Staunton State Park
Location12102 S Elk Creek Rd, Pine, CO 80470
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PDF Map
Trail Map
Park Fees
Daily Pass $9.00
Annual Passes Available
Annual Passes Available
Trailer Parking
After entering the park and paying the daily pass fee take the first right to drive down a road that takes you to the Mason Creek Horse Trailer Parking Lot. Drive in the direction of the arrow to go around the loop then take a right turn into the horse trailer parking spots. There are wonderful signs in the spots letting people know they are reserved for horse trailers. Park facing out of the parking lot so you can easily exit.
Mounting
There were lots of picnic tables to stand on.
Footing
The trail started off pretty soft then was moderately rocky as we navigated some switchbacks. Sam had all 4 shoes on and Blue was barefoot with 4 hoof boots.
Horse Hazards
Staunton is so wonderful, there are very few hazards! The biggest thing is watching for bikers and hikers. The footing is moderately rocky in spots. We did see deer and crossed some mild bridges.
Chosen Trail
We rode 5.1 miles out and back for a total of 10.2 miles according to the map and about 11 miles according to Lisa's GPS app. It took us 1.5 hrs to get to the lake for the first 5.1 miles and 1 hr to get back. We were trotting on the way home but both of our horses could have gone a lot faster. We set a fast pace on this trail so allow yourself more time. From the Lake you can add 2 miles by going up the road to the Elk Falls Overlook and hitching post.
Trail Experience
We started out on Mason Creek Trail from the horse trailer parking lot at Mason Creek.
The trail was soft without too many rocks. We went gradually uphill.
We crossed a small bridge. To our right was a really pretty open meadow.
We crossed another small wooden bridge and came to the Dines Meadow Trail fork. We turned left to stay on Dines Meadow Trail.
We walked by some campsites and hooked up with Staunton Ranch Trail and stayed right on Staunton Ranch Trail.
The trail became a little rockier and wove between the pine trees.
Hikers and bikers were pretty respectful and often got off their bikes to let us pass.
We passed the first fork of the Historic Cabin Trail loop and continued on Staunton Ranch Trail.
It was rocky in spots.
We went downhill through a valley and over a bridge with tall sides crossing Black Mountain Creek.
At this point we could have stayed on Staunton Ranch Trail and continued through the woods or take Old Mill Trail down to S. Upper Ranch Drive, the service road to canter on the wide road. We opted to canter. We took a left on Old Mill Trail. If you take this route on the weekends there may be a ranger telling you to stay off the service road and to continue on the Staunton Ranch Trail. To continue on the Staunton Ranch Trail click Here.
We passed the Scout Line Trail fork. Horses are not allowed on this trail.
It was perfect for a nice canter. Sam trotted as fast as Blue's canter.
Continuing up S. Upper Ranch Road we saw the fork to take Staunton Ranch Trail on our right, we continued straight.
The service road became Bugling Elk Trail.
This was another great place to trot, gait or canter.
Going downhill on Bugling Elk Trail we stayed left to round the corner.
We rode up to Elk Falls Pond for a water and snack break.
Sam and Blue enjoyed the water and grass. We retraced our steps to ride back to the parking lot.
On another day we continued on around the lake and added another 2 miles to our ride to reach the Elk Falls Lookout.
We continued past the lake on the wide road. We headed up Lions' Back Trail.
We continued past the lake on the wide road. We headed up Lions' Back Trail.
We stayed left to stay on Lions' Back Trail. It went up a steep hill which is hard to tell in the pictures.
We rode through some beautiful Aspen.
We reached the hitching post. There was an option to hike up Elk Falls Overlook by foot to take in the pretty view. We didn't want to leave our horses. Sam is really good at untying himself so we headed back the way we came.
Rating
Amazing! Moderate. This is not an easy trail due to the rocky footing and bridge crossings. It is absolutely wonderful, beautiful and peaceful. This may be one of my top 5 rides.