Matthews/Winters Park, Take One

The sky was clouding over in the 15 minutes in took to drive to the park

This morning was cool and overcast, which made it a perfect day for a hike along the Village Trail and Red Rocks Trail in Matthews/Winters Park. 

This area of Matthews/Winters Park is on the west side of County Road 93, and the trails lead to the Red Rocks amphitheater. I had hiked the trails many times over a decade ago, but as this particular trail is not that challenging, my interest waned as I sought more challenging and adventurous expenditures of my time and energy.

The park is situated on the site of the long-gone town of Mt. Vernon. A section of a dirt road that was once used by gold miners heading into the mountains is close to the park, and though it still has never been paved, it is used to this day by private residents who live in the canyon. 

Few traces of the old townsite still exist, but there is plenty of good old fashioned nature to be enjoyed along the trails 

  

Bikes are not permitted on the Village Walk Trail       

The Village Walk trail is reserved for the use of hikers and equestrians. I did not see anyone on horseback this morning, but there were quite a few joggers and fellow hikers.

            

 Bikes have their own access to the Red Rocks Trail

Ten or so years ago when I regularly hiked this trail, the Village Loop was open to all park users. Now, the short loop trail that went around the foundations of a few of the old village buildings is a trail reserved exclusively for the use of Mountain Bikers.

Just past the picnic area is the bridge over Mt. Vernon creek 

The good old fashioned nature I mentioned just a few paragraphs back does include Bears and Mountain Lions, by the way. There is a great little warning sign on the message board back at the trailhead that gives good advice on how to behave should you encounter one of these beasties. Stay calm, don't run, talk out loud in a low voice, avoid direct eye contact, and back away slowly.

Firearms are not allowed in the park so they left off any mention of chambering a round.

Once you're across the bridge the Village Walk Trail begins

 The Village Walk trail leads up to the Red Rocks trail - there is no longer a trace of a village though 

For the first third of a mile there was a light drizzle falling. Having hiked through plenty of light drizzles, and not seeing any heavy clouds about, It wasn't anything that concerned me. If anything, it would make the hike a bit more pleasant.

                                       A private residence - what a great place to live!

                                                   A crest in the trail revealed a terrific view

There are points on the trail that bring to mind hiking across the English moors, especially with the skies gray with clouds. The trail does have a fair amount of gravel in it and was built to allow for quick runoff, but there were areas where water collected and the path was becoming muddy.

                                     

                       A section of the old village cemetery

                                                                         

                                                   Signs at the crossroads

 That sign about the dangers of lightning includes a note about a runner who was killed by lightning

Walking along the trail in the drizzling rain, the rumble of thunder could be heard. It was at least 25 seconds away, but I still searched for lightning. Electrical storms are common in Colorado during the summer, and while they can be cool to watch, they of course are also dangerous. 

                  The view to the Southeast on an inclement day

The rain was so light it draped a misty shroud over the range, and made for some great pics. The mist created an atmosphere that was Gothic horror movie-ish, but without the werewolves or vampires.

                                                     One of the lesser known Red Rocks

Twenty minutes into the hike though, the rain started to come down a bit harder. In fact, it was becoming what is commonly referred to as a sudden downpour, and I was becoming as soaked through as a dishrag.

Started to look like one, too. 

                                The trail began to get quite muddy...and slippery

The Red Rocks trail is a great place to hike (and Mountain Bike, or jog, if you're into that sort of lunacy). The trail is wide and well-maintained, and the incline is so gradual over the majority of the trail it is barely noticeable. 

There is not, however, a lot of shelter from sudden heavy rainfall. When it starts to pour, the trail turns to instant mud, and you end up getting drenched...quickly.

Odd plant along the Red Rocks trail

                             The heavy rains have brought out wildflowers in full force

This handy small grove of tress offered a little shelter from the storm

I walked quickly up the trail towards Red Rocks remembering an area at a bend in the trail that cut through a ravine that had a number of  large trees growing in it. Within 5 minutes I was standing under those trees...and still getting fairly soaked. 

Nothing beats being in a downpour and seeing blue skies

                                                                           

                                     The rain began to let up and the clouds gave way

I stood under the cover of the small grove of trees for about 10 minutes. Growing restless, I decided it would be for the best to head back to the truck. To continue up the Red Rocks trail was inviting a slip on the increasingly muddy path, and I just wasn't feeling up to muddin' this morning.

              That cloud...the one in the middle...is flipping me off!

Of course, the rain had completely stopped by the time I made it back to the parking lot. Seeing as how I was thoroughly soaked however, there was nothing else to do but return home and clean up. I'll have to tackle the Matthews/Winters Red Rocks trail another, sunnier day.