Solo Hiking at Mt Falcon Park - May 24, 2018

My schedule has changed quite a bit since graduating my master's program, and as I work to adjust while also trying to stay diligent about staying task oriented and not lose momentum, my newly discovered "free-time" can relatively quickly get gobbled up by one thing or another.  So on May 24th when I realized that I hadn't formally made any plans other than taking the dog to the vet to get his teeth cleaned and that I otherwise had the day to myself, I decided to head for the hills.  House cleaning and job hunting could wait.

I put together a light pack with water, some snacks, made sure I had first aid things since I was going it alone, and my camera and set off toward Mt Falcon Park - a destination not far outside of Denver that brings up lots of fondness and nostalgia from my childhood years.  As I drove, music on, sun shining... I recalled the almost weekly trips during summer months with my family to this very same destination all throughout my growing up.  My mother would bring orange juice and light snacks, often the night before making muffins to take with us.  She'd put on the cassette of Vivaldi's Four Seasons.  We'd park and walk what seemed at the time a long way up to the Eagle Eye Shelter to enjoy our snacks.  If we were up to it, we'd go back down around the Castle Trail to see the ruins.  We'd head home with smiles on our faces, our small legs worn out from hiking, falling asleep to the lull of Vivaldi and the motion of the car.  The rush of nostalgia made me smile.

What I also realized is that this was my first time going to this fantastic little spot solo.  I've done very few solo hiking trips in my life, aware that while plenty of people hike alone, there can also be risks of hiking without a buddy.  But, for such a low-key hike on a random Thursday, I felt empowered and figured I'd be fine.  I parked at the West Parking Lot (discovering on my way that there is a Mt Falcon Park East Parking Lot that's basically right next to Red Rocks, which wasn't the one I was looking for for this trip...).  The West Parking Lot is right at the start of the same trails I'd hiked on many times as a child.  With camera in hand, boots on my feet, pack on my back, off I went. 

I made my way down Tower Trail, and headed off to the right to go up to the Eagle Eye Shelter. 

Looking out over the view, the greens and blues vibrant and picturesque, I felt a sense of calm.  After taking some time alone, taking in the view, I started hiking again.  I continued on my way down Tower Trail to get to the Fire Tower.  Up on the tower was a view of Denver, looking so small and distant.  I continued along Tower Trail until connecting with the Old Ute Trail and made my way around that loop, enjoying the solitude I found on this trail.  For how busy and chaotic Colorado has seemed to get over recent years, it was nice to know that on a random Thursday morning the trails aren't completely packed, and for several stretches I found myself alone, surrounded by nothing but trees, the sounds of birds and bugs, fresh air.  I continued walking, discovering I still had the sense of excitement about trying to make my way to the ruins, one of the historic points of interest along the trail.  I went along the Meadow Trail and connected to Castle Trail, a smile on my face when the ruins came into view.

Reminded again of many days of adventuring with my family, I snapped more photos and enjoyed looking around.  After spending what time I needed around one of my favorite childhood places, I finished hiking along the Castle Trail to get back to the car.  The loop I went on was just a couple miles, but it was filled with solitude, lovely nostalgia, taking pictures, basking in the beautiful sun and views... And I made it back to Denver in time to pick up the dog from the dentist.  The total distance of trails they have in Mt Falcon Park is over 12 miles, so I hope to take more time jaunting around there in the hopefully near future on another random weekday. to enjoy more miles, more pictures, and more smiles.