Carpenter Peak-Roxborough State Park

Three consecutive weeks an April storm dumped enough snow on area trails to cancel hikes.  Three cancelled hikes in a row is unprecedented.  The nine High Country Hikers (HCH) on trail today were excited to be outside enjoying the beauty of Colorado.

The frustration of not being able to be on trail evaporated quickly.  Trail conditions were ideal considering what this blog posted just five days ago.  Today's route was scouted last Thursday.  A scouting preview was posted telling hikers there would be snow, ice, slush, and lots of mud.  After five days of more seasonal temperatures, none of those conditions remained today.

Eleven HCH members made the trip down C 470 to Roxborough State Park.  The group was on trail shortly after arrival.  The trail bed was surprisingly firm and relatively dry.  No mud until we reached Powerline trail at higher elevation.

On Carpenter Peak Trail, Gary1 is dwarfed by a red sandstone formation.

Visitors to the park are treated to a series of 300 million-year-old red sandstone formations, much like the more popular formations in Garden of the Gods outside of Colorado Springs.  The park is a National Natural Landmark, a state historic site, plus it has numerous archaeological sites, making it one of the most popular locations close to Denver to hike. 

Scrub Oak covers much of the parks slopes and drainage areas.  Ponderosa Pine and Lodge pole can be found dotting the landscape throughout the park.

Hikers (L - R) Gloria, Gary1, Robert, Linda, and Monica, climb through acres of scrub oak, on their way to Carpenter Peak.

We made our way past the South Rim Trail junction, to the junction of Elk Valley Trail.  We followed trail around the backside of the ridge and through Elk Valley to a junction with the Powerline Trail.  This section of trail is actually a grass-covered jeep road.  Some parts have severe erosion caused by ATV's and heavy duty equipment brought in by Xcel Energy to service the power line.

At the junction of Powerline Trail and peak spur trail, hikers made a rest stop.

A heart throbbing, moderate-sized up brought us to a junction with a spur trail that would take us another .5 mi. to a junction with Carpenter Peak Trail.  There we were within .1 mi. of the peak.  That final climb to the top at 7,160' el., would cause hikers to negotiate a series of natural stone steps through a number of rock formations.

On top, we enjoyed a virtual 360 degree view of the front range, the city of Denver in the distance, to the northeast, the park grounds and Sharptail Ridge below, and parts of Pike National Forest to the west.

As for other hikers, there was one solo trail runner that blew past us on her way down, and a solo day hiker who arrived at the peak during lunch.  Plus two mountain bikers passed the group on the Powerline Trail.

Front row (L - R) Hike leader Ed Blum, Luisa Sandoval, and Marcia McBurnett.  Back row (L - R) Gary Merical, Linda and Robert Saiz, Mary k. Ryan, Monica Richard, and Penny Geise. 

Cloudy skies raised questions throughout the morning.  Would it rain?  Would comfortable light breezes grow into gusts that would make an otherwise good day for hiking into one of being chilled to the bone.  Would yet another storm blanket the area with a late spring dump of white powder?  The rain held off till we were on our way down the mountain.  A light drizzle chased hikers under some tall pine trees where everybody searched their packs for rain gear.  Minutes later we were back on trail but the showers never materialized. Light A.M. winds subsided for the return.  As for another big snowfall...not today.  BUT there is something in the forecast for later in the week. 

A lonely Pasque flower had just enough sunlight to begin opening it's beautiful petals.

A stop at Highlands Ranch Commons for coffee at Tattered Cover or ice creme at Cold Stone Creamery ended a great day.

The Carpenter Peak/Powerline/Elk Valley Loop total mileage = 8.0 mi.

Total elevation gain on the day = 1,078'

Next Tuesday: Lion Gulch Trail.  Between Lyons and Estes Park.  Check back on Friday for a preview of this hike...unless another snow storm changes/cancels it.