First Day Hikes at Staunton State Park!

Start off 2020 on the right foot-join us January 1st for First Day Hikes! The Friends of Staunton State Park will be roasting s'mores and are providing hot dogs to the park so they can cook up a warm snack for you after your hike! Stop by the Track Chair Garage at the Meadow Parking Lot to see us!

There will be multiple hikes from which to choose with various distances, degrees of hiking difficulty, and other topics of interest (history, geology, etc). We'll post details as the day draws closer.

We're happy to once again be supplying hot dogs, s'mores, and hot chocolate to refuel and warm you up after your First Day Hike! Come see us at the Track Chair garage at the Meadows parking lot! Donations not required, but gratefully accepted.

Happy New Year! 2020 is going to be amazing!

Here are the guided hikes that are scheduled for First Day Hikes. You are welcome to join any of these, or simply go on your own. These hikes are all free, but a valid Parks Pass is required to get into the park (either a day pass or a yearly pass). A day pass is $8/vehicle.

Children and leashed pets are welcome, we recommend considering the shorter hikes depending upon weather and their ability to complete the length of the hike. Bring everything you need for hiking such as water, food, and layers. We also recommend binoculars and spikes/traction devices/snowshoes depending on conditions.

Staunton State Park-First Day Hike Around the Top!
Meet at the Ranch Hand Group Picnic area at 8:30am. The hike is moderate, and will be 11.4 miles with an optional cutoff to make it 8 miles. Enjoy an adventurous hike up one of the Park’s most stunning rocky canyons. This hike includes cascading falls of Mason Creek, aspen groves, creek crossings. Travel across the highest trails of Staunton enjoying amazing vistas from the overlooks of Bear Paw and Borderline!! The Old Mill site is included in this hardy hike. The return route continues along Staunton Ranch trail to the meadows Parking lot.

Staunton State Park First Day Hike-The Ranch Loop
This hike will depart from the Ranch Hand Group Picnic Area at Staunton at 9:30am. The hike will be 5.25 miles and is easy depending on snow conditions. This hike will begin at the Ranch Hand Group Picnic Area and will travel down the relatively flat Davis Ponds Loop. We will then connect with the Chase Meadow Trail and discus the importance of this historic property. We will then connect with the Staunton Ranch Trail (the ‘main street’ of Staunton’s 30 mile trail system) traveling downhill to the Dines Meadow Connector Trail. We will cross a beautiful meadow to a connection with the Mason Creek Trail. We will go uphill and explore two newly constructed rest areas including a frozen cascading waterfall. We’ll double back downhill on Mason Creek to the Staunton Ranch Trail where we will hike back to the Group Picnic Area.
Volunteer Guides: Mark and Sandy Fisher

Staunton State Park First Day Hike-Search for Sasquatch
This hike will depart from the Meadow Parking Lot at 09:30am. The hike goes down Staunton Ranch Trail to Scout Line and Marmot Passage. This 7-mile loop is rated moderate and heads up the Staunton Ranch trail, then switchbacks up Scout Line to Marmot Passage trail. The hike then descends back to Staunton Ranch trail for a three-mile return to the parking lot. Mountain vistas make this hike a special way to start the new year.
Volunteer Guides: Gary Finely and Nancy Coburn

Staunton State Park First Day Hike-History and Geology
This hike will depart from the Ranch Hand Group Picnic Area at 10am and will go to the Red Cliffs climbing area. The hike is between 4-5 miles and is moderate. 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 viewing amazing vistas from the destination overlook!
Volunteer Guide: Marlene Schulte

Staunton State Park First Day Hike-Old Mill
This hike will meet at 10am at the Ranch Hand Group Picnic area. The hike will follow Staunton Ranch Trail to Old Mill Trail, with an option to continue on to Borderline Trail. It will be 6-8 miles and is moderate. 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. An interesting look at early 1900’s engineering and history.
Volunteer guide: Debby Henkens