EXPLORING CHERRY CREEK

We needed a hike close by the campground to dodge potential wet weather.  So we decided to travel a short way east of Castle Rock to hike along the Cherry Creek basin. 

For more than 6,000 years, people hunted, gathered food, and camped along Cherry Creek. The Cherokee Indians were the most notable, settling here in the 1800's. Eventually they were driven out by the white man when the Cherokee Trail linked forts, trading posts, and stage stops heading westward. On May 4, 1872, Irish settler William Brian claimed 160 acres and homesteading began in this region.  The remnants of his homestead buildings still remain beside the trailhead to remind hikers of the beginnings of Colorado farming in the Castle Rock area.

Our purpose this unusually cool day was to hike the Hidden Mesa trail, a five mile hike which crossed Cherry Creek in several places. This was our first hike in the area known as the Shortgrass Prairie. We were pleasantly surprised to see over a dozen prairie dogs along our journey. Prairie dogs are known as the sentinels of the Shortgrass Prairie. We had seen prairie dogs in other trips out west but never this close to observe them.

Prairie dogs look a little bit like squirrels.

We named this prairie dog Squeaky. When we passed him hiking to the mesa and then back to the trailhead, he used his loud voice, sounding like a baby's squeak toy, to let us know that he wasn't pleased with us walking by his hole.

Squeaky's friend got up on his rear haunches to get a closer look at us as we hiked past.

This prairie dog's hole was close to the trail. He watched us intently as we hiked by. In this photo you can see the brown color on his fur.

The only new wildflowers we saw were these Field Bindweed flowers.

As we got up on top of the mesa, we could see storm clouds off to the west. It was time to turn around and head back to the trailhead. Notice how flat the top of the mesa was.

Later that afternoon after the rains came, we were treated to this beautiful rainbow over the butte across from our campsite. At the same time, a freight train carrying parts for giant wind turbines was rolling to the south.

We enjoyed the view of the dark sky, colorful rainbow, and multiple wind turbine propellers rolling by.

This was a great way to end our last hiking day in Colorado. Soon we will be packing up to head back towards Florida.