Morrison, Colorado, sits at the gateway to compelling outdoor adventures, where evening traffic can quickly become a test of patience for travelers wrapping up their day. Planning your departure with intention not only saves time but keeps the journey as rewarding as the destination. Here’s a practical guide to timing your exit and avoiding the bottlenecks that spring to life in the evening rush.

Evenings near Morrison see a surge of visitors heading out from the area’s trailheads and attractions like Red Rocks Amphitheatre. These backroads, twisting through canyons and forested hills, can freeze into slow-moving lines between 4:30 PM and 7:00 PM. But this window is also a chance to strategize: if you start your hike early, before noon, you can beat this crowd at its own game.

Consider a moderate hike, such as the Bear Creek Trail, which is approximately 4.2 miles round trip with a 630-foot elevation gain. The terrain alternates between shaded forest patches and expansive views of the foothills, where piñon pines seem to lean closer as dusk approaches. Setting off by 8 AM means you finish around midday, giving you ample time to clear the area before traffic spikes. If a later hike is your style, leaving the trailhead by 2 PM still offers a comfortable buffer to exit before the main traffic surge.

Hydration and footwear are essentials in this terrain. The dry air demands steady water intake, while trails can fluctuate from smooth, packed dirt to rocky sections that challenge your footing. Quality hiking shoes with good grip will keep you steady on uneven ground.

Timing also extends to your route home. The fastest corridors out of Morrison can clog quickly, but side routes through adjacent neighborhoods and using alternate highways like CO-8 provide viable escapes if you leave a little early. Checking live traffic apps 30 minutes before departure is your best bet to spot unexpected delays.

By syncing your adventure’s timing with the natural rhythm of Morrison’s traffic patterns, you ensure that the last memories of the day remain ones of open skies and quiet trails, not honks and brake lights.