Allens Park Trail

The first problem with this pleasant alternative route into Wild Basin is figuring out whether Allens Park or Allenspark is the correct name. The first is the USGS spelling; the second is the US Postal Service spelling. This problem is best solved by ignoring it.

The trailhead itself is also a bit confusing because the parking is on private land dedicated as open space in a residential subdivision. The sign marking the trailhead is in the national park. If the rather small parking lot is full, do not park anywhere that blocks driveways or access to the subdivision water system.

To reach the trailhead, leave CO 7 on Business CO 7 (Wash­ington Street) into the town of Allenspark (spelled as one word because this street goes to the post office). A block from the highway, turn right on unpaved CR 90. After 0.7 mile bear left uphill on South Skinner Road. Drive 0.6 mile and turn right uphill onto Meadow Mountain Drive for a few yards to the Allens Park Trail parking on the right.

The Allens Park Trail leads to two main destinations in Wild Basin. It meets the Ouzel Falls trail system (see page 119) at Calypso Cascades 3.0 miles from the Allens Park Trailhead. This is 1.2 miles farther than the Ouzel Falls Trail, but it is less crowded. Although it lacks the streamside views of the Ouzel Falls Trail, the Allens Park Trail offers more spectacular mountain vistas opened by the 1978 forest fire. The same fire improved the habitat for mule deer, which are more common along the Allens Park Trail than on the Ouzel Falls Trail below Calypso Cascades.

The Allens Park Trail also intersects the Finch Lake trail system at Confusion Junction (see page 134). Beginning at the Allens Park Trailhead makes for a shorter and easier hike to Finch, Pear, and Hutcheson Lakes via this meeting of trails with its mysterious power to befuddle hikers. (Allens Park Trailhead is 1.6 miles from Confusion Junction; Finch Lake Trailhead is 2.3 miles from the junction.)