Mt. Falcon - East TH

The parking lot was buzzing with hikers, trail runners, dog walkers and at the end of the day, a lone unicyclist.  Yes, a man hopped on a unicycle and peddled by us as we were approaching the parking lot.  I swear the guy was older than most of the people in our group...ONLY IN COLORADO!

Marcia and Penny are silhouetted against the late morning sky as they take a rest beak on trail.

We began the day, on a trail named Turkey Trot, a hiker only, 1.7 mi. path zig zagging from switchback to switchback up the 900+' slope to a junction with Castle Trail.  From there hikers climbed another 1.2 mi. to a shelter with a picnic table.

Castle Trail is a multi-use trail open to bikers, and equestrians as well.  The biker community was out in large numbers today.  In fact there were arguably more bikers than hikers on trail.  A huge amount of respect goes to the men and women who use trails like this to train for upcoming cycling events.

Hike leader, Ed Blum is followed by Gary1, Robert, Linda, and Raheal.

During the climb, hikers are treated to a number of views of the famous Red Rocks Amphitheater, where the all time mega groups have performed, i.e. Beatles, Stones, Bob Dylan, and James Taylor.

If you take time to stop on trail occasionally, and turn around, you will find some awesome views of Denver.

At the picnic shelter, a few members of the group decided to continue on Walker's Dream Trail, a .3 mi. jaunt to the ruins of John Walker's Summer White House, and had lunch in the area.  The rest remained at the shelter for lunch.

Betty and Luisa get an up close view of Red Rocks Amphitheater, during the descent.

Cloudy skies kept the sun from warming up the day.  A steady breeze during lunch quickly dried up all perspiration from the ascent.

It's early May, and the wildflowers are beginning to bloom.  Beside trail today we were treated to the likes of Spring Beauty, Pasque Flower, Sandlily, and White Phlox. 

Mt. Falcon Park offers visitors 2,330 acres, and over 11 miles of trail to explore.  The park is popular all year long.

Park literature does not rate trails in terms of difficulty.  If I were to rate the Turkey Trot Trail, considering everything it throws at you, it would be moderate.  Defining everything is to say the exposed and loose rock, areas of erosion, wood and stone ladder steps, and a number of steep sections, trail today is at the top of the "moderate" category rating.

High Country Hikers, Front Row  (L - R) Gloria Pittman, Melva Storm, Maggie Wright, Linda Saiz, Betty Day, Marcia McBurnett, and Luisa Sandoval. Back Row (L - R) Don Storm, Robert Saiz, Penny Geise, Ed Blum, and Gary Merical. Missing: Raheal Kneebone.  Photo by Gary Alleman, Happy Trails Photography, Aurora, Co.

 Today, the group photo was captured after we were off the mountain.  This image was captured at the veterans memorial, on Main Street, in downtown Morrison.  Big smiles are the result of a visit to the town ice creme parlor.

Total miles = 6.4

Total elevation gain = 900'+