2016 CO First Day Hikes at Staunton State Park, Jan 1st

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: 6 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 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.[/i]

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

Happy Holidays and Seasons Greetings from all of us at Friends of Staunton State Park! Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas and wonderful New Year! (Yes, Staunton State Park is open today and tomorrow if you wish to get your family outdoors! Park hours are 8am-5pm)


www.friendsofstauntonstatepark.org/webcam

Many thanks to Jessi Marlatt for this recent article in the High Timber Times about our upcoming CO First Day Hikes!
Take a walk on the wild side - Welcome the year with a New Year’s Day hike at Staunton State Park

This year Staunton volunteers will lead five hikes to educate participants on various subjects ranging from geology to the history of the park, and one hike will even search for the elusive Sasquatch.

The First Day Hikes range in difficulty from easy to moderate, and trail conditions are expected to be snowy and icy in spots. Participants should dress appropriately with insulated pants, boots, traction aids and gloves, and should bring plenty of water and snacks, Taylor said.

All guided hikes are free. The $7-per-vehicle state park entrance fee will be in effect. Water bottles and coffee mugs will be given to participants, and the Friends of Staunton State Park will serve hot chocolate and tea throughout the day.

“A lot of people ask if this park is closed in the winter, and the answer is absolutely not,” said Ann Thran, summer environmental education interpreter and winter volunteer at Staunton. “We have a lot of stuff going on all winter. People come out and cross-country ski, we have snowshoeing and ice fishing if you want to do that, and there are guided hikes in the winter, too.”

Other winter activities at Staunton include sledding, fat-tire mountain biking and some downhill skiing, said Taylor.

It's a beautiful day for a guided hike at your local state park!

2016 First Day Hikes at Staunton State Park
We had a wonderful turnout of people (and furry friends) who came to celebrate the new year with a guided hike at our favorite state park! The four groups holding the banner represent each of the four guided hikes scheduled that day. Please feel free to tag yourself or friends you see in here! Many thanks again to the Staunton State Park volunteers who organized and led the hikes; a good time was had by all!








View more pictures on our Facebook Page ! Don't forget to tag us or Staunton State Park - Colorado Parks and Wildlife 's brand new official page!