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9Adventures: Caribou Ranch Open Space

“It clears your headspace, as the old hippies would say," hiker Deborah Hailey said.

Flashback to the middle of July up in Boulder County.

The air is warm.

Wildflowers are blooming and hiking trail traffic at Caribou Ranch Open Space near Nederland is moving at a slower pace.

On this beautiful summer day, a group of seniors got together for a hike.

“I’ll be 69 next month,” said Deborah Hailey, who has since celebrated that birthday. 

She drove up from Boulder to join the hike.

“It clears your headspace, as the old hippies would say," she said. "Just the fresh air and the sunshine and the nature gives you a chance to relax and reset yourself."

Boulder County puts on several different hikes specifically for seniors throughout the summer and fall.

“Once you get over a certain age, you don’t want to do this stuff by yourself,” Hailey explained. “That’s my problem. I usually don’t have anybody to hike with.”

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Two naturalists from the county lead the seniors on the trail for a hike -- free of charge. 

“There’s nothing like Colorado in the summertime. It’s my favorite place.” Hailey said.

The group of about 10 hikers worked up a little sweat, but they also hey had time to see the blooming wildflowers and to get to know one another.

“I met a lot of nice people today,” Hailey said with a smile. “If you are home alone a lot, this is a way to meet other people. That’s for sure.”

>> For more info on future hikes in Boulder County, visit the county's events calendar

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