Exploding wildflowers highlight Independence Day celebration in Mueller State Park in July

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

June 24, 2022

Mueller State Park bursts with wildflowers in July and free programs for guests 

By Linda Groat
Colorado Parks and Wildlife Program Coordinator

DIVIDE, Colo. – Wildflowers explode in the meadows of Mueller State Park in July, a quiet contrast to the fireworks that mark most Independence Day celebrations.

And the park’s events calendar explodes, too, with free kids programs, guided hikes, campfire programs and even a “Star Party” and a “Dark Sky Hike” to help visitors discover the birds, flowers, animals and history that make Mueller so popular. 

This month’s program topics include the history of railroads, agriculture, tourism and ghost towns. The Star Party will feature experts from the Colorado Springs Astronomical Society. And there will be a live Birds of Prey program. 

Here is a full list of July programs at Mueller: 

Friday, July 1 

Scavenger Hunt Hike
10 a.m. Meet at Wapiti Trailhead
Sharpen your nature detective skills on a fun scavenger hunt in the forest. Great for all ages. Led by Naturalist Ben.

Saturday, July 2

Tree Hike
9 a.m. Meet at Wapiti Trailhead
Trees are essential. Come learn how to identify the trees that surround you in Mueller and the unique characteristics that each has to offer. This hike will include hands-on examples of leaves, needles and cones. Led by Naturalist Ben.

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

Living with Bears
8 p.m. Meet at the Amphitheater
Want to learn more about bears? Naturalist Jacob can barely wait to tell you all about them. Meet at the amphitheater for an informative presentation all about one of our most popular neighbors.

Sunday, July 3

Tracks and Scat
10 a.m. Meet at Camper Services
Learn to read the clues animals leave behind. Their tracks and scat may be the only clues left behind that show animals have been there. Led by Naturalist Ben.

Tuesday, July 5

Bird Walk
8:30 a.m. Meet at Elk Meadow Trailhead
Migrating birds have arrived and some are remaining to breed and raise young.  Come see and hear the spring birds as they are busy caring for their young and fledging.  1.5 mile slow-paced walk.  Led by Volunteer Naturalist Michael.

Wednesday, July 6

Wildflower Wednesday Hike
9 a.m. Meet at School Pond Trailhead
Gentle hills and a peaceful pond on this 2-mile hike. Keep an eye out for wildflowers and learn how to identify them with Naturalist Ben.

Thursday, July 7

Hike: Wapiti Nature Trail
9 a.m. Meet at Wapiti Trailhead
Explore an easy trail with Naturalist Ben. Learn about the local trees and wildlife at Mueller State Park.

History of Railroads in the Pike Peak Region
8 p.m. At the Amphitheater
Mining requires transportation to move large amounts of heavy machinery and ore. Railroads were the most efficient method of transportation in the gold rush era. From 1870 to 1910, 5,000 miles of railroads were built through some of the most demanding terrain, and made the settlement of Colorado possible.

Friday, July 8

Outlook Ridge Sketching Hike
8:30 a.m. Meet at Outlook Ridge Trailhead
Join Volunteers Eileen and Carrie on this 3-mile hike past beautiful views of Pikes Peak and rock outcroppings. We will hike past Lost Pond and then stop for an outdoor sketching session with local artist Cyndi at one of the outlooks before returning to the trailhead. No experience necessary for sketching, and supplies will be provided. Moderate due to steep hills.

Knots and Lashing
2 p.m. Meet at Camper Services
Learn the camp skill of tying knots and lashing. Fun and practical. Learn 2 basic knots and make a project to take home. Ages 6 and up. Led by Volunteer Naturalist Rusty.

Wild About Elk
8 p.m. Meet 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.  

Saturday, July 9

Archery
10 a.m. Meet at Dragonfly Pond
Learn to shoot a bow and arrow. Ages 8 and up, equipment provided. Led by the Naturalist team.

Bear Aware Roving Program
1-2:30 Meet near the Comfort Station
Catch Naturalist Ben and his little red wagon to talk about everything Bears. Learn about their diet, habitat, and what to do when encountered. Will be roving around the campground within Mueller State Park.

Sunset Hike
7:30 p.m. Meet at Outlook Ridge Trailhead
Join Naturalist Ben to see the sun set over Pikes Peak. Easy 1-mile. Dress warmly and bring a flashlight for the way back.

Sunday, July 10

Tree Cookie Crafts
10 a.m. Meet at Camper Services
Make a souvenir to take home made with a real slice of aspen. Crafty fun for all ages. Led by Naturalist Ben.

Monday, July 11

Hike: Wapiti Nature Trail 
8:30 a.m.  Meet at Wapiti Trailhead
A general natural history hike.  Learn about the unique characteristics of Mueller State Park. Look for spring wildflowers, birds, and trees. 1-mile slow-paced loop. Led by Volunteer Naturalist Michael.

Tuesday, July 12

Pond Safari
10 a.m. Meet at Dragonfly Pond
Explore the underwater world of the pond to see who lives there. Hands-on and fun. Led by Naturalist Linda.

Thursday, July 14

Tiger Salamander Hike
10 a.m. Meet at Lost Pond Trailhead
Enjoy a hike to Lost Pond to search for the Tiger Salamander and other aquatic critters. Led by Naturalist Ben.

History of Agriculture in the Pikes Peak Region
8 p.m. At the Amphitheater
Agriculture became a major industry in Colorado beginning in 1860’s - driven by the need to feed the miners in Colorado, the desire for land by Civil War Veterans, and the evolution of agricultural Technology. Hosted by Naturalist Paul.

Friday, July 15 

Hike: Osborn Cabin
2 p.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. Led by Naturalist Jacob. Moderate 3-miles.

Stories and S’mores
8 p.m. Meet at the Amphitheater
Have any good stories to share? Join Naturalist Jacob around the campfire for s'mores and stories. Feel free to bring your own campfire stories, or just relax and enjoy the show. 

Saturday, July 16

Hike: Cahill Pond and Cabin
9 a.m. Meet at Grouse Mountain Trailhead
Enjoy a favorite trail to visit the historic homestead of the Cahill brothers and great views of Pikes Peak. Moderate 3-miles with Naturalist Ben.

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

Geocaching
2 p.m. Meet at Outlook Ridge Trailhead
Enjoy a leisure hike with hidden geocaches on the route. Learn how to use a GPS. Do your best to find them all.  Led by Naturalist Ben.

Cheesman Ranch Evening Hike
6 p.m. Meet at Grouse Mountain Trailhead
Join Naturalist Jacob before the sun sets and hike into the night for a 5-mile hike around historical Cheesman Ranch. Bring water, snacks and a headlamp.  This hike will be returning in the dark and may take up to 4 hours.

Sunday, July 17

Bighorn Sheep Touch Table
10 a.m. Meet at Camper Services
Ever wonder how Bighorn Sheep can live in steep rocky habitats? Join Naturalist Ben and learn about nature’s rock climbers. This will be a hands on experience with furs and other items.

Monday, July 18

Pond Safari
1 p.m. Meet at Dragonfly Pond
Explore the underwater world of the pond to see who lives there.  Hands-on and fun.  Learn about ecosystems, water quality, and aquatic creepy crawlies.  Learn about the trout vs. carp dichotomy and some brief words about the water quality of Dragonfly Pond and the life therein.  Led by Volunteer Naturalist Michael. 

Tuesday, July 19

Bird Walk
8:30 a.m. Meet at Elk Meadow Trailhead
Get to know the birds of the area with Naturalist Craig as he guides you on a nice leisure morning walk through the Spruce-Fir Forest of Mueller. 

Wednesday, July 20

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 wildflowers and birds.

Thursday, July 21

Hike: Outlook Ridge 
9 a.m. Meet at Outlook Ridge Trailhead
Hike out to a beautiful overlook of the Continental Divide and the mountains to the south and west. See the majesty of summer colors. Led by Naturalist Ben, 2-miles.

History of Tourism in the Pikes Peak Region
8:30 p.m. At the Amphitheater
Early Native Americans were perhaps the earliest users of Colorado Hot Springs as a place to rest and meditate; followed by tourists from all over the US as they flocked to Colorado beginning in the 1870s.  From the first ski area near Mueller to outdoor recreation today, this region is one of the most visited places in the US.  History every Thursday with Volunteer Paul.

Friday, July 22

Archery
10 a.m. Meet at Dragonfly Pond
Learn to shoot a bow and arrow. Ages 8 and up, equipment provided. Led by the Naturalist team.

Tracking and Trailing
2 p.m. Meet at Camper Services
Learn about animals and their tracks and play a game about tracking and trailing PEOPLE. For ages 6 and up. Led by Volunteer Rusty.

Living with Wildlife
8 p.m. Meet 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.

Saturday, July 23

Mystery Hike
9 a.m. Meet at the Visitor Center
Join Naturalist Ben and put your nature detective skills to the test. Solve the crime of who ate the Bear.

Fly Tying
10 a.m. Meet 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.

Forest Bathing Walk with Ephemeral Art
10-1 p.m. Meet on the Visitor Center
Join Nature Therapy Guide Jane for the mindfulness practice of Forest Bathing (Shinrin-yoku) rooted in Japan. Unwind & enjoy deepening your nature relationship on this secluded 1-mile sensory-based walk, with special time for creating ephemeral art, closing with forest tea. Min. age 12 recommended. Bring water, rain gear & small backpack.

Nature Bingo
1 p.m. Meet at Camper Services
Come join us for a fun twist on a classic camp game. This style of bingo will include characteristics of plants and animals. Led by Naturalist Ben.

Live Birds of Prey
7 p.m. At the Amphitheater
Birds of Prey are some of the most amazing animals.  Hear all about them from Diana Miller of the Nature and Raptor Center of Pueblo.  One of our best programs all summer. 

Sunday, July 24

Bird Walk
8:30 a.m. Meet at Elk Meadow Trailhead
Migrating birds have arrived and some are remaining to breed and raise young.  Come see and hear the summer birds as they are busy caring for their young and fledging.  1.5 mile slow-paced walk.  Led by Volunteer Naturalist Michael.

Tuesday, July 26

Dark Sky Hike
Watch the night sky unfold. Learn how to find the North Star, constellations and fun facts about the cosmos. Easy 1-mile round trip hike. Dress for cool weather. Bring headlamp.

Wednesday, July 27

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

Thursday, July 28

Hike: Dynamite Cabin
9 a.m. Meet at Grouse Mountain Trailhead
This area of Colorado has extensive history. Come explore the Dynamite Cabin and the deep forest around it. Led by Naturalist Ben. 2-miles.

History of How Colorado became a State
8 p.m. Meet at the Amphitheater
A fun part of studying history, is tracing the connection of events which lead to today. In this talk we trace the connections of Henry VIII of England desire for a male heir to Colorado Statehood.  Led by Volunteer Paul.

Friday, July 29

Cat Controversy
10 a.m. Meet at Camper Services
Learn about common myths and misconceptions when it comes to the wild animals in the cat family. Have fun with a fact or myth game with Naturalist Ben.

Hug a Tree
2 p.m. Meet at the Visitor Center
Basic survival in the woods for kids. Fast- moving and go home with some survival items. Ages 5 and up. Led by Volunteer Rusty

Going Batty
8 p.m. At the Amphitheater
Bats are truly amazing animals and often misunderstood.  Come hear the fact vs fiction about the only flying mammals.  Led by Naturalist Linda.

Saturday, July 30 

Fishing Basics
8 a.m. Meet at Dragonfly Pond
Want to get hooked on fishing? Join Naturalist Jacob to learn the basics of spin cast fishing. All equipment is provided. Sunscreen, hat, glasses, and water are recommended.

Archery
10 p.m. Meet at Dragonfly Pond
Learn to shoot a bow and arrow. Ages 8 and up, equipment provided. Led by the Naturalist team.

Bear and Lion Jeopardy
2 p.m.  Meet at Camper Services
Enjoy a fun and laid-back game of Jeopardy staring bears and lions. Put your wildlife knowledge to the test. How much do you know about our big predators?

Star Party
8:30 p.m. Meet at the Visitor Center
Join the Colorado Springs Astronomical Society to look through telescopes and learn all about stars, planets and much more.

Sunday, July 31

Felines of Mueller Touch Table
10 a.m. Meet at Camper Services
Ever wonder what Cats and wild animals have in common? Come learn and experience a variety of different pelts, tracks, and skulls to see similarities and differences. Hosted by Naturalist Ben.

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.