Mount Falcon Park

Overview

Tons of fun trails wrap around these peaks, with a lot of elevation gain on the east side. This park makes a great connection from the plains, visible for 100 miles to the east, to the high peaks and continental divide to the west.

When parking on the east end, there is no escape from a big initial climb with little protection from the sun, so many will prefer to start on the west end, where the trails are much flatter and the views are generally more rewarding.

In addition to an occasional falcon that you might find on Mount Falcon, there are the usual inhabitants of the lower montane life zone: Ponderosa pines, douglas firs, aspens, oregon grape, deer. Mountain lions and bear are known to travel through here, but you'd be exceptionally lucky to see one.

John Walker purchased 4,000 acres in this area in 1903 and built a house near the summit of Mount Falcon in 1909 (you can visit the ruins). Eight fireplaces, a music room, library, and 10 bedrooms made quite a grand house, but lightning struck and burned it to the ground in 1918.

Food & Drink

The lovely little town of Morrison is nearby, which is filled with cute restaurants and oozes charm from every corner. It can be jam-packed on weekends and is popular with everyone from Harley gangs to grass-fed organic Colorado hippies.