Hike Planning for Mueller State Park

Pikes Peak from Mueller State Park

Mueller State Park sits just west of Pikes Peak and south of Divide.  Most of the park is at 9600 feet above sea level and the park encompasses 5121 acres situated in trees.  In the past the area was just passed through by native Americans and trappers.  In the 1860's there were about 50,000 people living in the area, many searching for riches at Cripple Creek.
Geologically, the Precambrian Pikes Peak granite lies underneath the park with a couple old fault lines running through the area.  Nearby are Florissant Fossil beds, Molly Kathleen Gold Mine and the Gold Belt Scenic Byway Tour, so there is much to see and do in the region.
Entrance fees are $7 a day, with camping for tents-only $16 and $20 for RV's with electric.
19 miles of trails are set aside for mountain biking, and 55 miles of trails are open for hiking.  There are also horses available for riding the 27 miles of horse trails.  All of these trails are considered "moderate" or "steep".   There are no backcountry campsites (or backpacking), all camping, cabins and yurts are within the front area of the park.  For hiking, a trail map is available HERE.  Most trails are multi-use.

Mueller camp sites

We camped here with friends years ago and had a great time with the kids.  The campsites are treed, with pines and some aspen, and ours was open to a meadow.  There are 132 camping sites, most with electric outlets.  Coin showers are available.  Do get a camping reservation because these sites fill fast.
There is a fine welcome center at Big View Overlook and several family-friendly and more difficult trails start there.  Pick up a trail map before heading out.
Wildlife viewing is good with opportunities to see mule deer, black bear, elk, mountain lions and hawks.  Photography is great here.
Winter is also an excellent time to tour the park by cross-country ski or snowshoes.  We hiked for miles in the backcountry in snowshoes and had the place to ourselves.

Pikes Peak granite

Setting Up The Tent

2 person REI Half Dome Tent

Setting up your tent can be pretty easy.  I have only one rule.

Rule #1 – Setup the tent in your yard before you go on a trip with it.  

If you have already setup your tent, you will know where the poles and stakes go.  Setting up tents is mostly about how good your memory is, and that will improve the more you do it.  Whether you pitch a solo tent for just yourself, a 2-person tent for you and spouse, or an 8-person tent for the whole family, the poles will go together only a certain way.  Some tents you stake out first, others you stake out last.

This detail is all in the tent’s directions, which you must read before you setup the tent in your yard the first time. Keep the directions with the tent for next year when you go camping again and can’t remember how to set it up.  Also keep everything that goes with the tent in their bags together.  That way you won’t arrive at camp without an important part of the tent poles.

When you return from the trip, hang the tent up in the garage or on the back porch to let it fully dry out. When dry, repack everything together, checking to see you have all the parts.

For CaRV Camping, remember to bring along a stake hammer to pound the stakes into the hard, packed soil of the campsite.  You can also use the hammer to pull the stakes back up when you leave.

Any questions, see Rule #1.

Campsite Selection

Golden Gate Canyon State Park Meadow view

This is another article I wrote for CampHelp.net.  The site will be up soon.

Selecting a campsite for your tent or trailer is pretty easy to remember.  When you arrive, my advice is to Look Up, Look Down, and Look All Around:

Look Up – I always look at the trees around the campsite, checking for dead limbs or branches, a tree leaning into another one (dead fall) and at rocks and ledges that may be above me for stones that may tumble during a storm or in the night.  You want to make sure the area overhead and to the sides is clear of any dangers that may blow down on top of you in a storm.  Wind is often strong in the mountains and tonight may be the night when that limb decides it’s time to fall off that tree.

Look Down – Look at the lay of the land, specifically where water could flow during rain.  You don’t want to camp in a ditch or in a low point because it will be wetter and colder (cool air sinks).  Typically, a higher and more level point of land is best for tent or trailer.  Don’t camp too close to a cliff either, as you could be blown, washed (or just roll) off the ledge onto those shark teeth rocks below.   Do remove rocks and sharp sticks from under the tent for a comfortable night’s sleep and plan to return the area to the pristine natural surface you found as you leave.

Look All Around – Look around you for signs of trails as you don’t want to camp where wildlife or people could blast through unexpectedly.  Look for enough space to pitch your tent but don’t camp so close in dense trees that you have to cut anything to make your tent fit.  Try not to camp too close to your neighbor for your privacy and theirs.  Look for beautiful views and quiet spaces.  Also look for some trees or tall rocks to be around your site to help reduce winds.

While tent camping is usually associated with backpacking, it is not always the case.  This is where CaRV camping works well, with a flat and developed camping site, maybe even a pull-through parking space with plenty of clearance above, below and around.  The car can carry all your gear and food and gives you an escape to go try that little cafe you passed on the way in to enjoy a dinner instead of cooking one.  CaRV camping in a tent/trailer/RV at a State Park or National Forest is a great way to just get outdoors and enjoy the peace.

Golden Gate Canyon State Park

Golden Gate Canyon State Park Panorama Point Scenic Overlook

Golden Gate Canyon State Park is only 30 miles from Denver, but it encompasses 12,000 acres at an elevation range from 7600 feet to 10,400 feet.  The state park has 36 miles of hiking trails and has 22 miles of trails for mountain bikes and horseback riders to enjoy.
Camping is the reason at Golden Gate Canyon State Park, and the campsites are highly rated.  Do plan ahead and book your site before traveling.  Backpacking sites usually don't require reservations, just avoid holidays and camp during weekdays if you can.  For questions about Golden Gate Canyon, call the park at 303-582-3707.
The park hosts 134 campsites plus backcountry sites that are not too far away from a road.  They even have a few shelters at the backcountry sites, built as lean-to's like used on the Appalachian Trail. There are cabins and yurts at $60/night/6 people, plus the historical Harmsen Ranch Guesthouse at $220/night/8 people for overnight lodging.  The camping areas also handle tents at $14/night (no electric) and trailers and RV's $18/night, some with electrical hookups.
For a tent-only experience, plan to camp at Aspen Meadows.  Tents, trailers and RV's are welcome at Reverend's Ridge in the park.  No tent, no problem.  Just book a cabin or yurt to spend the night.
By the way, the owners of the Harmsen Ranch Guesthouse were the founders of Jolly Rancher candy company in Denver.  Sweet!  

View within the park

The park features snow capped mountain views, sub-alpine wildflower meadows, pine and aspen forests and offers fishing along with hiking and rock climbing.  Hunting in Jefferson County is allowed during the season.  The Panorama Point Scenic Overlook offers views of over 100 miles of snow packed peaks along the continental divide.
While the park is generally busy year-round, you can still keep to yourself on the backcountry trails and campsites.  This is an excellent location to test your new backpacking equipment or train for your long backpacking trip as your car is never more that a few miles away.  You still get the cool nights, wildlife and outdoors peace at significant elevation.
The Park Map will give you a good idea of what to expect.
Keep in mind it is close to the metro Denver area for a quick weekend or weekday get away and you won't be the only person who had that same thought.
To get there, take highway 93 north from Golden, Colorado for a mile and a half, then turn left onto Golden Gate Canyon Road and follow it for 13 miles to the park entrance.