Staunton State Park Hike

Three HCH members met on a chilly October morning to hike at the newest state park in Colorado.  Staunton State Park is the legacy of Frances H. Staunton.  Her parents homesteaded this site around the turn of the 20th century, established Staunton Ranch, and gradually expanded it from 160 to 1,720 acres.

Before her death in 1989, she donated it to future generations as a state park.  Additional expansion over the years brings the total area of the park today to 3,800 acres.  Located off U.S. 285, at Shaffers Crossing...about 6 miles west of Conifer.  Turn north on Elk Creek Road and follow 1.5 miles to the main entrance to the park.

There is an entry fee of $7/vehicle for a day pass.  Pay the park ranger if on duty.  If not, complete the form, place a portion of it in the windshield, deposit the $7 in the pouch provided, and deposit it at the entrance station.  


We started from a secondary parking lot inside the entrance station.  Parking for dozens of vehicles, some picnic tables, and enclosed pit toilets, is the extent of services provided at the lot.

Last attempt at providing a colorful show.

We noticed Aspen groves in the area are clinging to the claim of great fall colors.  

Beginning on the Staunton Ranch Trail, we found the trail bed of fine cinders to be stable, wider than most trails, and well maintained.  The park ranges in elevation from 8,100' to over 10,000'.

A herd of deer make their way from one meadow to another.

Within a mile from the TH we walked by two small herds of deer feeding in grassy meadows along trail.  None of them seemed particularily concerned about us, as they went about their day roaming the area.

Staunton Rocks are spectacular rocky outcroppings in the park.  Those we saw today are a popular site for those who enjoy rock climbing.  These granite cliffs peak out from behind the aspen and confer trees as we continue up trail.  Soon, we pass a junction with Old Mill Trail.  It is where we will return to the Ranch trail after making a loop around Staunton Rocks.  Trail next meets a service road.  We continue to make a gradual climb on the road to a junction with Marmot Passage, Bugling Elk, and Border Line trails.

Stanton Rocks provide a stark contrast and backdrop.

Choosing Border Line,  it gains more elevation, as it takes hikers through a series of switch backs, topping at 9,400' at the Staunton Rocks Overlook.  The spot is a great place for a long lunch, photo ops., or just to take time to enjoy the views of the lower tier of Pike National Forest.

Ed and Dorothy make their way on Staunton Ranch Trail.

We elect to continue on trail due to a steady breeze that today gave our extremities that tingling feeling, despite the suns best effort to warm the air.  We continued down off the ridge, again negotiating a number of switch backs before coming to the Old Mill Site.  This would be fine for a lunch break.

Ed and Dorothy take a quick break at the Overlook.

The site includes remains of a turn-of-the-20th century saw mill.  Based on the size of the main structures foundation, it must have been quite an operation for the Staunton family.  A cross-buck log fence surrounds the weather beaten timbers of the mill.

A boarded up bunk house and a small wood structure...possibly a covered well or building to house a power source, or tools and equipment still stands.

Boot and bike tracks.

Trail leading back to Staunton Ranch Trail is rocky plus there area areas of light erosion.  NOTE:  Parts of the trail system in this park are open to hiking, biking and horseback riding.  Some is restricted to 'Hikers Only.'

A few hearty soles were out on trail today.  We passed a solo woman hiker, and a handful of two and three-person groups out for a fun day.

Remains of the historic Staunton family mill.

Total Milkes = 7.4

Total Elevation Gain = 1,346'