Colorado’s Mueller State Park’s Upcoming Interpretive Programs
OutdoorHub 08.13.12
Come enjoy summer at Mueller State Park at one of the following guided hikes and programs! Break out of the office and get the kids outside before school resumes. Enjoy the fresh mountain air and sunshine as you learn about local biology, history and geology. When hiking, always bring water, sun and rain protection and dress in warm layers.
All of the offered programs are free, but you must have a $7 daily pass or a $70 annual pass to enter the park. For weather updates or for more information, call Mueller State Park at 719-687-2366.
Mueller’s Senior Citizens Touch Table
Date: 8/19/2012
Time: 2 – 3:30 p.m.
Location: Mueller State Park Visitor Center
How old are the trees of Mueller State Park? Which type of tree makes good lumber or good homes for birds? Interpretive naturalist Russ Frisinger will help you identify the trees of Mueller as well as where to find them. Stop by anytime.
BLT
Date: 8/19/2012
Time: 8 p.m.
Location: Mueller State Park Amphitheater
Beetles, Ladder (fuels), and Thinning (BLT) is an entertaining introduction to forest management around our homes and here in the park. Few have laid eyes on the beetle that destroys the Rocky Mountain forests. See one of the little critters and find out what makes a forest healthy. Also, hear what interpretive naturalist Russ Frisinger suggests for your trees at home. Dress warmly.
Buffalo Rock Hike
Date: 8/20/2012
Time: 9 a.m.
Location: Mueller State Park / Grouse Mountain Trailhead
Join volunteer naturalist Nancy Remmler on this seldom hiked but beautiful three-mile trail. Enjoy a hike though aspen and pine forest, meadow and even see the Cheesman Ranch. Bring sturdy shoes, layered clothing, rain and sun protection, water and snacks.
Lost Still Hike
Date: 8/20/2012
Time: 2 p.m.
Location: Mueller State Park / Grouse Mountain Trailhead
Get to know the dark side of Mueller State Park’s history as you take a look at the pit where those notorious Cahill brothers made their moonshine. Interpretive naturalist Russ Frisinger will lead the way and share stories of old. Bring sturdy shoes with good tread, layered clothing, rain and sun protection, water and snacks.
War in the Park
Date: 8/20/2012
Time: 8 p.m.
Location: Mueller State Park Amphitheater
Interpretive naturalist Russ Frisinger has found so many species eating or living off one another that it became obvious that the forest is at war! Ponds teem with critters fighting for survival and butterflies feast on elk carcasses. Learn just how brutal the Mueller State Park food chain can be. Dress warmly.
Pond Hike
Date: 8/22/2012
Time: 9 a.m.
Location: Mueller State Park Visitor Center
If you like ponds, then this is the hike for you! Explore four ponds with volunteer naturalists Carole Larkey and Penny Edyvean as you hike through a variety of vistas on this five-mile trail. Bring sturdy shoes, rain and sun protection, layered clothing, water and snacks.
North American Bears
Date: 8/22/2012
Time: 8 p.m.
Where: Mueller State Park Amphitheater
Welcome to bear country! Volunteer naturalist Scott Davis will be presenting an informative slide presentation on the bears of North America while sharing his experiences in Alaska. Learn the differences between a polar bear, black bear and grizzly bear.
Dynamite Cabin Hike
Date: 8/23/2012
Time: 9 a.m.
Location: Mueller State Park / Grouse Mountain Trailhead
Savor the immense variety of wildflowers, trees, and wildlife as you hike the Dynamite Cabin Trail with interpretive naturalist Norma Elliott. On the way back, visitors have the option of taking a short climb to the top of the highest point in the park, Grouse Mountain. Both trails are rated easy to moderate. Bring sturdy shoes, rain and sun protection, layered clothing, water and snacks.
Hike to Nobel Cabin
Date: 8/24/2012
Time: 9 a.m.
Location: Mueller State Park / Black Bear Trailhead
Join volunteer naturalist Penny Edyvean on a four-mile hike to Nobel Cabin. Imagine what it was like to attempt to homestead this area without modern amenities while learning about some of Mueller State Park’s early residents. Bring sturdy shoes, layered clothing, rain and sun protection, water and snacks.
Scat and Tracks Touch Table
Date: 8/24/2012
Time: 2 – 3:30 p.m.
Location: Mueller State Park Visitor Center
Come and see what our animal friends leave behind! Learn how to identify their tracks and droppings. Interpretive naturalist Norma Elliott will show the different poops and paw prints for the animals of Mueller State Park. You can even make your own track identification card. Stop by anytime.
Ice Age in Colorado
Date: 8/24/2012
Time: 8 p.m.
Location: Mueller State Park Amphitheater
What was the Ice Age really like? What caused it and what affect did it have on the environment? What’s next? Join volunteer naturalist Paul Combs for an enlightening presentation about the Ice Age in Colorado. Dress warmly.
Geology Hike: Rock Pond
Date: 8/25/2012
Time: 9 a.m.
Location: Mueller State Park / Rock Pond Trailhead
Join volunteer naturalist Bob Hickey for a family fun outing hiking and exploring the geology of Rock Pond Trail. Bob will fascinate you with a study of some of the outstanding rock outcroppings on this trail. Bring sturdy shoes with good tread, layered clothing, rain and sun protection, water and snacks.
Volcanic Rocks Touch Table
Date: 8/25/2012
Time: 1 – 3 p.m.
Location: Mueller State Park Visitor Center
View, feel, touch, and identify rocks from around this region. In addition, there will be special specimens of volcanic rock. Check out the hands-on samples and learn about local geology with volunteer naturalist Bob Hickey. Bring your favorite rock to show Bob. Stop by anytime.
Birds of Muller State Park
Date: 8/25/2012
Time: 8 p.m.
Location: Mueller State Park Amphitheater
What type of bird is that? Is it a robin or a kestrel falcon? Learn about the common birds found in urban settings, as well as the forests, of the Front Range. Join guest speaker Paul Combs for an interesting slide presentation on our diverse variety of birds. Dress warmly.
