Independence 🏔️ Mountain & O’Fallon Views Hike

Let’s hike up Independence Mountain in Pence Park, then head over to O’Fallon Park for a nice loop hike, then up to a great panoramic viewpoint.

Difficulty: Moderate - about 7 miles with about 1,450 feet elevation gain.

HIKE DESCRIPTION: On this hike, we will first go into Pence Park and climb Independence Mountain, then hike into O’Fallon Park and do a loop trial along Meadow View and West Ridge trails, then up to a great panoramic viewpoint. The Independence Mountain trail is short, but sweet. It is a steep trail with good views into the Indian Peaks Wilderness, Denver, and the surrounding foothills. The West Ridge/Meadow View Loop in O’Fallon Park is a terrific hike exploring the southern portion of O'Fallon Park. The trail passes through pine and aspen forest with meadows offering nice views of the surrounding foothills and mountains. Here is a link to my self-made alltrails hike: https://www.alltrails.com/explore/map/map-november-27-2024-99e7e6c?u=i&sh=ittjkn

DOGS ALLOWED IF FOLLOW PARK RULES: Allowed on a leash. Please be sure your dog is well behaved and can handle the length of the walk. Dog owners must clean up pet excrement.

ADDRESS/DIRECTIONS: We will meet at the Pence Park trailhead. If you use Google Maps, you can type in “4400 Parmalee Gulch Road Parking” and it will take you to the parking area. If you use Apple Maps, type in “Pence Park Trail” for directions. You can also use the following alltrails link to get to the trailhead: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/colorado/independence-mountain-trail-at-pence-park?search=true

We wait 5 minutes for late arrivals…but no longer as that is inconsiderate to those arriving timely. So please allow extra time to get to the trailhead.

IMPORTANT: This is a participate at your own risk event! Life is risky. I am not a professional guide and am simply hosting this event. By signing up for this hike you acknowledge that you are capable of performing this hike and that you are solely responsible for your own safety.

NO SHOWS: If you are a no-show to 2 hikes, you will be booted from this meetup group. So please change your RSVP to “not going” if you are unable to make it.

WHAT YOU SHOULD BRING: Water, snacks, layers of clothing, good hiking shoes/boots, sunscreen, sunglasses, hat, gloves, hiking poles (if you find them helpful), and anything else you deem essential. ALSO BRING MICROSPIKES AS WE WILL LIKELY NEED THEM!

WEATHER: Here is the NOAA forecast for the hike location. For hourly temps, wind, precipitation, etc., click “Hourly Weather Forecast” in the upper right. https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=39.634430000000066&lon=-105.28609999999998

REQUIRED WAIVER: If you have not already done so, you must sign the updated waiver with our new meetup name prior to this hike. I will have copies at the trailhead that you can sign or you may print, sign, and bring it with you from the following website: https://www.dropbox.com/s/p728z28jjuwdzws/Waiver%20Corona.pdf?dl=0
If you choose to sign at the trailhead, please arrive early so that we can depart for the hike timely.