On a slightly warmer December morning, I set out for something I hadn’t yet done in Colorado: a short hike before a night shift at work. The route I ultimately […]
On a slightly warmer December morning, I set out for something I hadn’t yet done in Colorado: a short hike before a night shift at work. The route I ultimately settled on was hardly a strenuous hike, with very little elevation change, but it was still a great nature walk tucked away just 30 minutes from my apartment in the Denver Tech Center.
Heading West just past Chatfield Reservoir in Littleton (very close to the Plymouth Mountain Trail at Deer Creek Canyon Park hike I did in August) brought me to the South Valley Park, Deer Creek Canyon, Ken Caryl region. I initially identified the “Cathy Johnson Trail,” but with no official parking lot, headed a little but further up the road. On my right emerged the parking lot for the South Valley Park – South Trailhead, part of the Jefferson County Open Space system.
I settled in here for a generally leisurely hike. I took my time as I parked my car to sip some more coffee, instead of chugging it as I’m used to, while I took in the scenic views the trailhead parking lot already had to offer.
Again, while this hike wasn’t exactly a challenge, it was one thing: extremely photogenic. Each section of the trail offered new and unique views, and one of the coolest things about taking pictures on this trail is the number of angles and perspectives available. See a cool rock formation in the distance? Chances are the trail wraps towards it or even around it, offering multiple vantage points of the same scenery. There is no one perfect place to take a picture of that rock formation, or the rolling hills to the West: you decide when it’s most appropriate to snap a picture.
Or, if you’re like me, just take too many pictures. Clocking in at exactly 3.0 miles in a little over an hour, I didn’t expect to take as many pictures as I did. But again, the trails here were extremely photogenic (especially with a fresh coat of snow): I would highly recommend the area to aspiring photographers, Instagram-type photographers, and nature lovers/walk lovers all the same.
As usual with these kind of hiking photo galleries, I’ll let the pictures do the majority of the talking, popping in for minimal commentary along the way. If you like this article, be sure to check out my other hiking photo galleries as I continue to explore Colorado!
South Valley Park and Coyote Song Trail in Littleton, CO
Probably should be my last hike in these Nike trail runners, which have seen two 14ers.
Just minutes off the highway, the South Valley Park – South Trailhead Parking Lot already feels like being in nature.
Getting some last-minute coffee sips in while the morning sun begins to warm the day from the 40’s to the high 50’s.
Starting on the trail. It snowed on Friday, and the trail still retained it in some spots. Spots like these were actually fine, with the snow pretty packed in and easy to walk on top of, but the slushy parts later in the trail were the real challenge.
The trail quickly became the Coyote Song Trail as it straddled the exposed rocks to the right.
The sky just felt extra blue and open, on a day that visually said December but offered a decent temperature and sunshine.
On the bottom of the picture, some of the slush I mentioned. On the top of the picture, angled red rocks beginning to poke out.
I thought this rock formation looked kind of like a grumpy man.
The trail split here, with Coyote Song continuing on the right, on higher grounds, and the Prairie Falcon beginning on the left, slightly lower. By taking the short Prairie Falcon Trail to the Swallow Trail to the North Parking Lot and taking the Coyote Song Trail back, it was a natural three-mile loop with varied sights.
Approaching what appears to be a minefield of red rocks.
After the short Prairie Falcon Trail, the Swallow Trail began.
An “island” in the snowy field.
A well-placed bench for slowing it down and taking in some scenic views.
We’re not in Utah, but that’s definitely an arch/window in the red rocks!
Another view at that naturally-occurring “island” in the middle of the snowy field. Like I said in the introduction, this trail was all about offering multiple perspectives of the same objects.
Believe those are Lockheed Martin buildings in the distance: a sign for the company’s buildings was visible from the South Trail Parking Lot.
I think I can see why this is called the Swallow Trail: the rock formation second in from the left definitely resembles a bird of sorts.
My lop-sided attempt at capturing this amazing panoramic view.
A small lake near the end of the Swallow Trail, near the North Parking Lot.
Slush slush slush.
Looking back at the lake with the mountains as a backdrop now, just wow.
Up at the North Parking Lot, bigger than its Southern counterpart and also featuring some picnic areas.
Down the Coyote Song Trail, back to the fork, and back to the Southern Parking Lot: that’s the plan.
Slush turns to straight-up mud here.
And we’re back at the parking lot!
End of Hike
Shout out to today’s post-hike meal from Tropical Smoothie Cafe: a peanut butter banana protein smoothie and a peanut butter banana granola and honey warmed wrap.
3.0 miles, just over an hour. Easily could’ve finished this hike in under an hour, if I had to for some reason (like oh I don’t know the time constraints of work, which still called me in early even though I thought I had plenty of time after the hike to relax.)
Don’t let the scale fool you: this hike never got very steeped though a bit of up-and-down was noticeable, real elevation was never gained, it wasn’t like hiking a mountain.
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