosystem, about 55 miles west of Denver. From the lower trailhead in a stand of ancient bristlecone pines, up past the timberline, through alpine tundra above 12,000 feet, the trail provides access to a wide variety of ecologically unique plants, wildlife and geological features. Each summer, volunteers from the Botanic Gardens work to conserve and restore the Presman trail; last year, construction began on a nature center at the lower trailhead. Guided tours along the trail offer visitors the opportunity to learn about the fragile ecosystem and the importance of conservation.

Best Ecosystem Trail

M. Walter Presman Trail

This 1.5-mile trail -- completed in 1962 through the efforts of the Denver Botanic Gardens and the U.S. Forest Service -- winds up a peak in the Mount Evans ecosystem, about 55 miles west of Denver. From the lower trailhead in a stand of ancient bristlecone pines, up past the timberline, through alpine tundra above 12,000 feet, the trail provides access to a wide variety of ecologically unique plants, wildlife and geological features. Each summer, volunteers from the Botanic Gardens work to conserve and restore the Presman trail; last year, construction began on a nature center at the lower trailhead. Guided tours along the trail offer visitors the opportunity to learn about the fragile ecosystem and the importance of conservation.

Best Flying Canine

Clever Corbin

Speedy Clever Corbin has blown away the competition since breaking in last year at the Mile High Kennel Club. Just two years old, the star of the Bryon Legg Kennel won 35 of his first 49 starts, with four seconds and four thirds, and he's lost just once, during the current meet at Cloverleaf Kennel Club in Loveland. The son of local greyhound racing legend Unruly Thomas and Uno Impulso, he will likely represent Cloverleaf in dog racing's annual Night of Stars in early May -- a simulcast of fifteen top-grade races from fifteen U.S. dog tracks.

Best Flying Canine

Clever Corbin

Speedy Clever Corbin has blown away the competition since breaking in last year at the Mile High Kennel Club. Just two years old, the star of the Bryon Legg Kennel won 35 of his first 49 starts, with four seconds and four thirds, and he's lost just once, during the current meet at Cloverleaf Kennel Club in Loveland. The son of local greyhound racing legend Unruly Thomas and Uno Impulso, he will likely represent Cloverleaf in dog racing's annual Night of Stars in early May -- a simulcast of fifteen top-grade races from fifteen U.S. dog tracks.

Best Animal-Attraction Encounters

An Adult Wild Night
The Denver Zoo

An offshoot of the zoo's wildly popular Bunk with the Beasts overnight programs for kids and families, this slumber party is just what it's billed to be -- a campout in the Gates Conservation Center for the 21-and-older set, featuring a guided walk through the zoo after hours (during which you'll observe a variety of nocturnal animals, human and otherwise, up close and personal), a couple of meals and a late-night snack (please avoid nibbling your next-door neighbor) and another behind-the-scenes tour in the morning. Singles are encouraged to sign up, though couples are welcome. The next adult night is in June; early signup is a must.

Best Animal-Attraction Encounters

An Adult Wild Night
The Denver Zoo

An offshoot of the zoo's wildly popular Bunk with the Beasts overnight programs for kids and families, this slumber party is just what it's billed to be -- a campout in the Gates Conservation Center for the 21-and-older set, featuring a guided walk through the zoo after hours (during which you'll observe a variety of nocturnal animals, human and otherwise, up close and personal), a couple of meals and a late-night snack (please avoid nibbling your next-door neighbor) and another behind-the-scenes tour in the morning. Singles are encouraged to sign up, though couples are welcome. The next adult night is in June; early signup is a must.

Best Spring Tailgating

Arapahoe Basin Ski Area

From April through closing (usually around July 4), A-Basin proves that life's a beach, even at 10,000 feet above sea level. Memorial Day features theme buffets, live music, dancing, volleyball games, cookouts, snow biking, beachwear and tailgate parties. And because many of the events happen in the parking lot, you don't even have to ski or ride to enjoy the festivities, although it helps.

Best Spring Tailgating

Arapahoe Basin Ski Area

From April through closing (usually around July 4), A-Basin proves that life's a beach, even at 10,000 feet above sea level. Memorial Day features theme buffets, live music, dancing, volleyball games, cookouts, snow biking, beachwear and tailgate parties. And because many of the events happen in the parking lot, you don't even have to ski or ride to enjoy the festivities, although it helps.

Best Fishing Hole

Cheesman Canyon

We may live in one of the most populated areas between Chicago and L.A., but we can still cut out of work a couple hours early and hit one of the best trout-fishing streams in the country. Take Santa Fe Boulevard south to Sedalia, go west on Route 67 over the Rampart Range to the South Platte, and head upstream past Deckers to the Cheesman Canyon parking area. As is the case with any outdoor activity close to a city, the number of other people drops off exponentially as you walk farther from your car. Hike toward the dam for about half an hour (there's a parking area at the dam, so don't go too far) for some of the best rainbow- and brown-trout fishing you'll see anywhere. Beadhead Pheasant Tails, RSIIs and Black Beauties should all work fine.

Best Fishing Hole

Cheesman Canyon

We may live in one of the most populated areas between Chicago and L.A., but we can still cut out of work a couple hours early and hit one of the best trout-fishing streams in the country. Take Santa Fe Boulevard south to Sedalia, go west on Route 67 over the Rampart Range to the South Platte, and head upstream past Deckers to the Cheesman Canyon parking area. As is the case with any outdoor activity close to a city, the number of other people drops off exponentially as you walk farther from your car. Hike toward the dam for about half an hour (there's a parking area at the dam, so don't go too far) for some of the best rainbow- and brown-trout fishing you'll see anywhere. Beadhead Pheasant Tails, RSIIs and Black Beauties should all work fine.

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