Signature Bluffs Natural Area

After leaving Castle Rock we drove north towards home and decided to make a side trip to Greeley. We went to get some beers at Weld Werks.

We had a picnic lunch at Island Grove Park and then headed over to Signature Bluffs Natural Area for a short walk to enjoy the peak fall colors.

Castle Rock's Rock Park

This morning we checked out of the hotel and made the short drive over to the Rock Park. 

We parked and immediately hit the trail.

The trail climbs steadily and eventually views opened up over the city of Castle Rock.

As we approached the top of the trail, we caught great views of the town's namesake which is a prominent landmark for travelers on I-25.

We walked around the base of the rock,

then we started to make our way back down.

We arrived back at the car for our drive north. 

Castlewood Canyon State Park

This morning after breakfast Noelle, Sierra, Rosie and I headed east from our hotel to the interesting Castlewood Canyon State Park. We parked the car at the trailhead and hit the Lake Gulch Trail.

The trail started off as a winding hike through small oaks (and small acorns)

and scattered junipers and Ponderosa pines.

Soon, we caught our first big view: a wide grassy canyon.

Soon the trail started to descend into the canyon.

We crossed Cherry Creek on a bridge 

and then headed over to the remains of the failed Castlewood Dam.

We explored the dam for a little bit, climbing a trail to the top.

After our exploration we continued up the canyon along Cherry Creek.

Views opened up down to the stream below.

There was even a small waterfall.

The trail continued to follow the creek downstream.

Eventually, we crossed the creek 

and then started to climb out of the canyon.

Spectacular views opened up of the surrounding area.

Parts of the trail here passed very close to the rim of the canyon.

Then, the trail descended back down to the dam.

From the dam we returned to the large bridge we had crossed earlier in the hike, but instead of crossing over it, we followed the creek upstream for a bit before returning to the car.

Back at the car, we drove into town for lunch at an Indian restaurant with a lunch buffet.