Matthews/Winters Park

Park Map | Trail Profiles | Park History | Find Park Management Plan 

"Where the past, present and future unfold before you."
-Kathy Probeck, Conifer

Matthews/Winters Park and the adjacent Hogback provide a haven for wildlife viewing and hiking.  This is also a popular mountain biking destination. Please be aware that parking is limited particularly during the late afternoon/early evening hours and weekends.

The hogback dramatically separates the mountains and the plains with it's twisted folds of geologic history.  On the eastern face of the Hogback dinosaur imprints are interpreted by the Dinosaur Ridge Visitor Center.  Trail connections through Denver's Red Rocks Park extend the park south to Bear Creek Canyon.

History
This park evolved with the Open Space program.  The first Open Space purchase in 1973 consisted of 68 acres of the Hogback.  In 1976, Open Space purchased 510 acres to be known as Winters Park from Dr. William Winters, a California physician.  Nicholas Matthews owned adjacent lands to Winters Park and through a series of purchases and donations, 357 acres were acquired in 1982 and formed Matthews/Winters Park.

Additional purchases of property from the Bear Creek Development Corporation connected Matthews/Winters to Denver's Red Rocks Park and now extends as far south as Bear Creek Canyon.

Matthews/Winters Park derives its importance from its location at a major entrance to the Rocky Mountains. The park lies astride the entrance to Mount Vernon Canyon, which was one of the early routes to the gold fields of Central City (then known as the Gregory Diggings) and South Park. Other canyons were also used, and at each portal a town was founded to try to get a share of the quick fortune the "Fifty-miners" were  scrambling to uncover. Golden City was founded at Clear Creek, Apex City at Amos (now Apex) Gulch, Golden Gate City at Tucker Gulch, and Morrison at Bear Creek. Here at Mount Vernon Canyon, the town of Mount Vernon was founded.

The fortunes of these boom towns waxed and waned under the impact of the Civil War, drought, floods, Indian raids and depressions. Although the Mount Vernon route has been used almost continuously as a roadway the town lost out in the struggle to survive as a city.

Even now the features that attracted our pioneer fathers to this spot are evident to the park visitor. The Hogback forms an interesting barrier just to the east of the town. To the west, the foothills begin their rise to the majesty of the front range. Upon climbing these slopes, you can look back over the Hogback for a sweeping vista of the plains. In the valley between, Mount Vernon Creek winds its way through clumps of wildflowers, chokecherries, willows and wild plums. It is easy to see how one could hope to build a future in such a place. The public parking area is located off of Colorado Highway 26, just south of 1-70, and lies within the platted Mount Vernon town site.

An interpretive trail of about one mile points out many interesting reminders of:

Mount Vernon Town
The Town of Mount Vernon was founded in 1859 by Dr. Joseph Casto, a lay preacher and land promoter who came from Ohio to make his fortune in the gold rush. He reportedly grub staked John H. Gregory on his prospect in Gregory Gulch, and is credited with discovering the famous Casto lode near Central City. Casto hoped Mount Vernon would become a supply town along the mining route, so he advertised in the Rocky Mountain News and the Golden Mountaineer that lots were available at no cost to those who would build upon them. By January 1860, Mount Vernon could boast 44 registered voters.

Though short-lived, the town played an important role in Colorado's formation. The residents of this outpost were citizens of Kansas Territory, but the remoteness created a need for a more immediate form of government. Thus, the formation of Jefferson Territory, with Mount Vernon as its capital, filled an important gap.

The town was the home site of R.W. Steele, governor of the provisional Territory of Jefferson, 1859-1860, from which the Territory of Colorado was created February 26, 1861. When newly appointed Governor William Gilpin arrived, Steele stepped down to pursue his own interests into obscurity. The same fate befell Mount Vernon when Colorado's political and economic hub shifted to Denver.

Hogback
Across Highway 26 from Matthews/Winters Park lies the Hogback. The Hogback is a fascinating book of geological history to those who can read the story in its twisted folds. Here, the rocks of the past millennia have been tilted on edge as the Rocky Mountains have pushed their way out of the earth.

Getting There
From I-70 or U.S. Highway 40, go south on Colorado Highway 26 approximately 0.1 mile and turn at the park entrance.  You may access the Hogback and Dakota Ridge Trail from the parking area.

---

It is your responsibility to know and obey Open Space rules and regulations.  Users assume liability for all risks associated with visiting this Open Space area.  Responsible use protects this resource for all citizens of Jefferson County.

Last Modified: Jun 8, 2009 11:33 AM