Announcing a new Meetup for Weekend Hikers...Plus!

What: Dayhike the Flying J Ranch

When: Sunday, May 9,[masked]:00 AM

Where:
Flying J Ranch Park
3599 S. Wadsworth Blvd.,
Lakewood, CO 80235

Kimmy Kazu is leading this hike. I will be backpacking.

Directions to the Wadsworth and Hampden park-n-ride: Wadsworth and Hampden
From Wadsworth Blvd. & Hampden, continue south on Wadsworth Blvd. to W. Jefferson Ave.
Right on W. Jefferson Ave., into park-n-Ride. We'll plan on leaving this park-n-ride at 9am.

Directions to the trailhead: From US Highway 285 at Aspen Park, take Barkley Road to County Highway 73. Turn north and travel to the main trailhead entrance. Alternative parking is available on Shadow Mountain Drive at Highway 73.

The hike: We'll do the Shadow Pine Loop. It's 3.1 miles around with an elevation gain/loss of around 400 ft. If we have a large group we'll split in two and go both directions. We'll plan to start this hike at 10:00 am.

History: Likely, Native American people used this area as it lies close to a traditional migration route known as the Ute Trail. These trails were also logical travel routes for the early prospectors and homesteaders. During the great Colorado Gold Rush of 1859, toll roads were constructed at the present junction of Highway 73 and Barkley Road, just opposite the park. Flying J Ranch Park encompasses two original homesteads of William Hagen and Ernest Hicks from the late 1800s. Portions of the two homesteads were sold beginning in 1913. In 1948, John and Marguerite Schoonhoven purchased the remaining land where they would raise cattle for decades. Beginning in 1995, Jefferson County Open Space acquired Flying J Ranch property from the De La Castro and Schoonhoven families through multiple transactions.

Dogs must be on a leash.

Learn more here:
http://hiking.meetup.com/351/calendar/13409385/