There are parts of Mueller State Park that are as busy a a shopping mall on a rainy weekend. And then there are part of Mueller that are like this: silent woods, secluded spots for sitting among rock formations, and fresh animal tracks on the snow-moistened trail.

To get there: From Colorado Springs, take U.S. Highway 24 to Divide; turn left (south) on Colorado Highway 67 and go four miles to Mueller’s front gate. Once in the park, follow road to Camper’s Services; park in the lot. About 50 minutes from Colorado Springs.

Hike: Turkey Cabin Overlook Trail, No. 28 on the numbered maps given out at the park’s front gate, takes hikers to one of the park’s many overlooks.

It begins at the visitor center high on Revenuer’s ridge, and winds up and down, around and through forests of blue spruce, Douglas fir, and ponderosa pine. Park at Camper’s Services and hike past the group campground to a metal cattle gate. Watch for the siamese twin aspen trees intertwined to your right, and head down and around on trail No. 13. On your left after a couple of turns you’ll see rounded rock formations striped like seersucker with mineral deposits of red, yellow, and green. As the trail winds in and out of the trees, you’ll catch glimpses of the gentle slopes of the backside of Pikes Peak to your left, and the bluish tops of the highest peaks in the Sangre de Cristo range to your right. Soon, you’ll intersect with trail No. 25 – Geer pond. Follow this trail for a short way until you meet No. 28. If you see a wooden bench before you see the trail marker, turn left – the marker was down on the ground when we were there. On the day we explored Turkey Cabin, we were the only people in the park, but we weren’t alone – we found fresh animal tracks in the mud, and majestic ravens swooped overhead. This trail ends at a rocky overlook high over Hay Creek. At this end, the overlook is marked by those curious mushrooms rocks so common in this part of the Pikes Peak Region.

Details: Watch for animal tracks in the snow and mud that becomes a frozen canvas. 

No dogs are allowed on trails at Mueller; this trail is open for hiking, biking, and horses; $4 fee charged at park’s front gate.

Trip Log: Turkey Cabin Overlook Trail at Mueller State Park, about four miles round trip; negligible altitude gain.