Sugarite Canyon State Park, Opportunity Trail

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Bob W

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Dec 31, 2000
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Took my seven-year-old kid on his longest hike yet, the Opportunity Trail at Sugarite Canyon State Park. I didn't check mileage, but the trail must be about six miles around the entire loop. A couple of years ago the entire area was heavily impacted by a forest fire, which is evident in these pictures, but since then it's been transforming itself into a wildflower showroom.

There are no pictures from the second half of the hike, because we were being pummeled by rain with a fantastic mountain lightning storm booming all around us. Thunderstorms in the mountains are awesome, if you've never experienced it.

This was one of the only times I've hiked in the park lately and not seen a bear. But we did see the resident Great Blue Heron, the bald eagle, and a couple of deer.













 
Recently Sugarite Canyon was selected as one of the top ten state parks in the country. Is there any wonder why?













 
Wow, photobucket is really butchering the pictures. Worse than ever. And no, it's not the camera. :grumpy:
 
Thanks for sharing. Hope you had some rain gear with you.

I remember my Dad and Uncle taking my brother and I on what I believed to be a really long hike when I was about 6 or so. I know I wasn't in school yet. Anyway, Dad ended up carrying me on his shoulders a good part of the hike. Little guys simply can't keep up with long legged adults or not yet.

The comment about it being one of the top ten state parks in the country prompted me to do some web searches. Seems there is quite a bit of diversity in park choices. But I learned of some places I had never heard of. Here is a link that includes Sugerite Canyon SP. http://www.campinglife.com/camping-destinations/top-10-state-parks/

Might make an interesting thread topic.
 
It's a small piece of land by western standards, only 3,600 acres. But very little of it is developed. Most of the daily visitors are interested in the trout fishing lake, But there are also historic mining ruins, a ghost town, two camp grounds, miles of trails, and plenty of opportunity for off-trail exploring. Additionally, adjacent to the State Park are two Colorado Wildlife areas totaling 12,000 additional acres. Took a bit of work a few years back to keep the Texans from turning the area into a natural gas field, but the effort was well worth it.

I've posted a few other hikes from the same area:
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1100439-Bobbler-s-Knob-failed-summit-attempt
We may try that one again today. My kid turns into a demon if he doesn't get plenty of fresh air and exercise. Even if I have to drag him screaming away from his computer games... He always fights going, but then has a blast. Every time. :confused:
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/982461-Bobbler-s-Knob
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/911249-Snow-hike-aborted-on-account-of-snow
 
shame all the trails around my area are all quite similar with the exception with one or two
 
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