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:
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.
Our rescue dog, Lilly, recently recovered from double-knee surgery and is able to hike again.
We want to do something active over the weekend when we spend time together—something that doesn’t involve a screen.
We love being in nature, as it has so many positive effects on our overall well-being (mentally, physically, spiritually).
Personally, being in nature on a regular basis allows my creativity to flow more easily when I do finally sit down at a computer to write again. (Keep reading to the end of this post to see more of this.)
If you’re a writer or do creative work, you’ll want to be in nature more, trust me. Hopefully, the posts I share about my hiking experiences this year will shed more light on why, and how beneficial it can be for your overall life and creativity.
Full disclosure: I am not an expert hiker, and I’m not sure I aspire to be one either. I am a normal, simple person who writes and wants to explore the beautiful terrain surrounding her and where she lives.
I just want to occasionally break away from the daily grind, reset, enjoy some fresh air, and occasionally be inspired by the natural world surrounding me. That’s it. And I want to share my hiking experiences with you, so you might find some creative inspiration as well, as I document these experiences.
Hike 1: Ridgeline Open Space
1.11.26, approx. 11:30 AM MST
Ridgeline Open Space was perfect for a winter hike, as the trails themselves didn’t offer that much tree coverage. Some portions of the Blue Trail we took also offered a slight incline, perfect for light to moderate exercise— meaning, it was ideal for our first hike of the year, especially since we haven’t hiked in a while.
One of the vistas we encountered on the Blue Trail offered panoramic views of The Rock (for which the Town of Castle Rock is named), Pikes Peak, and the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains. This vista was expansive and covered at least a few acres (I think?). Being up there felt liberating, especially after being cooped up inside the house for a couple days due to a recent mild snowstorm. Honestly, I was surprised by this expansive, natural view since the trails weren’t much higher in elevation than downtown Castle Rock, which is only a few miles away.
There is one major road near the entrance to the trail we took, but after about .5 mile in, we were completely surrounded by nature and unable to hear any traffic. So, this trail is ideal for a quick escape into nature for us, as we’re only a quick 10–15-minute drive from it.
There are probably deer, bears, coyotes, birds, and rattlesnakes in the area, among other animals, though we didn’t see any of them, likely due to the time of day and year we were on the trail.
We probably hiked about 2-3 miles in total but will probably hike much longer distances on future hikes (depending on terrain), though this hike was ideal for our very first hike of the year.
Now, for the creative bit of my experience.
While I was on this trail, I couldn’t stop imagining what my surroundings would look like during Spring or Fall. My imagination was constantly conjuring plants I’m not even sure exist, across the landscape before me, like I was in some sort of live painting. And I was constantly growing leaves and foliage on the bare bushes and tree limbs surrounding me, in my mind’s eye. At least for the first mile or so of the trail…
But after we reached the expansive vista I described above, my vivid imagination began to wane, allowing me to finally appreciate the terrain surrounding me, just as it was. The bare branches and shrubs became natural, neutral ornaments on the snow as the snow melted in the soft sunlight. And the silence surrounding me instilled a profound sense of peace and calm, which reminded me of the main benefit of Winter (one we often forget and take for granted): Stillness.
Being in nature this time of year brings a stillness that comes with a stark reality check regarding its natural and essential place within the cycle of life and living. Because without stillness, life cannot renew or regenerate.
While we might miss the birds singing, we’re reminded that they too need to rest, to ensure their songs remain vivacious and beautiful. And while we might miss the bright greens and purples of the landscape, we’re reminded of all the earth-colored, sturdy roots and life-giving land beneath them. And while we might miss the opportunities to see wildlife— Except for the snakes. The snakes can stay hidden, thanks. — we’re reminded that we can take a page out of their living playbook and hibernate too. I could keep adding to this list, but I think you get the point: Without stillness, there can be no meaningful life or living, and no regeneration of that life or living.
Such a realization has made me feel calmer and more inspired today than I have in quite a while. That, and the restful sleep I was able to get last night after such a peaceful time in nature.
What about you? Do you ever spend time in nature during Winter? If so, what are some things you notice about what Winter can teach us, and or how it can inspire us?
© This work is not available for artificial intelligence (AI) training. All Rights Reserved by K.E. Creighton; Creighton’s Compositions LLC. The above work is a piece of fiction.
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