Staunton State Park 2022 First Day Hikes/Bike
Visit Meadows Parking Lot for Giveaways, Hotdogs, Hot Chocolate and S’mores!!
Bike #1 “Get to Know Staunton State Park”
Planned Bike route: Staunton Ranch to Marmot Passage to Elk Falls Pond / Cabin. We will see if trail conditions are favorable for an optional loop on West Meadow to Chimney Rock if there is interest / ability. Return via Bugling Elk to Staunton Ranch and maybe even a Cabin District detour. If snow is too deep on Marmot Passage we will take Bugling Elk to the pond.
Meeting Location: Meadows Parking Lot
Time of Event: 10am
Length: This will be about an 8.6 mile RT loop / out and back to Elk Falls Pond. Add 3.7 miles for optional West Meadow and Chimney Rock loop. Total max 12.3 miles and about 1,540' cumulative vertical of elevation gain / loss! Plan on 2.5-3.5 hours RT (depending West Meadow/ Chimney Rock addition). A good way to start off the new year!
Things to bring: Fat bikes would be required. Weather appropriate gear, sunscreen, water (at least 1.5 liters), lunch/snacks.
Degree of difficulty: Intermediate (depends on snow conditions)
Volunteer Guide: Shane Matson
Hike #2 ‘Lions Head, Elk Falls Overlook, and great views of the Continental Divide’
Trails Hiked: Scout Line, Marmot Passage, Chimney Rock, Lions Back, Lions Head
(summit loop), Bugling Elk, (upper) Staunton Ranch
Time of the event: Depart promptly at 8:30am.
Meeting location: (New) Lazy V Ranch parking lot (well inside park)
Degree of difficulty: Difficult/strenuous
Minimum age or children: 12 years of age and older (exception: kids with backcountry experience) Leashed pets are permitted
Length of hike: 9.5 mi.*, 2200 ft elevation gain (approximate time: 5 hrs.)
Things to bring: Weather appropriate gear, sunscreen, water (at least 1.5 liters), lunch/snacks. Traction devices highly recommended.
Description of the hike: Come join us for a somewhat challenging hike to the west end of the park -- and take the summit loop around our famous landmark, Lions Head! The LH trail is accessible only during certain times of the year (closed mid Mar – end of July), so here’s a great opportunity to enjoy it! Better yet, starting at the new parking lot keeps this scenic tour to around 10 miles.We’ll begin by ascending Scout Line, then connecting to Marmot Passage, where we’ll have great views of Mt Evans and the Divide. We’ll descend to Elk Falls Pond, then follow scenic Elk Creek to near Chimney Rock, then head uphill to the Lions Back trail and Elk Falls Overlook. After a nice jaunt around Lions Head (with great views to the south and west), we’ll take an easier return route (Lions Back/Bugling Elk/Staunton Ranch). *Hike may be shortened somewhat depending on conditions.
Volunteer Guides: Jen Nickerson and Jenna Yeager
Route can be viewed on Colorado Trails Explorer - Cotrex (trails.colorado.gov):
trails.colorado.gov/routes/66343?t=juGQxYTfEBeyDQgJoHdo
Hike #3 “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
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 #4 “Search for Sasquatch”
Name of the trail: Davis ponds to Chase Meadow to Cabn District to Staunton Ranch back to Group Picnic Area
Time of the event: Depart at 1100
Meeting location: Group Picnic Area Parking Lot
Degree of difficulty: Mild Moderate
Minimum age for children: Kids and dogs welcome
Any restrictions: Leashed pets are permitted
Length of hike: Approximately 4 miles
Things to bring: Water, snacks, Snow shoes, weather appropriate gear
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: Joanne Blasberg
Hike #5 Mason Creek Trail to the Catamount Overlook
Starting Point: Meadow Parking Lot Information Kiosk
Starting Time: 9:00 am
Time Frame: 4 hours
Distance: 6.5 miles
Difficulty: Moderate degree of difficulty. In the winter time, it is a bit more difficult if there is recent snow. Trekking poles and traction devices would be a must as the trail can get icy in the canyon. Elevation Change: Approx. 1,000 ft.
Best for adults and children over 12
Description: The initial couple miles follow Mason Creek uphill through a beautiful canyon where the climate and forest differ from the primarily Ponderosa Pine Forest that is predominant in other areas of the park. Here you will find the temperature is typically 10 or more degrees cooler and the humidity is much higher than elsewhere in the park. This creates a rain forest type environment that promotes growth of thick underbrush and a huge variety of spruce and deciduous foliage. There are many great stopping places along this section including climbing rocks and cascades.
Once you continue above the canyon, toward Bear Paw trail, the environment changes into a breathtaking aspen forest where wildlife is often seen. Here you meander through the trees until you surprisingly come across the first of 3 overlooks, Catamount Overlook. On a clear day, you can see the entire front range from Square Top
Gear: appropriate layers (breathable fabrics and wind resistant outer layer), gloves, good hiking shoes, traction devices (spikes work best), trekking poles, hat, extra socks, sunglasses, sunscreen, neck gator or mask, plenty of water, energy snacks, cell phone.
Route: Dines Meadow spur from Meadows Lot to Mason Creek Trail to Bear Paw Trail to Catamount Overlook and back.
If the weather is bad, we will not go beyond Mason Creek canyon (2 miles).
Volunteer Leader: John Lewis
