Mount Falcon Park – Eastern Loop | Jefferson County Open Space
Morrison, CO | 01/16/21 | 7.88 miles | 1,796′ gain
This was a very last minute hike. I texted Allie at 9am asking if she wanted to go hiking – well, now. She was on board so we quickly picked a hike, packed our bags, and made it to the trailhead by 10:30, snagging the very last parking spot. Sometimes doing things last minute works out!
Mount Falcon Park is most commonly known for the Walker Home ruins, the remains of a grand mansion. I’d visited two years before from the west side, but Allie hadn’t made it up there yet and was itching to see the ruins for herself. It was an easy choice to start from the east side this time – new trails for me and a longer/more difficult hike.
The eastern trailhead is right outside the town of Morrison, very close to Denver. There are two trail options leaving this trailhead, the Turkey Trot Trail and the Castle Trail. We took the Turkey Trot Trail first, a hiker-only alternate to the busy Castle Trail. We were on Turkey Trot for 1.7 miles before reconnecting with the Castle Trail, which we took all the way to the “castle” or the Walker Home ruins.
Once we met up with the Castle Trail, we found the crowds. Mount Falcon Park is always busy, perhaps especially so on a beautiful Saturday. After 1.6 miles on the Castle Trail, we reached the Walker Home Ruins.
John B. Walker, a self-made millionaire, bought 4,000 acres including what is now Mount Falcon Park. Construction began on the mansion in 1909; a grand home plenty big enough for John, his wife, and their children. There were ten bedrooms, a music room, a library, and servants’ quarters. Sadly, Mrs. Walker died in 1916 and lightning struck the home in 1918, burning it to the ground. Soon after, Walker left Colorado for good. All that remains of the mansion are a few stone walls, but it’s not difficult to imagine how grand this mansion once was.
After exploring the ruins, we headed back down the Castle Trail. We made a quick detour to the Summer White House site down a 0.4 mile side trail. Another of John Walker’s dreams, the Summer White House was to be a retreat for US Presidents. Modeled after European castles, Walker had designs drawn up and the cornerstone was laid in 1914. Soon after, Walker switched his focus to other projects and the Summer White House was never finished.
From the Summer White House, we followed the Castle Trail 2.5 miles back to the trailhead.
Chelsea
Colorado Chelsea 
Cool 😎 I can’t do that any more The ‘High Uintas’ & skiing (Utah) blew my knees out 30 yrs ago 😦
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I’m so sorry to hear that! Hopefully you’re able to enjoy the outdoors in other ways ❤
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Every Day Sunrise to sunset and a few moon dances too 😉 they call me ‘hop along’
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Looks like a great hike, good views and interesting history. Thanks for sharing Chelsea. Allan
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Thanks Allan! I love when I can add some history to my hikes.
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Great to read your post and to get to know about Walker Home ruins. I really enjoy to learn about the local history from such posts.
Also, the landscape, especially the dryness, looks very similar to the landscape of the area I live (in Greece).
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Thank you! I love it when I can combine history & hiking.
It’s always fascinating to me that places across the world from each other can be so similar!
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I’ve only been from the east side. Been meaning to do it from the west. The crowds are crazy
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It’s busy from the west too, but there are some quieter trails up there once you get off the Castle Trail. It seems everyone heads straight to the ruins, so you might have the Parmalee & Tower Trails to yourself!
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Wow, I did this hike in the winter, completely covered in snow. I had no idea it was so colorful!
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It’s a beautiful park! I bet it was pretty with snow too
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Interesting mansion and story. I had never heard of this place prior to your post.
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There is so much history all around us. I’m always thankful when there are interpretive signs so I can learn all about it 🙂
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This one has been on my bucket list for awhile. I am heading back in August, maybe then!!
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Yes!! You have to get up there. It’s a bit shorter/easier from the western side if you don’t have much time.
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That’s good to know! I’m trying to have a Plan B if I can’t get RMNP reservations this year!
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