Trail conditions at Staunton State Park

Staunton State Park trails report for November 25, 2018

An overnight snowstorm on the 24th provided the park with about 1-2” of much needed precipitation. Before the storm, all trails in the park were mixed with lower trails in mostly dry conditions and a mixture of snow pack and icy conditions on upper trails. Caution should be taken by trail users at the junction of Lions Back and Chimney Rock trails with icy conditions below the new snow. Hikers should consider using spikes for lower areas of Chimney Rock trail and in Mason Creek canyon. Watch for snow covered ice flow on east Border Line trail near the Old Mill.

Lower trails
Lower trails are covered with 1-2 inches of power with a few patches of ice and snow, but spikes are not necessary. These trails include Staunton Ranch, lower Mason Creek, Davis Ponds, Chase Meadows and the Cabins district.

Upper trails
Mason Creek Canyon and upper Mason Creek--(MC)--icy and snow packed in areas.
Bear Paw--(BP)--portions are snow packed and icy. Technical areas were dry before last night’s snow.
Border Line-- (BL)--icy and snow packed--east side---west side--1-2” of power
Old Mill--(OM)--icy and snow packed
Scout Line--(SL)--icy and snow packed with areas of dry trail
Marmot Passage--(MP)--icy and snow packed--east side---mostly dry areas west side
Chimney Rock--(CR)---caution needed when coming down to junction of Chimney Rock and Lions Back--east side---icy and snow packed--spikes recommended for this part of trail. Upper west side, 1-2” of powder.
Elk Falls--(EF)--1-2” of powder.
Lions Back--(LB)--snow packed and icy
Lions Head--(LH)--snow packed and icy
West Meadow--(WM)--snow packed and icy
Bugling Elk--(BE)--snow packed and icy

Several trails have iced over water crossings like this one on Mason Creek Trail. This photo was taken before last nights snow. Use extra caution on Borderline, Mason Creek and Bugling Elk.


Mason Creek Trail in the canyon (before the snow on Nov 24th)


Bugling Elk at the intersection of Chimney Rock (before the snow on Nov 24th)


Technical section of Bear Paw (before the snow on Nov 24th)

Staunton State Park trails report for December 8, 2018

Due to the storms earlier this week, along with bitter cold, conditions have changed and visitors can expect snowy, snow-packed and icy conditions on many trails in various forms. Lower trails, while mostly dry, have some areas of packed snow and upper trails are mostly snow covered. All visitors should use caution on trails as ice from previous melting exists under the snow. As temperatures warm this coming week, expect thawing and re-freezing on upper trails and drier conditions on lower trails.

Cautions: Ice flows on some trails exist and have grown larger. All users should take caution, especially when coming down upper Mason Creek trail, Mason Creek canyon, Border Line trail on the east side and at the junction of Lions Back and Chimney Rock trails.

As of the present date, limited snow shoeing is possible on some upper trails including Mason Creek and Bear Paw. Spikes are recommended for upper Mason Creek trail and Chimney Rock trail.

Lower Trails
Stanton Ranch--(SR)--mostly dry but with some patches of packed snow

Davis Ponds--(DP)--mostly dry

Lower Mason Creek--(MC)--mostly dry with some snowy areas

Chase Meadows--(CM)--mostly dry with some snowy areas

Historic Cabin District--mostly dry

Climbing Access trails---mostly dry

Access road--packed snow

Upper Trails
Mason Creek canyon--(MC)--snow packed and icy--Caution--users coming down the canyon should be aware of ice flows across creeks and icy conditions

Upper Mason Creek--(MC)--snowy and snow packed--Caution--a large ice flow exists near the aspen meadow

Bear Paw--(BP)--snowy and snow packed. Technical area is snow covered.

Old Mill--(OM)--mixture of dry and snow packed areas

Border Line--(BL)--snow covered and packed--caution--an ice flow exists on the east side near the Old Mill--west side has some areas of dry mixed with snow

Marmot Passage--(MP)--snow covered and packed on east side with some dry areas mixed with snow packed patches on the summit and west side

Scout Line--(SL)--mixture of dry areas and snow pack

Lions Back--(LB)--Caution--a large ice flow exists at the junction with Chimney Rock trail. Snowy and snow packed conditions exist on this trail.

Chimney Rock--(CR)--Caution--users coming down this trail should use extreme caution as an ice flow exists at the eastern trailhead junction with Lions Back trail. Eastern section is snow packed and icy while the upper (western) section is drying mixed with snow pack.

Elk Falls--(EF)--mostly dry

Lions Head--(LH)--snowy

West Meadow--(WM)--snowy and snow packed

Bugling Elk--(BE)--some snow pack with drying areas on the west side

Staunton State Park trails report for December 29, 2018

Please note: on Tuesday January 1 the park will be hosting First Day First Hikes. Park volunteers will be leading various hikes into the park. For more information on hikes and times, please check our First Day Hikes thread.

Due to several recent storms, all trails in the park are snow covered. With much colder weather and more storms in the forecast, these conditions are not likely to change much in the coming week. Expect trails to become snow packed and icy with use over the next several days. In addition, be aware that light snow is covering some areas of packed snow and ice, especially on upper trails making for slippery conditions.

Cautions: large ice flows exist in Mason Creek canyon and upper Mason Creek trail. Also, an ice flow exists on Border Line trail near the Old Mill. Rangers have placed barriers around a large ice flow at the junction of Lions Back and Chimney Rock trails. Caution should be taken when coming down these trails. Caution signs have been posted at these locations. Dismounting in these areas is recommended.

***spikes/traction is recommended for Mason Creek, Chimney Rock and Border Line trails.

***Snow Shoeing and skiing may be possible, especially on the upper trails such as Bear Paw and West Meadow after the predicted storm on Monday.

Happy New Year from the staff and volunteers of Staunton State Park.

Scout Line Trail


Chimney Rock Trail


Bugling Elk/Chimney Rock/Lions Back trail junction.


Beautiful winter vista of Cathedral Rocks from hiker only Scout Line Trail.

Staunton State Park trails report for February 2, 2019

All trails in the park have some level of snow covering. As a result of storms from the previous week, visitors can expect snowy, snow-packed and icy conditions. Spikes/traction should be considered when hiking. Bikers: some trails, especially upper trails, are not packed. Another storm expected at mid-week could drop more snow on trails, so expect conditions to remain snowy.

Most ice flows are now covered with snow, but caution should still be used over creek crossings and especially coming down some trails including Mason Creek, Lions Back and Chimney Rock.

Lower trails are snow-packed, slushy and icy and as thawing, and re-freezing takes place each day, trails will become more difficult to navigate without traction. These trails include Staunton Ranch (SR), lower Masons Creek (MC), Davis Ponds (DP), Chase Meadows (CM) and the Cabin District trail. All climbing access trails are snow covered.

Upper Trails:

• Access road--snow packed with some icy spots
• Mason Creek and Mason Creek Canyon--(MC)--snow packed---spikes recommended
• Bear Paw--(BP)--deep snow and snow pack
• Old Mill--(OM)--snow packed
• Border Line--(BL)--snow packed
• Scout Line--(SL)--lower section switchbacks are snow packed and icy--upper section--some drying but mostly snow packed---spikes recommended
• Marmot Passage--(MP)--east side is snow packed---summit and west side--long stretches of ice--snow packed---technical areas are icy---spikes recommended
• Chimney Rock--(CR)--deep snow--not well packed (snowshoe)
• Elk Falls--(EF)--icy and snow packed--spikes recommended
• Lions Back--(LB)--deep snow--not well packed (snowshoe)
• Lions Head--(LH)--deep snow--not broken in (snowshoe)
• West Meadow--(WM)--deep snow--not packed (snowshoe)
• Bugling Elk--(BE)--snow packed and icy

A winter hike to Elk Falls is well worth the effort.


Davis Ponds Trail is mostly snow packed.


Lions Head Trail has yet to be broken in.


Marmot Passage Trail has long sections of ice


Lions Back approaching Chimney Rock is snow packed

Staunton State Park Trails Report for February 10, 2019

Recent storms have dumped lots of snow on the park and all trails have some form of precipitation. Lower trails are snow packed and icy with some stretches of dry while upper trails are mostly snow packed and some are not well-packed.

Please note: Bikers and equestrians--Bear Paw trail is not recommended for these users as the trail contains deep snow that is not well-packed. West Meadow and Chimney Rock have similar conditions although not as severe.

Cautions:
Users coming down Mason Creek canyon should be aware of a large area of ice in a steep section of the canyon. Orange cones are located here. Also, users coming down Lions Back and Chimney Rock trails should use caution at the junction of these trails as an ice flow still exists under the packed snow. The new bypass trail can be used for Lions Back.

Sn ow Shoeing and limited skiing is possible on upper trails such as Bear Paw, Mason Creek, Border Line, Marmot Passage and West Meadow.
Spikes/traction are recommended for ALL trails in the park.

Lower trails
These include Staunton Ranch (SR), Davis Ponds (DP), Chase Meadow (CM), all Climbing Access trails and the Cabin District trail---conditions are snow packed, icy and with stretches of dry area.

Upper trails

• Mason Creek canyon--(MC)--snow packed---a large section of icy exists and caution should be used when coming down this trail. Orange cones indicate this area.
• Mason Creek-- (MC)--snow packed
• Bear Paw--(BP)--very little pack--not recommended for bikes or equestrian use, but good snow shoeing and skiing
• Old Mill--(OM)--snow packed with some icy areas
• Border Line-- (BL)--snow packed mostly with some dry sections and icy areas on west side
• Scout Line (SL)--lower (south) section is snow packed and icy--upper (north) section is snow packed
• Marmot Passage--(MP) mostly snow packed with some drying and icy conditions on west side
• Chimney Rock (CR)--not well packed--some deep snow
• Elk Falls (EF)--some drying with icy and snow packed sections
• Lions Back (LB)--snow packed---deep snow on upper section
• Lions Head--(LH)--not broken in--deep snow
• West Meadow--(WM)--not well packed--some areas of deep snow
• Bugling Elk--(BE)--snow packed
• Access Road--snow packed

Staunton State Park Trails Report for February 16, 2019

Warmer weather this past week has resulted in thawing and re-freezing on trails. As a result, expect icy and slushy conditions with some muddy and dry areas. With more snow and colder temperatures in the forecast, the probability that trails will be snow covered later in this week is good.
◆ Hikers: traction/spikes are recommended for ALL trails.
◆ Bikers: Bear Paw and West Meadow trails will still be challenging to navigate due to deep snow that is not well-packed.

Conditions for snow shoeing or skiing are currently NOT GOOD, but storms early this week could be promising for these activities.

● Cautions: Due to warmer temperatures, melting has caused ice flows over creeks to grow. Use caution on Mason Creek, Border Line and Scout Line trails where trails cross creeks. Also, use extreme caution when coming down Mason Creek canyon as a large section of ice exists. Orange warning cones surround this area. In addition, melting has caused pools of water and ice to form on the west side of Bugling Elk trail making for difficult crossing in spots.

Lower trails:
All lower trails are snow-packed, mostly slushy and icy with some muddy and dry areas. These include Staunton Ranch (SR), lower Mason Creek (MC), Chase Meadow (CM), the Cabin District, Davis Ponds (DP), all climbing access trails and the access road.
*Spikes/traction is recommended for these trails.

Upper trails:

• Mason Creek canyon (MC)--snow packed and icy--some dry areas. Caution: a large area of ice exists and caution should be used when coming down this area.
• Mason Creek--(MC)--snow packed and icy
• Bear Paw--(BP)--deep snowpack
• Old Mill--(OM)--snow packed and icy
• Border Line--(BL)--snow-packed--especially on summit and east side--some drying and muddy areas on west side---use caution as an ice flow exists on east side near Old Mill
• Scout Line--(SL)--the lower (south ) side is especially icy on the switchbacks and caution should be used when coming down this trail. Some areas of dry mixed with snow pack exist on the upper(west) side.
• Marmot Passage--(MP)--the east side and summit are snow packed with icy areas. The technical areas on the summit are icy. West side has stretches of ice mixed with dry areas.
• Chimney Rock--CR)--mostly snow-packed--some dry areas on the upper portion
• Elk Falls--(EF)--some snow pack and ice mixed with dry areas.
• Lions Back--(LB)--deep snow pack
• Lions Head--(LH)--not well-packed--deep snow--This trail is closing March 15.
• West Meadow--(WM)--deep snow not well packed in areas---dry areas on western edge
• Bugling Elk--(BE)--west side has pools of snow melt on trail--east side is snow packed and icy in spots

Pikes Peak view from Scout Line Trail


Marmot Passage Technical areas are snow-packed and icy


West Meadow could use some traffic. Snowshoes anyone?


Portions of Bugling Elk could use a pontoon bridge.


Melt/freeze cycles are expanding ice flows on many trails

National Day of Unplugging:

A 24 hour global respite from technology. it highlights the value of disconnecting from digital devices to connect with ourselves, our loved ones and our communities in real time.

Join us for national day of unplugging 2019 from sundown to sundown, March 1 - 2.

What better way to unplug than to get outdoors at our local state park!
www.nationaldayofunplugging.com/

Photo by Staunton State Park, who also reminds us:

We are expecting snow showers today and the possibility of significant accumulating snow on Saturday. This week’s melt and freeze cycle has expanded the ice flows on several of our trails. Just a 1” snowfall will camouflage these hazards. We recommend you apply your micro-spikes to your boots on all of our snow-packed trails.

Once you get past the short stretches of nature’s hazards, incredible views await!

See photos here: www.facebook.com/visitStauntonStatePark/...0782/?type=3&theater

Staunton State Park Trails Report for March 9, 2019

Warmer, dryer weather this past week is causing trails to dry out, but also melt and re-freeze. Most trails still have areas of slush and ice along with some dry areas. If the storm forecast for this week materializes and dumps more snow on the park, expect conditions to become snowy along with layers of ice underneath.

Some form of spikes/tractions are recommended for ALL trails in the park with the exception of Davis Ponds. Skiing is not possible as of this date, but snow shoeing is still possible on some upper trails such as Bear Paw and Lions Head, but note that Lions Head trail will only be open until Friday March 15. This trail will not reopen until August 1.

● Cautions: Due to thawing, trails with creek crossings have enlarged ice flows. These include upper Mason Creek and Mason Creek canyon, Border Line, Old Mill, the junction of Lions Back and Chimney Rock and lower Scout Line trails. EXTREME CAUTION SHOULD BE USED WHEN COMING DOWN MASON CREEK CANYON AS A LARGE SECTION OF ICE EXISTS IN THE STEEP AREA. BIKERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO DISMOUNT HERE.

Lower Trails:
These will include lower Mason Creek, Davis Ponds, lower Staunton Ranch, the cabins district and all climber access trails---as of this date some drying has occurred and they are a mixture of dry areas with slush and ice. Spikes/traction recommended. The access road has some dry and muddy areas. Upper Staunton Ranch has some slushy and icy areas.

Upper Trails:
Mason Creek canyon (MC)--icy and snow packed---caution should be used when coming down this section of trail

• Mason Creek (MC)--snow packed and icy in spots
• Bear Paw--(BP)--deep snow---single track is packed--snow shoeing is possible on this trail
• Old Mill--(OM)--snow packed with lengthy sections of ice and several ice flows
• Border Line--(BL)--snow packed with some icy sections--an ice flow exists near the Old Mill--west side has some dry areas
• Scout Line--(SL)--lots of dry areas on summit---east side (switchbacks) is icy in some areas--a large ice flow exists at the creek crossing---north side is snow packed
• Marmot Passage--(MP)--east side is snow packed--summit--snow pack with some drying and icy areas---west side some icy areas with drying
• Chimney Rock--(CR)--snow packed--lower sections with some drying on west (upper) section
• Lions Back--(LB)-- heavy snow packed
• Lions Head--(LH)--deep snow requiring snowshoes. Note that this trail is closing this coming Friday, March 15th
• Elk Falls--(EF)--some snow pack with drying
• West Meadow--(WM)--some snow pack with drying on upper sections with deeper snow pack on the east (lower) side
• Bugling Elk--(BE)--west side has some drying with puddles of standing water and mud--east side some snow pack and icy areas

A hiker along with a canine friend applies micro-spikes after encountering an icy stretch of Staunton Ranch Trail.


Lower trails are a ‘mixed bag.’


Upper Mason Creek Trail


Staunton Rocks Overlook

Staunton State Park Trails Report - March 30, 2019

➡️ A good deal of drying took place in the park this past week until the storm came in and dropped several inches of snow. As a result, as of this date, all trails are once again covered with some precipitation including snow, ice, slush and mud. With warm temperatures and dryer conditions this coming week, expect trails to dry out again. Upper trails are still snow covered for the most part.

❗️Cautions: Mountain bikers and equestrians---Bear Paw and West Meadow trails are still NOT recommended. West Meadow is not broken in and Bear Paw contains deep snow at the summit.

❄️ Icy conditions exist in Mason Creek canyon--all users are urged to use caution especially when coming down this trail. Hikers should use micro-spikes on this trail.
❄️ Ice flows exist at creek crossings on Mason Creek, Old Mill, Border Line and Scout Line trails.

⬇️ Lower trails: These include Staunton Ranch, Davis Ponds, lower Mason Creek, Chase Meadows, the cabin district trail, climbing access and access road--trails will be muddy and slushy early in the week and will dry out toward the end of the week.

⬆️ Upper trails: include Mason Creek canyon, upper Mason Creek, Border Line, Bear Paw, Scout Line, Marmot Passage, Chimney Rock, Elk Falls, West Meadow, Lions Back and Bugling Elk. Trails still have icy and snow packed areas, some with deep snow. A new layer of snow is covering these trails since this recent storm. As warmer temperatures come in this week, expect melting and thawing and some slushy and muddy conditions. Spikes/traction still recommended for some of these trails.

⛔️ Lions Head trail is closed until August 1.

Lower Mason Creek was drying out nicely before yesterday’s 2” snowfall.

Davis Ponds Trail was about 95% dry before today’s 2” snowfall

Summer-like temperatures this week have resulted in considerable drying and melting on Staunton’s trail network. The lower elevation trails have dried out and are in prime condition. The highest elevation trails are still carrying some snow, while there are some stretches which are now icy and muddy. The highest elevation trails have some areas containing deep snow. Ice flows across creek crossings are turning to slush and caution should be used when crossing as 6-8” deep gaps are forming where the water is now flowing.

Cautions: Mason Creek Canyon’s ice is slushy and melting, but is still present. Caution is still advised when coming down this trail.

The following trails are NOT recommended for mountain bikers and equestrians: upper Mason Creek from the south Bear Paw trailhead to the Old Mill, Bear Paw, lower Chimney Rock and West Meadow due to icy, slushy snow and muddy conditions.
*Several portions of Bear Paw trail have considerable snow depth.

Lower trails: these trails are dry and in prime condition. This includes Staunton Ranch, Davis Ponds, Chase Meadows, Dines Meadow, Historic Cabin, lower Mason Creek, all climbing access trails and the access road.

Upper trails:

• Mason Creek canyon: (MC)--icy, muddy and some snowpack
• Upper Mason Creek: (MC)--slushy, and icy---some snow beyond the south Bear Paw trailhead. Not recommended for bikers at this time
• Bear Paw: (BP)--Still carrying deep snow in spots. The trail is not well packed and not discernible in some areas beyond the Pikes Peak overlook
• Old Mill: (OM)--mostly drying with some snow and icy in spots
• Border Line: (BL)--dry on the west side with short sections of snow packed and ice on the east side and summit
• Scout Line (SL)--dry and in prime condition
• Marmot Passage: (MP)--mostly dry from SL west. Some stretches of snow packed and ice on east side
• Chimney Rock: (CR)--some snow packed, slushy and icy areas on east (lower) side to Elk Falls trail---from EF west it’s dry
• Elk Falls:(EF)--dry and in prime condition
• Lions Back: (LB)--some dry areas but still mostly muddy
• West Meadow: (WM)---snowy in large stretches. Needs more time to melt off. There are some dry portions on upper sections
• Bugling Elk: (BE)--Half dry and half muddy. Drying out quickly.

Lions Head trail is closed until August 1