![]() ![]() The castle was built by a turn-of-the-century entrepreneur and eccentric named John Walker. This beautiful forested region might be a strange place to find the remnants of a pseudo-Bavarian palace, but the Mount Falcon Castle history is a curious tale indeed. Mount Falcon Castle is one of the major attractions on this hike, providing a view of a rare set of ruins in the midst of the beautiful Colorado landscape. Today the park is perhaps best known for its early 20th century ‘castle ruins’, a unique and fascinating landmark that provides an insight into Mount Falcon’s intriguing past. Visitors flock to Mount Falcon to take advantage of the wonderful hiking, cycling and horseback riding trails, with plenty of wonderful places to stop and admire the views and scenic landscapes. This beautiful mountain is an important local recreation site, offering gorgeous views over the valleys and peaks, and covered with pleasant hiking trails. Mount Falcon is located just a short distance from Morrison, Colorado, and is a relatively small peak that makes up part of the Front Range. Mount Falcon Park Trail Highlights Mount Falcon This will spit you back out on the Castle Trail where you’ll take a right, heading back to the east and back down the switchbacks you came up. Take a left, staying on the Meadow Trail. ![]() After turning right, 0.2 km later you’ll find another intersection. The Parmalee Loop will connect to the Meadow Trail at 9.7 km where you’ll take a right, heading east (if you were to go left, there’s a trail called Tower Trail that is to the summit of the namesake, Mount Falcon). You descend into the forest and valley before you hike back up to the meadow. This trail adds another couple of miles and is a bit more technical with loose footing. The loop is to your left and sometimes is easy to miss. You’ll see a Parmalee Trail sign to the northeast, but you want the loop. ![]() Just as you’re about to reach the eastern parking lot, look for the signs to Parmalee Loop on the left. You can’t walk through the ruins, but you can walk around and see what was once a beautiful, hilltop mansion. The trail widens as it passes the Walker ruins and continues for another mile through an open meadow. To the left is Two Dogs Trail, another summit trail that overlooks the views to the south. An old block of white marble marks the spot. To the right is a hike to a scenic overlook, the Walker’s Dream Trail, and the spot where Walker wanted to build the Summer White House. There is a pavilion with a picnic bench for resting at the top but, to keep hiking, stay on the main, wider trail, which is still the Castle Trail. While you’re climbing, be sure to look north at Red Rocks Park and Amphitheater and turn around to the east to see views of Denver. You’ll climb up right away into a series of switchbacks for 4.0 km until you reach the top. At the point where the trail splits, stay left on the Castle Trail (the Turkey Trot Trail goes to the same place, but is more exposed to the sun). Castle Trailįrom the Mount Falcon trailhead, head west, directly toward the hills. Add on the Parmalee loop for beautiful vistas and a walk through nature for a full adventure. Park on the west side for an easy hike to the ruins or, to get a good heart-pumping, leg-burning work-out, park on the eastern side (as described above). ![]() You can enjoy this park in two different ways. The beautiful, challenging Mount Falcon Park hike takes you up a steep trail but rewards you with amazing views and a glimpse of the historical ruins of the old Walker Ranch built by entrepreneur John Brisben Walker in the early 1900s. Route Description for Mount Falcon Park Trail ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |