I've lived in the Denver metropolitan area for nine years and had not set foot in Cherry Creek State Park until today.

The park, which is popular with water sports enthusiasts, hikers and bikers, sits right in the middle of the greater metro area, and I've drive by it tons of times, but it's always been a bit elusive for me.

Maybe it's because, when I've been in the mood for a hike, I've always gone up to Rocky Mountain National Park or down to the Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs...