Hike 1 of 2026: Ridgeline Open Space

For my first hike in 2026, I went to Ridgeline Open Space in Castle Rock, Colorado. Here are notes from my experience and why I decided to share it with other creatives like you. (Read to the end.)

At the beginning of 2026, I vowed to go on at least one hike per week with my husband and rescue dog, Lilly. There are many reasons we decided to do this:

1. We’re fortunate enough to live in an area of Colorado that has quick access to a ton of trails and outdoor space, or is a short car ride away from them.

2. Our rescue dog, Lilly, recently recovered from do…