Believe it or not, you don't have to embark on long drives to witness
the beauty of wildflowers in the Colorado mountains. There are plenty of
accessible locations where you can hop in your car and, in just 45
minutes or less, find yourself surrounded by fragrant scents and vibrant
colors.
Last Saturday, I opted for one of the closest locations that also
promised stunning views of downtown Denver: the Morrison trailhead of
the Mount Falcon Trail. The morning greeted me with a slight change in
weather as clouds adorned the hilltops, partially veiling them in mist.
The trail began its ascent, treating me to picturesque views of the
surrounding hills—exactly what I had hoped for on this hike. And the
wildflowers were abundant right from the start, offering a truly
delightful sight.
Among the blossoms, I particularly adored the Mariposa Lilies that
graced the trail. Their presence added to the already pleasant
atmosphere, captivating my senses.
Before long, the downtown Denver skyline came into view, nestled between the Dinosaur Ridge and a backdrop of hills.
The sight of the Dinosaur Ridge itself was truly outstanding.
While the outskirts of Denver looked fine, the downtown area
remained shrouded in a veil of fog, lending an air of mystique to the
scene.
The Morrison formations added further charm to the hike, enhancing the overall experience.
And the flowers! They were practically within arm's reach, flourishing
in abundance. A myriad of colors and shapes greeted me at every
turn—single blooms and clusters alike. From the very first minute, I
fell in love with the floral extravaganza that surrounded me on the
trail.
Hello again, beautiful Lily ;)
As the trail zigzagged and ascended the hill, more views and intricate details revealed themselves.
Bluebells, with their simple yet captivating shape and vibrant
hues, always manage to capture my attention wherever I encounter them.
I came across bumblebees congregating around thistles, busily indulging in their nectar-filled feast.
Meanwhile, elegant Mariposa Lilies adorned the landscape in every
direction. I couldn't recall seeing so many of these stunning flowers in
one place before, and their beauty never failed to attract me and
capture my attention.
Oh, the Mountain Mahogany! Its graceful appearance only added to the enchantment of the trail.
As I continued my climb, I discovered even more varieties of
flowers that dotted the path, each contributing to the symphony of
colors and scents.
At every turn, the view of the Red Rocks and Dinosaur Ridge
unfolded before me, growing increasingly spectacular with each new
perspective.
And there were more Mariposa Lilies — truly a sight to behold!
Dogs on the trail? There were dozens of them! However, only a couple
seemed to be hiking with remarkable comfort, evoking a tinge of envy
within me.
Bright yellow-orange blooms proved irresistible to insects, their
vibrant allure impossible to ignore. I found myself pausing frequently
to marvel at their magnificence.
While I hadn't planned to hike all the way up to Mount Falcon Park, I
wanted just to have some fun, not a workout. Once I reached an ascent of
1000 feet, I turned around and began my descent, keeping an eye out for
further attractions along the way.
Bear Creek Road meandered just below my feet, with the Red Rock
formations creating a striking backdrop that added to the scenic
beauty.
As I took the Turkey Trot trail back to the parking lot, I noticed
that the flowers on the lower section of the trail had become pricklier.
Blooming Prickly Pears enticed bees with their highly attractive
flowers.
And let's not forget the Prickly Poppies—they too buzzed with insect activity, yet managed to retain their stunning appearance.
And the prickly pears there bear the flowers of all colors - yellow and pink and even vibrant purple - rare treat.
What can I say? It was a delightful and leisurely hike, offering a
plethora of wildflowers to admire. Honestly, I hadn't expected to
encounter such a profusion of blooms. It was a delightful surprise!
After covering almost 5 miles, I returned with a heart full of floral
impressions. With a total elevation gain of just over 1100 feet, I would
classify this hike as an easy one. I wholeheartedly recommend it to
anyone eager to marvel at wildflowers but not quite prepared for a
four-hour drive to the United States' wildflower capital. This trail
provides a splendid alternative close to home. And... it you want more feel free to continue and climb all way to the Falcon Mountain park... You can easily extend the easy walk to a whole day hike and cover dozen of miles... it's up to you!
Thanks ChatGPT for proofreading and improving my writing style ;)
The pictures were taken on July 08, 2023.
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