Mueller State Park, site #35
We’re parked in site #35 along Conifer Ridge in Mueller State Park – one of our favorite State Parks. We last visited Mueller nearly 1 year ago to the date. Colorado Springs is less than an hour away, making camping reservations (especially with a group) a real challenge.
With friends in sites #30, #31 and #33, we’ve established a convenient group space along the mid-way point of Conifer Ridge. We like #35, it has a fairly level entry area, plenty of shaded space to the rear and offers a threaded water spigot across the road for any extra water needs. All though, site #34 is also very nice, with an awesome view towards Pikes Peak.
All sites along Conifer Ridge are electric (30A) only, with the water spigots scattered throughout the campgrounds and at the dump station. There are vault toilets in each of the 7 main camping areas, plus a large camper service building with hot showers and a laundry room. There is no apparent WiFi provided by the park, but up here along Conifer Ridge the T-Mobile signal is strong, and provides streaming quality hot spot access.
Mueller State Park, site #34
Mueller State Park, site #34
On Saturday, we visited Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument, located only about 12 miles further west near Florissant, CO. These fossil beds are the petrified remains of nearly 1700 species of insects and plants including huge sequoias that grew here around 35 million years ago on a warm, temperate, wet environment. Volcanic activity formed the perfect preservation environment for these specimens including the remaining huge sequoia trunks.
Florissant Fossel Beds – The “Big Stump”, 38 feet in circumference!
Florissant Fossel Beds – Giant Sequoia
After 5 nights at Mueller, we’re headed west to South Fork, CO. We were last in this area in July when we stayed just 10 miles further west outside of Creede. We’re in site #26 at the South Fork Campground, along the banks of the Rio Grande in a quiet grove of cottonwood trees. There are about 50 sites here, many are carved out between trees along the perimeter and the central pull-throughs that we’re in. Best sites here would be the back-ins from 8-16 and most any of the riverside sites. The park offers a small store, propane refills, a dump station, several single tent sites and a group tent area. WiFi is strong, and the free service provided streamable speeds while we were here.
South Fork Campground
South Fork Campground, River Site
South Fork Campground, Site #11
South Fork Campground, Site #26
From South Fork we’ll continue west, over Wolf Creek Pass to Lightner Creek Campground outside of Durango. More from there…
Small Home - Big Yard 