Mount Falcon Park - West Trailhead Hike to the Sites

Difficulty: .about 6.5 miles with about 1,100 feet elevation gain.

HIKE DESCRIPTION: The views in this park are so grand that this parkland was once proposed as the summer grounds for a second presidential White House. On this hike, we are going to see all the ruins and sites. We will start out at the Mount Falcon WEST trailhead and take the Castle & Tower Trails to the Eagle Eye Shelter and tower. Then we will hike the Old Ute and Devils Elbow Loops. From there, we will head up Meadow Trail to the Walker home ruins. Then we will head over to Two Dog Trail to a scenic lookout. Then finally take the Walkers Dream Trail to the Summer White House site. From there, we will take the Castle Trail back to the trailhead. I will post the route in photos. Here is the alltrails link to my self-made trail: https://www.alltrails.com/explore/map/map-february-9-2024-563ca5e?u=i&sh=ittjkn

DOGS ALLOWED IF FOLLOW PARK RULES: Allowed on a leash. Please be sure your dog is well behaved and can handle the length of the walk. Dog owners must clean up pet excrement.

ADDRESS/DIRECTIONS: We will meet at the Mount Falcon WEST Trailhead parking lot. The trailhead address is: 21074 Mount Falcon Road, Indian Hills, CO 80454. If you use Google Maps, you can type in “Mt Falcon West Parking Lot” and it will take you to the parking area.

We wait 5 minutes for late arrivals…but no longer as that is inconsiderate to those arriving timely. So please allow extra time to get to the trailhead.

IMPORTANT: This is a participate at your own risk event! Life is risky. I am not a professional guide and am simply hosting this event. By signing up for this hike you acknowledge that you are capable of performing this hike and that you are solely responsible for your own safety.

NO SHOWS: If you are a no-show to 2 hikes, you will be booted from this meetup group. So please change your RSVP to “not going” if you are unable to make it.

WHAT YOU SHOULD BRING: Water, snacks, layers of clothing, good hiking shoes/boots, sunscreen, sunglasses, hat, gloves, hiking poles (if you find them helpful), and anything else you deem essential.

WEATHER: Here is the NOAA forecast for the hike location. For hourly temps, wind, precipitation, etc., click “Hourly Weather Forecast” in the upper right. https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=39.63250000000005&lon=-105.22916999999995.Y9K9Ry9lBvI

REQUIRED WAIVER: If you have not already done so, you must sign the updated waiver with our new meetup name prior to this hike. I will have copies at the trailhead that you can sign or you may print, sign, and bring it with you from the following website: https://www.dropbox.com/s/p728z28jjuwdzws/Waiver%20Corona.pdf?dl=0
If you choose to sign at the trailhead, please arrive early so that we can depart for the hike timely.