Hiking – Pretty 5-mile hike from Allenspark along Rock Creek through forest, meadows and mining ruins to Fox Creek and the box canyon "Grotto" waterfall.

There are two meeting locations, depending upon where you come from:  1) JAX parking lot (SE edge), 2665 W. Eisenhower Blvd, Loveland at 7:30 am to carpool to the Estes Park Visitor Center, OR 2) Estes Park Visitor Center, 500 Big Thompson Ave. (far NE corner of parking lot off of Hwy. 34) at 8:15 am.  From here, we will carpool 20 minutes south on Hwy. 7 to Allenspark.

We will enjoy a pretty fall 5 mile, 750' gain loop hike along refreshing Rock Creek through forest, meadows, and mining ruins until we reach Fox Creek and the "Grotto" box canyon waterfall.  Here we will have our lunch before ascending along Fox Creek to our TH.  There are great views of Longs Peak, and we will pass what is possibly the largest Ponderosa pine tree on the Front Range.  We will watch for wildlife such as mountain goats, moose, and elk while delighting in the fall colors during this special time of year.