Staunton State Park First Day Hikes January 1, 2023

Bike #1 “Get to Know Staunton State Park on your Bike!”
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: Jenna Yeager

Hike #3 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. Trekking poles and traction devices a must as the trail can get icy in the canyon. Best for adults and children over 12. Elevation Change: Approx. 1,000 ft.

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

Hike #4 Search for Sasquatch
What: loop hike to Red Wall overlook and back via cabin district and Chase Meadow
When: meet at 9:30 at Meadow Parking Lot

Difficulty: moderate with some uphill to the summit

Length: approximately 6 miles
Dress for the weather and bring water and snacks

This hike will begin at the Meadows Parking Lot with Staunton Ranch trail. The trail winds through open meadow with views of Staunton's famous rock formations including its signature Lions Head. The trail also passes the Staunton Ranch cabin where the Staunton family homesteaded in the early to mid 20th century. Nearly two miles into the hike the trail comes to the junction with Red Wall overlook. The hike will turn right onto this trail and climb to the summit of Red Wall, a rock monolith. A fairly short scramble to the top rewards hikers with spectacular views of the park below and mountains to the west and south including Pikes Peak. Be sure to bring your cameras. The hike will return by way of the cabin district trail which passes historic buildings. This trail connects into beautiful Chase Meadow trail which also treats hikers with open views to the west. On the way a search for evidence of the Sasquatch in Staunton State Park is an adventurous option of this hike. Another option, if time, is a side trip to Davis Ponds. Finally, the hike loops back up to its terminus at Meadows Parking Lot.

Volunteer Guide: Gary Finley and Nancy Coburn

Hike #5 “Staunton Cabin History Hike”
Name of trail: Cabin District History Hike

Time of the event: Depart at 12:00p

Meeting Location: Lazy “V’ Lot

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 Cabin District trail as you visit The Staunton Cabin. Take a magical guided tour inside the cabin. Then continue your journey to Brola, Richardson and Blaine Cabin. 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

Warm Up and Freebies!!!
Visitor Center 8a-3p
Before or After your hike join us at the visitor center and cozy up by the fire! S’mores hot coffee and cocoa will be served. Pickup your freebie bling as a Thank You for participating in Staunton's First Day Hikes!!

Routes can be viewed on Colorado Trails Explorer - Cotrex (trails.colorado.gov):
trails.colorado.gov/routes/66343?t=juGQxYTfEBeyDQgJoHdo