Start 2012 with a hike!
Here's a great way to kick off the new year -- if you're not joining the annual Rescue Run that benefits El Paso County Search and Rescue. Or, why not do both?
As part of America’s State Parks’ “First Day Hikes” initiative 11 state parks in Colorado will offer naturalist-guided hikes and other events on New Year's Day.
“First Day Hikes are a great way to cure cabin fever, burn off those extra holiday calories and start off the New Year with an invigorating walk or hike in one of our beautiful state parks,: said Rick Cables, the Colorado Parks and wildlife director.
Park staff and volunteers will lead the hikes.
“Walking along frozen ponds and rivers, exploring trails through forests, fields and prairies is a great way to kick off the New Year,” said Gary Thorson, Colorado Parks and Wildlife assistant director. “Visitors can listen to birds, breathe in the fresh air, discover wildlife tracks, feel the wind and the warmth of the sun or the coldness of the snow.
"Visitors can expect to be surrounded by the quiet beauty of nature in winter, experience spectacular views and vistas and benefit from the company of a knowledgeable state park guide.”
Here the list of guided New Year's Day hikes:
CHEYENNE MOUNTAIN STATE PARK
Time: 9 a.m. to - 11 a.m.
Meet: Cheyenne Mountain Visitor Center
Description: Start the New Year with a brisk 3- mile moderate hike. You will enjoy great views, and visit majestic trees and rock gardens along the way.
Colorado’s newest state park, Cheyenne Mountain State Park is located just south of Colorado Springs. The 1,680-acre park lies beneath the eastern flank of the Cheyenne Mountain and borders the plains of Colorado, offering a stunning transition from plains to peaks. Foremost among the park’s offerings is the trail system consisting of 20 miles of hiking and biking. These pathways allow visitors ample opportunities to explore the park’s natural beauty year-round.
www.parks.state.co.us/Parks/CheyenneMountain
Contact: Sean O’Donnell, 719-576-2016, cheyenne.park@state.co,us
MUELLER STATE PARK
Starting time: 2 p.m.
Meet: Outlook Ridge Trailhead
Description: Enjoy the backcountry and great opportunities for wildlife watching. This easy 2-mile hike winds through a snowy conifer and aspen forest to a scenic rocky overlook. The naturalist will point out fun facts about the wildlife in the park and how they cope with winter.
Mueller State Park, located about 45 minutes west of Colorado Springs, offers 55 miles of trails and a 5,000-acre playground for the hiker, mountain biker, wildlife watcher and winter sports enthusiast. A popular watchable wildlife area, Mueller is home to elk, black bear, hawks, and mule deer. Some of the many campsites throughout the park are open during the winter and the park has cabins for rent year-round.
www.parks.state.co.us/Parks/Mueller
Contact: Susie Yost, 719-687-2366, Mueller.park@state.co.us
CASTLEWOOD CANYON STATE PARK
Starting time: 10 a.m.
Meet: Westside Trailhead parking lot
Description: Moderate 2-mile hike through montane scrubland, montane forest and part of the Lucas family homestead. At the halfway point there will be a presentation on “What New Year’s Day was like for the Lucas family in 1899.”
Castlewood Canyon State Park, located southeast of Denver, offers a beautiful natural setting with hiking, picnicking, rock climbing, wildlife viewing, and nature study. Visitors enjoy spectacular panoramic views that stretch more than 100 miles along the Colorado Front Range. The park preserves 2,303 acres of the ecologically unique Black Forest Region, including a number of rare and endangered plant species.
www.parks.state.co.us/Parks/CastlewoodCanyon
Contact: Ron Claussen and Jason Trujillo, 303-688-5242, castlewood.canyon@state.co.us
ELEVEN MILE STATE PARK
Time: 1 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Meet: Coyote Ridge trailhead parking lot
Description: In this moderate 1.25-mile hike, we will explore the winter landscape, discuss the winter survival strategies used by the park’s plants and wildlife, and learn a little about the first people of Colorado, the Utes.
Eleven Mile State Park is in South Park, an expansive high-altitude grassland region of central Colorado, located about 50 miles to the west of Colorado Springs. The surrounding mountains, including Pikes Peak, the Tarryall Range and the snowy peaks of the Continental Divide, compliment Eleven Mile’s own scenic reservoir, short grass prairie and rocky outcroppings. This remarkable setting is home to many recreational opportunities including camping, biking, boating, fishing and hiking and many other exciting outdoor activities.
www.parks.state.co.us/Parks/ElevenMile
Contact: Mark Young, 719-748-3401, eleven.mile.park@state.co.us
CHATFIELD STATE PARK
Hike #1
Time: 10 a.m. – noon
Meet: Gravel Ponds parking lot
Description: This easy 3 mile “Winter Wonderland Hike” will start the Gravel Ponds and go south to the Audubon Discovery Center.
Hike #2
Time: noon-2 p.m.
Meet: Platte River parking lot
Description: Explore the Platte River valley and learn about plants. This 2-to-3-mile moderate “Winter Weeds Hike” will go south along the Platte River and then loop back on higher ground.
Chatfield State Park offers many outdoor recreational activities and is conveniently located on the southwest side of the Denver metropolitan area with a scenic foothills background and a 1,243-acre lake. Chatfield is a one of the state’s full service outdoor recreation areas, offering many unique recreational pursuits, including an off-leash dog exercise area, horseback riding, scuba instruction, hot air ballooning, and remote control model airplane flying.
www.parks.state.co.us/Parks/Chatfield
Contact: Susan Permut, 303-791-7275, chatfield.park@state.co.us
CHERRY CREEK STATE PARK
Time: 8 a.m. – noon
Meet: East Boat ramp
Description: Come to Cherry Creek State Park to see and learn about birds of prey. This easy 1.5-mile hike will end at the campground amphitheater for an interactive program about birds and a book signing by Steve Kennedy, the group leader/volunteer). T here will be complementary hot beverages and 20% discounts on merchandise at the General Store.
A favorite metropolitan area playground, Cherry Creek State Park offers a multitude of recreation opportunities anchored around an 880-acre lake. Open year-round, Cherry Creek is comprised of a natural prairie environment of gentle, rolling hills and complete outdoor recreation facilities, including an off-leash dog exercise area, group picnic sites and facilities for special events, all in the midst of a busy urban area.
www.parks.state.co.us/Parks/CherryCreek
Contact: Mike Zieker and John Carson. 303-690-690-1166, cherry.creek.park@state.co.us
BARR LAKE STATE PARK
Hike #1
Starting time: 11 a.m.
Meet: Boat ramp
Description: 3-mile easy hike with opportunity to observe all types of wildlife, including many species of birds.
Hike #2
Starting time: 11 a.m.
Meet: Boat ramp
Description: 3-mile moderate snowshoe hike from the boat ramp to Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory.
Barr Lake State Park, located less than 25 miles from downtown Denver, provides a sanctuary for both wildlife and humans. It is a unique place to pause and reconnect with nature. Recreation at Barr Lake State Park takes forms that harmonize with nature. Visitors boat, fish, hike, bicycle, horseback ride, study nature, bird watch and, in winter’s snows, cross-country ski.
www.parks.state.co.us/Parks/BarrLake
Contact: Michelle Seubert, 303-655-1495, barr.lake@state.co.us
ELDORADO STATE PARK
Time: 11 a.m. - noon
Meet: Eldorado Canyon Visitor Center
Description: This moderate 2-mile hike of the Rattlesnake Gulch Trail travels past spectacular views of the canyon and the eastern plains to the remains of historic Crags hotel. If the trail is icy, we’ll hike a portion of the Eldorado Canyon Trail instead.
Eldorado Canyon State Park is located west of the historic resort town of Eldorado Springs. A world-renowned technical rock climbing area, the canyon also offers fishing, hiking, picnicking and a quiet retreat from the city. The park also features an award-winning “Junior Ranger” program during the summer months and outstanding opportunities for photography during all seasons.
www.parks.state.co.us/Parks/EldoradoCanyon
Contact: Ben Pedrett, 303-494-3943, eldorado.park@state.co.us
LORY STATE PARK
Hike #1
Starting time: 11 a.m.
Meet: Arthur’s Rock parking lot
Description: Celebrate the beginning of the year at Lory State Park with a fun and social 4.6-mile run on the valley trails. The run will start out going north on West Valley, then cross the Main Park road and continue south on East Valley Trail, finally running the South Valley loop and back to the parking lot. If we have a good snow storm we will have a 2.7-mile snowshoe tromp instead on South Valley Trail.
Hike #2
Starting time: 11 a.m.
Meet: Arthur’s Rock parking lot
Description: Join us for a moderate 3.4-mile hike up to Arthur’s Rock. If we have a good snow storm, we will have a 2.7-mile snowshoe tromp instead on South Valley Trail. After the hike, everyone is welcome to stop by the Lory State Park Visitor Center for some hot cider or tea.
Lory State Park, located in beautiful Bellvue north of Fort Collins, offers visitors a variety of rugged terrain and stunning vistas from the northern Colorado Front Range. The park covers almost 2,600 acres and features 26 miles of trails that lead through forest, meadows and rock-outcroppings, offering visitors great terrain for mountain biking, hiking, rock climbing, bouldering, and horseback riding.
www.parks.state.co.us/Parks/Lory
Contact: Larry Butterfield, 970-493-1623, lory.park@state.co.us
ROXBOROUGH STATE PARK
Hike #1
Time: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Meet: Roxborough’s Visitor Center
Description: Join naturalist Peter Laux for a strenuous 6.4-mile (roundtrip) hike to Carpenter Peak, at 7,175’ the highest point on the Roxborough’s trail system. Enjoy a panoramic view of the greater Denver area while eating lunch on the peak. Bring water, food, and clothing appropriate for the weather. Minimum age: 16.
Hike #2
Starting time: Noon
Meet: Roxborough’s Visitor Center
Description: Come celebrate the New Year with an easy 2.2-mile hike to explore the Fountain Valley Trail with naturalist Sue Schleuder. Minimum age: 12.
Roxborough State Park, located less than an hour southwest of Denver, is a Colorado Natural Area and a National Natural Landmark. The park was established to protect the area’s unparalleled scenery and resource values while providing opportunities for hiking and learning about Colorado’s natural heritage. Roxborough’s spectacular geologic setting supports a unique mixture of prairie and mountain species. It is a place of beauty, ecological diversity, and serenity.
www.parks.state.co.us/Parks/Roxborough
Contact: Angel Tobin, 303-973-3959, Roxborough.park@state.co.us
STAGECOACH STATE PARK
Time: 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Meet: Keystone day use area
Description: This moderate 2-to-3-mile snowshoe hike will cover the winter world that is underground, snow layers and temperature. Bring your own snowshoes, or you can rent those for free at the park. A light snack will be provided.
Located in the verdant Yampa Valley of northwest Colorado, Stagecoach State Park offers visitors a wonderful area to enjoy Colorado’s outdoors. Centered on an 829-acre reservoir with a full-service marina, Stagecoach State Park offers amazing fishing both on the reservoir and in the Yampa River tailwaters. The convenience of additional recreation opportunities and the family atmosphere makes Stagecoach State Park a wonderful vacation destination.
www.parks.state.co.us/Parks/Stagecoach
Contact: Kimi Lehman, 970-736-2436, stagecoach.park@state.co.us
“Studies have proven that getting outdoors is one good way to relax and recharge the body, mind and spirit,” said Phil McNelly, National Association of State Park Directors’executive director. “We hope that hiking along a trail in a state park will become part of an individual’s or family’s regular exercise routine.”
“Think of it as the start of a new and healthy lifestyle for the whole family,” said Ruth Coleman, president of the National Association of State Park Directors. "Whether you’re staying close to home or traveling, join us at one of America’s State Parks on New Year’s Day.”
