First weekend of fall spent in the foothills

Today we decided to take a quick 20 minute drive to White Ranch Park in Golden. We have never ventured this way so it was certainly exciting to see a new hiking area.

Our intention was to hike Sawmill Trail which is about 2.9 miles, but we couldn't find it so we just took the Belcher Hill Trail. We came across Rawhide trail and checked the map and said head south it may get us to the trail we want. Wouldn't you know it, we ran into another parking lot, the main parking lot and sure enough across the street was the trail we meant to take. It was too late at this point because Pea was ready to head home.

But we were able to see some nice old farming tools and such that she seemed to enjoy. It was a nice little location for the family and there are over 20 miles of land/trails here that we will certainly be looking into.


The ground and rocks all around where shimmering like there was gold in them thar hills.


We just came out of the trees to open fields of pasture. Pea was running ahead of us too.


Along the hike we came across this BIG grasshopper.


Pea had her Harms meltdown at this point on how she could not go any more. But I have learned along our hikes how to get her moving.


Bribe her with anything chocolate.


I just needed her to make it to the top of that hill where daddy and Bruin where waiting.


I bet in spring time it is very green up here. Will have to come up here next May to see.


There she goes...motorin!



When we got to the top of the hill, we saw that parking lot I mentioned and many signs explaining where we were and the history of the land.

This is what one sign said before we headed on to see all the old farm tools.

Nomadic Ute and Arapaho tribes camped and hunted on this land. In 1865, Welch immigrant James Bond and his wife Mary were headed to California. They settled on this land after their young son was killed under the wheels of their wagon. Their home still stands within the park. By 1913, Paul and Anna Lee White purchased a portion of the land. Through the years and with additional acquisitions of land, the family operated a commercial Hereford cattle ranch until 1969. The park was acquired through a substantial gift by Anna Lee White and by Open Space purchase. White Ranch was dedicated to the memory of Paul White in 1975.

The next 6 pictures are of just some of the farming tools they used on the land.







Our Pea - she really is a happy child, but there is that scowl.


On she goes to follow her daddy.


We never made it down to see more signs. I would've loved to have known more about the barn in the picture and how they went from there to where we were farming and such. Must have been hard.


You can see Denver in the distance.


Wish there were horses in there for Pea to touch.


Ah well she found herself a nice big piece of...mushroom?


She had to rip it apart of course.


Look at me. She is so pretty.


She just thought this was the best thing since sliced bread.


Love our sweet Pea!


Where was our lil man you may be wondering. Well he had board breaking last night and than had another class this morning so he was pretty tired and opted to stay home.

Hope you are all enjoying your first weekend of fall as much as we are.