Preview: Carpenter Peak (Roxborough S.P.)

High Country Hiker Group
Tuesday, April 30th.,
Bus leaves ACAA at 8:00 a.m. sharp

The Park offers visitors a remodeled visitor center including a variety of exhibits, a gift shop, and comfortable rest rooms.  The trailhead (TH), at 5,900' el., is at the edge of the parking lot.  Trail bed throughout the park is a fine loamy type soil.  Trail difficulty is rated as moderately strenuous, although most members of this group not find it that difficult.  We will trek over more strenuous miles of trail than this later in the season.

Trail begins by snaking around and over a series of ridges before it starts climbing.  There are areas of running water from melting snow on trail, standing water and mud.  From TH to Carpenter Peak it is a 3.2 mi. hike, with an estimated 1,000' el.g. over that span.  The park is covered with Ponderosa Pine, Douglas Fir, Cottonwood, and Gambel Oak, and is considered a place where the prairie meets the mountains.

Wet and muddy areas are common.

After the first 1/4 mi. trail begins to climb by a number of gradual switchbacks before leveling off.  Be prepared to maneuver stretches of wood  plank steps in this section.  Trail is littered throughout with exposed rock and all kinds of twisted roots and pesky tree stumps.  Count of catching your toe more than once.  The final push to the summit involves negotiating various rock outcroppings.  The views and satisfaction of meeting the challenge is worth the effort.

Red Sandstone formations at Roxboro S. P.

A bit too early for wildlife sightings, but if we are lucky, there are black bear, coyote, mule deer, elk, prairie dog, rabbit, and many bird species in the park.

There will be a number of areas with 300 million-year-old red sandstone rock formations in full view.  Some people refer to the park as a mini Garden of the Gods.

We will climb to Carpenter Peak at 7,160' el., where the views of the front range and Denver are good.  You are on your own to find a spot among the granite formations to relax for lunch.

Weather should be a plus.  High temperature of 74 degrees, under partly cloudy skies.  Light winds, but as we climb, that will change. Rain, 20% chance.  So dress in layers for the morning, wicking next to skin, then light fleece for insulation, and thin outer later for weather protection. 

If you have not visited Roxborough S. P. before, you are in for an early season treat.  It is close to Denver, which means we will be on trail early in the day.  Dress for the morning chill...remember to layer...wicking layer next to the skin, then a light fleece (vest) for insulation, and a thin outer shell for weather protection.

A group of early Sandlily.

Sturdy boots are recommended because you can count on trail having areas of standing water or mud.  If temperatures remain in the 30's and 40's, there may be lingering snow/ice/slush.  So if you have a pair of Yax Trax, put them in your pack.  They can be the difference between slippin' and slidin' your way up trail compared to a safe and enjoyable day.

See you on the bus.