Hiking with hot takes, castle ruins, and just enough sweat to feel something
Mount Falcon is that friend who shows up chill but has ✨layers✨. Located just outside of Morrison (read: Red Rocks-adjacent), it’s got forest tunnels, old-timey ruins, sweeping foothill views, and trails that give just enough of a glute workout to feel earned—but not so much that you regret saying yes.
If you’re looking for a quick escape from the doom scroll and a trail that mixes scenery with low-key historical gossip, this is your hike.
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What’s the Vibe?
Mount Falcon’s giving “Colorado starter pack,” but like, in a good way. You’ve got castle ruins. Old fire watch towers. Views that slap. And a trail system that feels very choose your own intensity level.
Whether you’re in your main character forest era or just trying to walk off the cold brew jitters, this place delivers.
Choose Your Hiker Identity:
🧱 Castle Trail (East Entrance)
Start from Morrison and hike your way to actual ruins. Like, real stone foundations from the 1900s when some guy tried to build a presidential retreat here. It’s uphill but doable. You’ll sweat, but in a fun, “look at me being healthy” way.
🪞Walker’s Dream Overlook
Views for days. It’s the ultimate reward moment: look out over Red Rocks, the Denver skyline, and the whole damn Front Range. Good spot to eat a sandwich and reflect on your exes.
🌲 Parmalee Loop
Shaded, flowy, and perfect for trail running, meandering, or catching up on life tea with your hiking bestie. Less dramatic than the Castle Trail, but she’s still serving pine goddess energy.
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Things You Will Say Out Loud:
• “Wait, why are there ruins here?”
• “Do you think Red Rocks looks small from up here, or are we giants now?”
• “We should totally hike more.”
• “Is that thunder or just Colorado being dramatic again?”
Pack It Up
• Trail snacks that double as personality traits (cheddar bunnies? iconic.)
• Water. Like, actual water—not just a Stanley Cup filled with ambition
• Sunscreen, sunglasses, and delusion-level confidence
• Optional picnic setup if you’re entering your mountain picnic era
• Your phone for castle selfies (service is iffy, post later)
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Bonus Chaos:
• 🏰 Ruins with “haunted but cool” energy
• 🐍 Occasional snake, occasional mountain biker, occasional spiritual awakening
• 🐦 Turkey vultures circling but like… in a supportive way
• 🌩️ Afternoon storms with the drama of a Love Island finale
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SO BASICALLY:
Mount Falcon is perfect when you want a little effort, a lot of payoff, and just enough historical weirdness
to keep things interesting. You’ll hike through pines, peep castle ruins, stare dramatically at the horizon, and possibly enter your nature-romantic era without needing to summit a 14er. And did I mention it is one of the best spots to snap family photos? Well…now I did.
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🎒 Hike it. Snack it. Reflect on your life like you’re the protagonist of a forest-based coming-of-age film.
Learn more about the 2,252 acre park HERE.
