Castlewood Canyon 2023

The forecast last night called for a dusting of fresh snow.  I had a Thanksgiving meal to work off.  It had been more than 13 years since I visited Castlewood Canyon State Park.  Convergence! 

I tried to arrive in time for sunrise even knowing that the overcast skies would make seeing the sun unlikely.  Sure enough, no sun.  But the view at the Bridge Canyon Overlook seems like it could be awesome for sunrise on the right day.

I meandered up the Canyon View Nature Trail next, stopping periodically to look for good spots that didn't seem too slippery.

When I reached the Inner Canyon Trail I decided to head down to see what the views were like along Cherry Creek.

That turned out to be a good call.  The freshly fallen snow lent some added serenity to the scenery.

This trail is actually a lot of fun -- twists and turns, uphills and downhills, all fairly close to the creek.

I'd like to be optimistic for this bench that it was going to soon provide rest to some weary traveler.  Didn't seem likely on this chilly morning, though.

I turned around at the Lake Gulch Trailhead, stopping for one more shot at the edge of the creek ...

... and one "intimate" landscape.  Tiny tree!

There was not a lot of color to be found today, so the little splashes I saw really stood out.

On my first/last visit to Castlewood Canyon, I think the kids and I just hiked along the Creek Bottom Trail in the north end of the park.  It was great to see just how beautiful the south section is, too!

One steep but short ascent back up to the Canyon View Nature Trail, then a short walk back to the car, and my morning constitutional was done.  I didn't think to track my hike, because I really didn't expect to go for a "hike."  But however long I walked, it was totally worth it!

Related Link: Castlewood Canyon 2010