All 50 States are offering First Day Hikes on January 1, 2016. Parks across the country will be giving hikes to promote healthy lifestyles and year round recreation to America's State Parks.

Please join us for some fun relaxing hikes!! Happy New Year from Staunton State Park!

Hike #1 “Get to Know Staunton State Park”
Name of the trail: Mason Creek/Old Mill/Staunton Ranch/Chase Meadow/ Davis Pond loop/GPA/Staunton Ranch to Mason Creek
Time of the event: Depart at 9:30am
Meeting location: Mason Creek Trailhead
Degree of difficulty: Moderate to Difficult (depends on snow conditions) Bring yak traks, hiking poles etc
Minimum age for children: 10 years of age and older
Any restrictions: Leashed pets are permitted
Length of hike: 8-9 miles
Things to bring (water, snowshoes, snacks, etc) Weather appropriate gear
Cancellation information: call the park office 303-816-0912
Description of the hike: Enjoy a hike to “get acquainted with Staunton State Park.
This hike will begin traveling up Mason Creek to the Old mill site connecting with Staunton Ranch Trail. From there you travel along the newest volunteer built trail (Chase Meadow) connecting with the Davis Pond trail back to the Group Picnic area. Catch Staunton ranch trail back to the trail head for a completed loop. Get acquainted with Staunton State Park as your guides share the stories of how this land became open to the public as the newest Colorado State Park.
Volunteer Leaders: Mark and Sandy Fisher

Hike #2 “History and Geology”

Name of Trail: Staunton Ranch Trail (History and Geology)
Time of event: Depart at 10:00
Meeting Location: Main Parking lot Trailhead
Degree of difficulty: Moderate (dependent upon if we will be snowshoeing or just regular hiking)
Minimum age for children: 5 years of age and older
Any restrictions: Leashed pets are permitted
Length of hike: 4-5 miles
Things to bring: Bring water, snack, snowshoes or Yak-Tracs, poles
Cancellation information: call the park office 303-816-0912
Description of hike: Hikers will see meadows, pine forests, aspen tree groves, unique rock formations, wildlife, cabins and much more. Learn about the history of Staunton State Park while visiting the many unique geological structures located throughout the park.
Volunteer leader: Marlene Schulte

Hike #3 “Search for Sasquatch”
Name of the trail: Raymond Searches for Sasquatch!!
Time of the event: Depart at 1100
Meeting location: Group Picnic Area Parking Lot
Degree of difficulty: Moderate to Difficult
Minimum age for children: Kids and dogs welcome
Any restrictions: Leashed pets are permitted
Length of hike: Approximately 11 miles
Things to bring: Water, snacks, Snow shoes, weather appropriate gear
Cancellation information: call the park office 303-816-0912
Description of the hike: Travel through the numerous trails in Staunton State Park in search of the elusive Sasquatch! Travel through ponderosa pine forests, Aspen groves, rock outcroppings and cross creek beds all while keeping on alert for a creature rumored to roam around Staunton State Park!!
Volunteer Leaders: Gary Finley

Hike #4 “Mystery History”
Name of trail: Mystery History Hike
Time of the event: Depart at 1:00
Meeting Location: Group Picnic Area
Degree of Difficulty: Easy
Any Restrictions: Leashed pets are permitted
Length of hike: Approximately 1.5 miles
Things to bring: Water, Snacks, weather appropriate gear
Cancellation information: call the park office 303-816-0912
Description of hike: Travel back in time along the mason creek trail as you visit an old stone house. Who built the structure? What was it used for?
Your guides will share the stories of those who lived here before the land became a park and the history of putting the park together.
Volunteer leaders: Randi Boldra

Hike #5 Old Mill Hike
Name of trail: Staunton Ranch to Old Mill
Time of the event: Depart at 11:00
Meeting Location: Group Picnic Area
Degree of Difficulty: Easy
Any Restrictions: Leashed pets are permitted
Length of hike: Approximately 6 miles
Things to bring: Water, Snacks, weather appropriate gear
Cancellation information: call the park office 303-816-0912
Description of hike: Follow Black Creek up to the site of the Staunton’s saw mill site. Visit the remaining bunk house and the remains of the mill itself. Your guide will explain how loggers used a cable system to move logs down from Black Mountain to be milled at the site. An interesting look at early 1900’s engineering and history.
Volunteer leaders: Debbie Henkens