Celebrate the end of summer with a 'Star Party' and more at Mueller State Park

Sept. 1, 2023 Bill Vogrin
Southeast Region Public Information Officer
719-466-3927 / [email protected]

Sept. 1, 2023

Celebrate the end of summer with a 'Star Party' and more at Mueller State Park

By Linda Groat
Colorado Parks and Wildlife Program Coordinator

DIVIDE, Colo. – There will be a “Star Party,” a salamander search, a hike to hunt for early fall colors and even a fly fishing clinic this weekend as Mueller State Park celebrates the end of the summer season over the long Labor Day Weekend with its guests.

After the moon sets on Saturday, around 8 p.m. when the skies get dark, members of the Colorado Springs Astronomical Society will take guests on a tour of the heavens through their telescopes. Prepare for a fabulous viewing of the night sky. Bring a chair and blanket.

On Friday evening, at 7:30 p.m., park guests will learn about the big cats in the area and what to do if you see one. All ages are welcome and encouraged to bring a jacket for the cool evening air.

The hunt for turning aspen leaves will occur Saturday morning at 9 a.m. as Naturalist Abby leads guests on a one-mile walk to the highest point in the park. If any aspen have begun to turn gold, Abby will find them.

The Peak View Salamander Search Hike begins at 3:30 p.m., Saturday, starting at the Elk Meadow Trailhead. Naturalist Jack will lead an easy 1.25-mile hike down to Peak View Pond to look for salamanders.

Finally, on Labor Day, guests will gather for a fly fishing clinic at 10 a.m. at Dragonfly Pond where Mueller volunteer Craig will teach the basics of the angling art of fly fishing. Guests 8 years and up are invited and they only need to bring their enthusiasm as all equipment is provided.

But the fun doesn’t end on Labor Day weekend. Mueller hosts naturalist programs all of September to help guests learn about the area. Evening amphitheater programs will continue on weekends and guided hikes are available. 

Special programs in September include Native Bees of Colorado program, a glimpse at some of the 950 species of bees in Colorado.  Also on the schedule are a dark sky hike, a moon hike, and programs on elk, bats and cats.  Perhaps the last outdoor fly fishing and archery classes are planned for the season.

Mueller is open to guided school field trips.  Bring your students to the park for an educational experience they will not forget.

And then there is the attraction of the fall colors, which typically peak towards the end of September and early October, depending on temperature and moisture.  

Best of all, these park activities are free to guests with a vehicle park pass.

Here is the full list of September programs at Mueller:

Friday, Sept. 1

Wapiti Nature Trail Hike
3:30 p.m. Meet at the Visitor Center
Join Naturalist Jack for an easy one-mile hike on Wapiti Nature Trail. Lookout for wildlife as you explore Mueller State Park’s ecosystems.

Prowling Cats
7:30 p.m. Meet at Camper Services
What’s that prowling around? Come learn about the different big cats that are in the area and what to do if you see one. Welcome to all ages. Jackets are recommended for the cool evening air.

Saturday, Sept. 2

Grouse Mountain Leaf Peep Hike
9 a.m. Meet at Grouse Mountain Trailhead
Join Naturalist Abby on this one-mile stroll to the highest point in the park. If any of the aspens have changed, she will find them.

Peak View Salamander Search Hike
3:30 p.m. Meet at Elk Meadow Trailhead
Naturalist Jack will lead an easy 1.25-mile hike down to Peak View Pond to look for salamanders.

STAR PARTY
8 p.m. Meet at the Visitor Center
After the moon sets on Saturday, when the skies get dark, members of the Colorado Springs Astronomical Society will take guests on a tour of the heavens through their telescopes. Prepare for a fabulous viewing of the night sky. Bring a chair and blanket.

Sunday, Sept. 3

Tracks Table
9-11 a.m. Meet at Camper Services
Stop by the Camper Services building to investigate the many different tracks of animals in the park and even create your own track casting. Led by Naturalist Abby.

Monday, Sept. 4

Fly Fishing Clinic
10 a.m. Meet at Dragonfly Pond
Guests 8 years and older are invited to learn the basics of fly fishing with Volunteer Craig. All equipment is provided.

Tuesday, Sept. 5

Bird Walk
8:30 a.m. Meet at Elk Meadow Trailhead
Migrating birds and permanent residents have raised their young. Come see and hear the late summer birds on this 1.5-mile walk led by Volunteer Naturalist Michael.

Wednesday, Sept. 6

Owl Pellets
2 p.m. Meet at the Visitor Center
Join Naturalist Abby as we investigate the life of an owl.  Hands on and fascinating.

Friday, Sept. 8

All About Mining
7:30 p.m. Meet at Camper Services
Join Naturalist Jack as he explores the history of mining in Colorado. We’ll cover the early mining days, the gold rush and how mining shaped the state’s economy and culture. Hands on for kids.

Saturday, Sept. 9

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

Peak View Pond Micro-Hike 
2:30 p.m. Meet at Elk Meadow Trailhead
Naturalist Abby leads a two-mile hike to Peak View Pond, observing smaller elements in the landscape and ecology. Great for kids.

S’more Stories
7 p.m. Meet at the Amphitheater
Come gather around the campfire and listen to spooky stories with Naturalist Jack while enjoying S’mores.

Sunday, Sept. 10

Tracks Table
9-11 a.m. Meet at Camper Services
Stop by the Camper Services building to investigate the many different tracks of animals in the park and even create your own track casting. Led by Naturalist Abby.

Wednesday, Sept. 13

Cahill Leaf Peep Hike
9 a.m. Meet at Grouse Mountain Trailhead
Join Naturalist Abby on a moderate 2.5-mile hike back in time to the era of bootleggers and outlaws. Visit the cabin of the notorious Cahill brothers and check out the changing colors of the aspens.

Thursday, Sept. 14

Wapiti Guided Hike
9 a.m. Meet at Wapiti Trailhead
Join Volunteer Naturalist Michael for a one-mile natural history hike. Learn about the unique characteristics of the park. Look for wildflowers, birds, mushrooms and trees.

Elk Meadow Hike
3 p.m. Meet at Elk Meadow Trailhead
Enjoy beautiful views of Pikes Peak on the rolling hills, spot bluebirds and red-tailed hawks on this moderate two-mile hike with Naturalist Jack.

All About Bats
7 p.m. Meet at the Amphitheater
Bats are commonly misunderstood so Naturalist Jack will explain how they play a valuable role in ecosystems across Colorado.

Friday, Sept. 15

Outlook Ridge Hike
11 a.m. Meet at Outlook Ridge Trailhead
Join Naturalist Jack on an easy two-mile hike to the Raven Ridge Overlook. Along the way see gorgeous peaks and our slowly changing aspens.

Hug A Tree
2 p.m. Meet at Camper Services
Volunteer Naturalist Rusty teaches guests ages 5 and up basic survival in the woods.

Geology of Colorado
3 p.m. Meet at Camper Services
Join Naturalist Jack to investigate the rocks of the park and learn more about the formation of our beloved peaks.

Dark Sky Hike
8 p.m. Meet at Outlook Ridge Trailhead
Watch the night sky unfold on an easy one-mile hike with Volunteer Naturalist Jim. Learn how to find the north star, constellations and fun facts about the cosmos. Dress for cool weather and bring a headlamp.

Saturday, Sept. 16

Fly Fishing Clinic
10 a.m. Meet at Dragonfly Pond
Guests 8 years and older are invited to learn the basics of fly fishing with Volunteer Craig. All equipment is provided.

Ghosts of the Forest
7:30 p.m. At the Amphitheater
Naturalist Linda will talk about silently walking through the trees, how elk can be seen. Learn about the life of an elk to understand these beautiful animals. Dress warm.

Sunday, Sept. 17

Dynamite Cabin Hike 
9 a.m. Meet at Grouse Mountain Trailhead
Join Naturalist Abby on a moderate two-mile hike through the Mueller woods to Dynamite Cabin.

Wednesday, Sept. 20 

Leaf Pressing Art & The Science of Color
1 p.m. Meet at Visitor Center
Why do the leaves change in the fall? Join Naturalist Abby as we explore the life of an aspen and create leaf press art.

Thursday, Sept. 21 

Prowling Cats
7 p.m. Meet at Camper Services
What’s that prowling around? Come learn about the different big cats that are in the area and what to do if you see one. Welcome to all ages. Jackets are recommended for the cool evening air.

Friday, Sept. 22 

Grouse Mountain Guided Hike
2 p.m. Meet at Grouse Mountain Trailhead
Join Naturalist Jack on a one-mile nature hike to the highest point in the park with a beautiful overlook. See if moss really does grow on the north side of the tree.

Geology of Colorado
4:30 p.m. Meet at Camper Services
Join Naturalists Jack & Abby to investigate the rocks of the park and learn more about the formation of our beloved peaks.

Bees of Colorado
7:30 p.m. Meet at the amphitheater
Learn about the diversity of the insect pollinators of the Rocky Mountain Region. Guest speaker Ryan will highlight the origins, differences and preferences of the insects we see in our region. Ryan is a certified arborist, naturalist and plant pathologist and established the Colorado Native Bee group to spotlight the 950 native bee species in Colorado.

Saturday, Sept. 23

Cahill Leaf Peep Hike
9 a.m. Meet at School Pond Trailhead
Volunteer Naturalist Rose leads a 2.5-mile hike to search for fall colors along the trail with beautiful views of aspen stands and Pikes Peak.

Outlook Ridge Hike
2:30 p.m. Meet at Outlook Ridge Trailhead
Join Naturalists Jack and Abby on an easy two-mile hike to the Raven Ridge Overlook. Along the way see gorgeous peaks and our slowly changing aspens.

All About Mining
7 p.m. At the Amphitheater
Join Naturalist Jack as he explores the history of mining in Colorado. He’ll cover the early mining days, the gold rush, and how mining shaped the state’s economy and culture. Hands on for kids as well.

Sunday, Sept. 24

Leaf Pressing Art and The Science of Color
1 p.m.  Meet at Visitor Center
Why do the leaves change in the fall? Join Naturalist Abby as we explore the life of an aspen and create leaf press art.

Wednesday, Sept. 27

Grouse Mountain Guided Hike
9 a.m. Meet at Grouse Mountain Trailhead
General nature hike to the highest point in the park with a beautiful overlook. See if moss really does grow on the north side of the tree. Led by Volunteer Naturalist Michael.

Thursday, Sept. 28

Wapiti Leaves Hike
2:30 p.m. Meet at the Visitor Center
Join Naturalist Jack for a hike on Wapiti Nature Trail. Lookout for wildlife as you explore Mueller State Park’s ecosystems and get to see the sights that make Mueller wonderful. Around 1-mile .

All About Bats
7 p.m. Meet at the Amphitheater
Though commonly misunderstood, bats play a valuable role in ecosystems across Colorado and the world. Join Naturalist Jack to learn all about bats. Dress warm.

Friday, Sept. 29

Nature Crafts
2 p.m. Meet at Camper Services
Make a variety of crafts from Mother Nature, and take them home. Ages 3 and up. Led by Volunteer Naturalist Rusty.

Peak View Salamander Search Hike
3:30 p.m. Meet at Elk Meadow Trailhead
Join Naturalist Jack on an easy 1.25-mile hike down to Peak View Pond to look for salamanders.

S’more Stories
7 p.m. Meet at the Amphitheater
Come gather around the campfire and listen to spooky stories with Naturalist Jack while enjoying S’mores.

Saturday, Sept. 30

Cahill Hike
11 a.m. Meet at Grouse Mountain Trailhead
Join Naturalist Jack on a moderate 2.5-mile hike back in time to the era of bootleggers and outlaws. Visit the cabin of the notorious Cahill brothers and check out the changing colors of the aspens.

Geology of Colorado
4 p.m. Meet at Camper Services
Join Naturalist Jack to investigate the rocks of the park and learn more about the formation of our beloved peaks.                                 

Moon Hike
9 p.m. Meet at Outlook Ridge Trailhead
Watch the full moon rise over Pikes Peak. Learn fun facts about the night sky with Volunteer Naturalist Jim on this one-mile hike. Dress for cool weather and bring a headlamp.

Mueller events are free for any guest with a $10 day pass, a $29 Keep Colorado Wild annual pass, or an $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.