Here’s a closer look at Eldorado Canyon near Boulder.

Description: This Front Range oasis is a treasure piece for nearby Boulder. Many rock climbers visit, eager to test the soaring sandstone cliffs that go by the names of Wind Tower, Whale’s Tail and the Bastille, among others. With its handful of scenic trails, the canyon is also a draw for hikers and bikers. The most challenging of the trails is the Eldorado Canyon Trail, a 3.5-mile trek that gains more than 1,000 feet.

Activities: Rock climbing; trails open to hikers, bikers and equestrians; cross-country skiing; snowshoeing; fishing in South Boulder Creek; hunting in Crescent Meadows parcel.

Fun fact: On July 31, 1948, Ivy Baldwin celebrated his 82nd birthday by walking a tightrope across the canyon – a feat spanning 635 feet that he had completed more than 80 times. On Saturday, 25-year-old Colorado resident Taylor VanAllen will recreate the historic crossing.

Wildlife: Mule deer, elk, bear, bobcat, mountain lion, red fox, coyote, bats in Inner Canyon caves, golden eagles, falcons, red-tailed hawks, wild turkeys; fish include brown trout, rainbow brook, longnose dace.

Address: 9 Kneale Road, Eldorado Springs, 80025.

Contact: 303-494-3943, [email protected].

Hours: Sunrise to sunset.

Directions: Take Interstate 25 north for about 50 miles to Colorado 470. Go west about 27 miles and then merge onto U.S. 6 west toward Boulder. Stay straight onto Colorado 93 and, after about 14 miles, turn left onto Eldorado Springs Drive. After about 2 miles, turn right on Artesian Drive and follow to Kneale Road.