Local Hikes

Besides spending time with Ron's family, we also took advantage of some nearby hikes.  We were staying in Bear Creek Lake Park which is very close to Red Rocks Park with its famous amphitheatre.  With almost 10,000 seats, it is very popular with performers because of the fine acoustics.

It was built in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC.)

We took the Trading Post Trail which winds among the Fountain Formation red rocks.

Another day we drove to the top of Mt. Falcon and took the Castle Trail.

What's that in the distance?

It's the remains of a magnificent chalet built by John B. Walker in the early 1900s.  Unfortunately, lightning struck the home and it burned down in 1918.

We continued on and enjoyed views of the metropolitan area to the east,

And more of the foothills of the Rockies to the west.

Finally we came to the site of Mr. Walker's grand idea, a Summer White House.  If you blow up this picture, you'll read that he laid the cornerstone in 1914,

 But looking at the foundation, he didn't get very far.

However, it is a nice cornerstone.

Mr. Walker might not have completed his grand idea, but his vision of preserving land eventually became the foundation for the Denver Mountain Parks and Jefferson County Open Space.