Pine Valley Ranch

 NOTE: Text for this post was provided by Mary K. Ryan, Gary #2, and Ed Blum.  Images provided by Mary K. Ryan.

Eleven High Country Hikers plus one new addition were on board for the drive to the trail head.  This hike started and ended on Pine Valley Ranch.  The majority of the day, however, was in Pike National Forest.   

There are over 800 acres in this Jefferson County Open Space property.  The southern-most Open Space park in the county is considered a “Jewel” because of the many activities it has to offer.

Structures at Pine Valley Ranch Trailhead.

The majority of this hike took us through a landscape devastated by fire fifteen years ago.  It was nice to see all of the new growth.

Background:
The Hayman Fire burned from  June 8, until July 2, 2002, nearly an entire month. Almost 138,000 acres burned, and the fire cost $1 billion to fight.  It was the largest fire in Colorado history.

In all, 133 homes were destroyed, 1 commercial building, and 466 outbuildings. In ONE day, 60,000 acres burned, and at one point burned 1/2 mile in just 4 minutes due to the "perfect" fire conditions at the time. The fire was caused by arson.

We walked among wild strawberries, pussy toes, and Indian paint brush.  We were blessed with light cloud cover, keeping us cool through the burn areas.

High Country HIkers (Front, L to R) Kathy, Penny, Ed, Marsha, Dorothy, Clietta, and Lela.

  (Back, L to R) Judy, Leaman, and Yohanna.

Distant views were beautiful including Finger Mountain, Ed's designation, observation rock, Gary #1's designation, and the refreshing Pine Lake.

Marsha and Leaman were troopers.  Leaman said, he felt better and stronger than ever since he has been riding his bike.

Along the North Fork of the South Platte River

There are a number of steady-paced hikers in the High Country Hikers group.  One of them, Marsha, hiked at the front of the group most of the day.  If you wind her up at the trailhead...like that famous bunny...she hikes all day.



At lunch, Dorothy found a little shade as the clouds began to part while Leaman discovered a carcass.  Ed thought it was once a large Coyote.

Sure looks like a Coyote.

We welcomed Yohanna, a new member to the group.  Hope to see her on trail often 

Returning back into the Pine Valley Ranch, on a loop route that took us on a few different trails, including Buck Gulch, Skipper, Strawberry Jack, and Park View.

This route looks up and away from Pine Lake, then down at the end of the lake to the van.

In order to make the steep descent down the back of Pine Valley Ranch easier, steps were installed.  A total of 281 were counted.  Everyone enjoyed ice cream in Morrison, before we headed back to ACAA.

Total Miles = 8 (Approximately)

Total elevation gain = 1.000’