WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 12, 2024
VOLUME 20 | ISSUE 11
FREE
In-N-Out For 25 years, Happy Hikers have blazed a trail across Arvada and beyond opens in Arvada Arvada welcomes In-N-Out at 52nd and Wadsworth BY LILLIAN FUGLEI SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA
For 25 years, the Happy Hikers of Arvada have met nearly every week for hikes organized by members of the club.
Senior hiking group encourages exploring and camaraderie BY LILLIAN FUGLEI SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA
To most people, Tuesday is just the second day of the work or school week. To the Happy Hikers of Arvada, Tuesday means it’s time to hit the trail. For the last 25 years, the Happy Hikers — a tightknit group of seniors —
have spent nearly every Tuesday hiking, rain or shine. The group evolved out of a summer hiking group run by the Senior Center of North Jeffco Park and Recreation District — now known as Apex Park and Recreation District. As the summer came to a close, several hikers decided they wanted to keep the party going, this time organizing hikes themselves. They passed around a piece of paper, writing down their names and numbers, and the Happy Hikers group was born. “We had enjoyed each other’s company during
that first year that we had hiked,” said Mark McGoff. “I think we just kind of knew we wanted to continue hiking, and we wanted to hike with people that we already knew.” The hikes, which are organized by members of the group, have rules. Members take turns organizing the hikes. Members take turns driving to the hike together. Members can’t meet at the trailhead, they meet up somewhere in town and drive together — a way of building camaraderie in the group. “Following the hike, we stop and have some kind
VOICES: 14 | VOTER VOICES: 16| CALENDAR: 19 | SPORTS: 22
COURTESY OF MARK MCGOFF
of treat,” said McGoff. “We talk over the hike and laugh and enjoy things.” The Happy Hikers treks extend outside of Colorado. Members of the group have organized trips to several national parks, including Yellowstone, Glacier and Grand Canyon. They’ve visited cities — like New York City or Washington DC — trading their mountain hikes for an urban setting. Some hikers have even taken their treks abroad — visiting Australia, Africa, England and Switzerland. SEE HIKERS, P4
After months of anticipation, In-N-Out has opened in Arvada. On Sept. 5, Arvadans filled the parking lot of Arvada Marketplace to feast on Double-Doubles and animal-style fries — signatures of the popular Californian late-night dining export. Opening morning was a quieter affair than past Colorado In-N-Out openings. As the restaurant opened for the first time, the drive-through line snaked through the Arvada Marketplace parking lot—but didn’t spill out of the lot. By lunchtime though, lines grew longer. The In-N-Out — Arvada’s first — is located at 7494 W. 52nd Ave. and will be open 7 days a week, from 10:30 a.m. to 1 a.m. Sundays through Thursdays, and from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. “We’re super excited to be here in Arvada,” said In-NOut Vice President of Operations George Charlesworth. SEE IN-N-OUT, P6
ARVADAPRESS.COM • A PUBLICATION OF COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA