This article was first published in Summer Getaways, an annual magazine from The Denver Post focused on outdoor recreation. Find more Summer Getaways here >>> It’s often said that to truly experience Colorado’s wilderness, you need an overnight backpack and a lot of time on your hands. Or, if you’re in good shape and just a little bit insane, you can try one of these routes as an extreme day hike. These are trails that will take your breath away — figuratively and literally — as you climb, climb and climb some more into the Rocky Mountains.