Mueller State Park naturalists have a variety of hikes and activities planned to share the wonder and science of all the living things during May

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  Bill Vogrin
Southeast Region Public Information Officer
719-466-3927 / [email protected]

April 27, 2022

Spring at Mueller State Park brings a variety of hikes and activities to enjoy the season 

By Linda Groat
Colorado Parks and Wildlife Program Coordinator

DIVIDE, Colo. – Spring has arrived at Mueller State Park and staff naturalists and volunteers have a variety of hikes and activities planned to share the wonder and science of all the living things at the park during May.

Programs will highlight wildlife, historic sites, outdoor recreation and exploring the trails at the park.

 Guided hikes range from 1 to 5 miles in length. Bird walks are slow-paced and search out the new arrivals of migrating birds. Longer hikes visit scenic or historic spots.  Be prepared with good walking shoes, water and an energy snack. Evening amphitheater programs will explore a Hiking Checklist, Safety around Wildlife, and Wild about Elk.  

Learn a new skill to broaden your outdoor activities. Target archery and fly-fishing classes are led by experts and can give you a good start on enjoying a new hobby.  Both of these activities are suitable for ages 8 and up.

Geocaching is great fun for one person, or the whole family.  New this year, we will have Fly Tying classes to help folks learn to tie their own flies for fly-fishing.  All equipment is provided for each program.

Most of these programs will happen again throughout the summer months.

And we’re also looking forward to one of our biggest events of the summer: Outdoor Skills Day scheduled for 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on June 25. 

Don’t miss this annual event, which features activities for the whole family. Including: fishing, fly-fishing, target shooting with shotguns, .22-caliber rifles, archery, camping, Bear Aware fun and much more. 

Here is a full list of Mueller State Park events in May:

Tuesday, May 3

Dark Sky Hike
8 p.m. Meet at Outlook Ridge Trailhead
Watch the night sky unfold. Learn how to find constellations, the North Star and fun facts about the cosmos. It’s an easy 1-mile roundtrip hike. Dress for cool weather. Bring a headlamp.

Wednesday, May 4

Hike: School Pond 
9 a.m. Meet at School Pond Trailhead
Join Volunteer Naturalist Penny on a moderate, 2-mile hike on School Pond Loop. Watch for signs of spring wildflowers and birds.

Friday, May 6

Hike: Elk Meadow to Murphy’s Cut
8:30 a.m. Meet at Elk Meadow Trailhead
Enjoy great views of Pikes Peak and the rolling hills of Mueller with Volunteer Naturalist Cindi. Visit the historic site of the Midland Terminal Railroad. This unique trail is a moderate 4-miles.

Saturday, May 7

Hike: Outlook Ridge Loop
8:30 a.m. Meet at Outlook Ridge Trailhead
Visit Lost Pond and see great views from Outlook Ridge on this 4-mile moderate hike led by Volunteer Naturalist Cindi. Bring water.  

Hike: Osborn Homestead
9 a.m. Meet at Black Bear Trailhead
Imagine what it was like to homestead here and survive living off the land. Hear the Osborn family story. This moderate 3-mile hike is led by Naturalist Rose.

Walk: Forest Bathing and Ephemeral Art for Mother Earth
1-4 p.m. Meet at the Visitor Center 
Celebrate Mother Earth with a Forest Bathing/Shinrin-Yoku 1-mile walk with an opportunity to play and create ephemeral art with elements we find (and leave), ending with forest tea. Enjoy reconnecting with yourself, others and nature through this mindful practice rooted in Japan. Minimum participant age is 12. Pre-registration is required by calling 719 687-2366.

Wednesday, May 11

Hike: Nobel Cabin
9 a.m.  Meet at Black Bear Trailhead
Head into the backcountry of Mueller with Volunteer Naturalist Penny on a 4-mile hike. Visit Nobel Cabin, one of the many homesteader cabins left within the park. Bring water.

Friday, May 13

Hug a Tree to Survive – for Kids
2 p.m. Meet at the Visitor Center
Basic survival in the woods for kids. Fast-moving for ages 5 and up. Go home with survival items. Led by Volunteer Rusty. 

Saturday, May 14

Hike: School Pond 
9 a.m. Meet at School Pond Trailhead
Join Naturalist Ben on a moderate, 2-mile hike on School Pond Loop. Watch for signs of spring wildflowers and birds.

Fly-Tying Class
1 p.m. At the Visitor Center
Learn how to tie your own flies for fly-fishing. See the basics and give it a try. Led by Volunteer Naturalist Craig. Equipment provided.

Sunday, May 15 

Full Moon Hike 
8 p.m. Meet at Outlook Ridge Trailhead 
Watch the full moon rise over Pikes Peak. Learn fun facts about the night sky. Easy 1-mile round trip hike. Dress for cool weather. Bring a headlamp. Led by Volunteer Naturalist Jim.

Wednesday, May 18

Bird Walk
8:30 a.m. Meet at Elk Meadow Trailhead
Migrating birds are arriving at Mueller for the breeding season. Come see and hear the spring birds as they are busy singing, courting and nesting. This is a 1.5-mile slow-paced walk led by Volunteer Naturalist Craig.

Thursday, May 19

Hike: Cheesman Ranch 
8:30 a.m. Meet at Grouse Mountain Trailhead
Explore the Cheesman Ranch, where the Mueller family ran its cattle operation. Join Volunteer Naturalist Cindi on a moderate 5-mile loop. Bring plenty of water and snacks.

Friday, May 20

Hike: Grouse Mountain Sketching Hike
8:30-11 a.m. Meet at Grouse Mountain Trailhead
Join Volunteer Naturalists Eileen and Carrie on this easy 2.3-mile hike to the top of Grouse Mountain, the highest point in Mueller State Park at 9,843 feet. Stop for an outdoor sketching session with local artist Cyndi and enjoy beautiful views of Pikes Peak and the Sangre de Cristo Range. No experience necessary for sketching, and supplies will be provided. 

Saturday, May 21

Hike: Dynamite and Cahill Cabins
8:30 a.m. Meet at Grouse Mountain Trailhead
Visit two homesteader cabins from the early 1900’s. Hear how people lived in the mountains that long ago. Led by Volunteer Naturalist Cindi. Bring water and a snack on this 4-mile moderate hike.

Hike: Rock Pond
9 a.m. Meet at Rock Pond Trailhead
Enjoy a favorite trail and great time of year on this 5-mile hike to the beautiful Rock Pond.  Descend 700-feet into the backcountry and through a lush valley where beavers and black bear live. Difficult hike due to elevation change. Bring water, snacks and good hiking shoes. Led by Volunteer Naturalist Rose.

Fly Fishing
10 a.m. Meet at Dragonfly Pond
Learn the basics of fly-fishing with Volunteer Craig. For 8 years and up. All equipment provided.

Hike: Peak View Trail
2 p.m. Meet at Elk Meadow Trailhead
See thick forests, grassy meadows and scenic Peak View Pond on this gentle 1.5-mile hike with Naturalist Ben.

Hiking Checklist
7:30 p.m. At the Amphitheater
Enjoy a quick and simple presentation from Naturalist Ben that discusses some of the essential and most helpful items to bring hiking with you. This presentation will focus on backcountry and front country, wilderness settings. Dress warm.

Wednesday, May 25

Fly Fishing
10 a.m. Meet at Dragonfly Pond
Learn the basics of fly-fishing with Volunteer Craig. For 8 years and up. All equipment provided.

Friday, May 27

Hike: Wapiti Nature Trail
9 a.m.  Meet at Wapiti Trailhead
Check out the Wapiti Nature Trail with Naturalist Ben and learn about all the unique characteristics of Mueller State Park’s ecosystem. Keep an eye out for wildlife. Around 1-mile round trip.

Knee High to Nature – Kids
2 p.m. Meet at the Visitor Center
Nature games and exploring for kids. Grown-ups welcome. Led by Volunteer Naturalist Rusty.

Wild About Elk
7:30 p.m.  At the Amphitheater
Mueller is home to lots of elk year-round. Discover these fascinating animals who are having their babies now and why they are called “Ghosts of the Forest.” Join Naturalist Linda at the campground amphitheater tonight. Dress warm and bring a blanket to wrap up in.

Saturday, May 28

Archery
10 a.m. Meet at Dragonfly Pond parking
Learn to shoot a bow and arrow. Equipment provided. Must be 8 yrs. and up. Led by the Naturalist team.

Hike: Grouse Mountain Trail
2 p.m. Meet at Grouse Mountain Trailhead
Get to know Grouse Mountain, one of our most popular hikes with Naturalist Ben. Experience the highest point of the state park in an easy out and back hike. Around 1-mile round trip.

Living Safely with Wildlife
7:30 p.m. At the Amphitheater
Ever wonder what to do if you encounter wildlife in a wilderness setting? Attend this presentation from Naturalist Ben and learn about safety tips and steps that you can take to ensure you are being safe around wildlife and respecting their homes. Dress warm and bring a blanket.

Sunday, May 29

Hike: School Pond 
9 a.m. Meet at School Pond Trailhead
Join Naturalist Jacob on a moderate, 2-mile hike on School Pond Loop. Watch for signs of spring wildflowers and birds.

Spring Geocaching Adventure
2 p.m. Meet at Outlook Ridge Trailhead
As we move into spring, join Naturalist Ben for a fun-filled afternoon of geocaching where we will see some of the unique signs of spring. Learn to use a GPS. All equipment provided 

Hiking Checklist
7:30 p.m. At the Amphitheater
Enjoy a quick and simple presentation from Naturalist Ben that discusses some of the essential and most helpful items to bring hiking with you. This presentation will focus on backcountry and front country, wilderness settings. Dress warm.

Monday, May 30

Bird Walk
8:30 a.m. Meet at Elk Meadow Trailhead
Migrating birds are arriving at Mueller for the breeding season. Come see and hear the spring birds as they are busy singing, courting and nesting. This is a 1.5-mile slow-paced walk led by Volunteer Naturalist Craig.

Mueller events are free for any guest with a $9 day pass or $80 annual vehicle park pass.

For more information, call the park at 719-687-2366.

Mueller State Park is located 45 minutes from Colorado Springs along Colorado Highway 67, just 3½ miles south of the intersection of U.S. Highway 24 at Divide on the west side of Pikes Peak.