Staunton State Park: BIG Loop to Elk Pond & Eagle 🦅 Cliffs Overlooks

Let’s do a nice big loop hike at Staunton State Park…😎

Difficulty: about 14-15 miles with about 2,500-2,800 feet elevation gain. This is a self-created trail so distance and elevation gain are estimated.

FEE: THERE IS A $10 FEE FOR A DAY PASS IF YOU DO NOT HAVE AN ANNUAL STATE PARKS PASS. Note that the entrance station will not be manned and you will need to pull over at the entrance and pay at the self-pay kiosk. See further info here: https://cpw.state.co.us/placestogo/Parks/Staunton/

HIKE DESCRIPTION: On this big loop hike, we’ll start out by hiking the Staunton Ranch Trail and then pick up Scout Line & Marmot Passage Trails over to Elk Falls Pond. After enjoying a snack at the Pond, we’ll head up Bugling Elk & Borderline Trails to the Staunton Rocks Overlook. From there, we’ll continue on to the Old Mill Site and then hike to the Bear Paw Trail to 3 overlooks: Eagle Cliffs, Pikes Peak, and Catamount Overlooks. Plan on taking another break for snacks/lunch at Eagle Cliffs Overlook. After the 3 overlooks, we’ll take Mason Creek Trail back to our cars.

Staunton opened to the public in May 2013 as the 41st Colorado State Park. The scenery and setting of Staunton are unique. Geologic features, such as large rock outcrops and dramatic cliffs, dominate many of the views in the park, and the ponderosa pine stands are some of the most mature along the Front Range. This is a loop trail with beautiful scenic views of rock cliffs, distant mountains, and expansive valley views. Here is a link to my self-made trail in alltrails: https://www.alltrails.com/explore/map/map-august-21-2025-3385314?u=i&sh=ittjkn

NO DOGS PLEASE: This is a long hike, so I prefer no dogs on this hike.

ADDRESS/DIRECTIONS: We will meet at the Staunton State Park Meadow Lot. Continue up the road past the Visitors Center and after a short distance you will see a parking lot on the left and also on the right. We will meet in the lot on the right. DO NOT continue up the road to the Lazy V Parking area. If you use Google maps, type in “Staunton State Park - Meadow Parking Lot” for directions. This is not the trail we are doing, but you can use the following alltrails link to get to the parking lot: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/colorado/staunton-ranch-old-mill-and-border-line-trail-loop
The Staunton State Park address is: 12102 S. Elk Creek Road, Pine, CO 80470. Look for my blue Subaru Outback.

We wait 5 minutes for late arrivals…but no longer as that is inconsiderate to those arriving timely. So please allow extra time to get to the trailhead.

IMPORTANT: This is a participate at your own risk event! Life is risky. I am not a professional guide and am simply hosting this event. By signing up for this hike you acknowledge that you are capable of performing this hike and that you are solely responsible for your own safety.

NO SHOWS: If you are a no-show to 2 hikes, you will be booted from this meetup group. So please change your RSVP to “not going” if you are unable to make it.

WHAT YOU SHOULD BRING: Water, snacks/lunch, layers of clothing, good hiking shoes/boots, sunscreen, sunglasses, hat, gloves, hiking poles (if you find them helpful), and anything else you deem essential.

WEATHER: Here is the NOAA forecast for the hike location. For hourly temps, wind, precipitation, etc., click “Hourly Weather Forecast” in the upper right. https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lon=-105.396&lat=39.509

REQUIRED WAIVER: Note that if you have not already done so, you must sign the updated waiver with our new meetup name prior to this hike. I will have copies at the trailhead that you can sign or you may print, sign, and bring it with you from the following website: https://www.dropbox.com/s/p728z28jjuwdzws/Waiver%20Corona.pdf?dl=0
If you choose to sign at the trailhead, please arrive early so that we can depart for the hike timely.