A hike in the park

The park terrain except for the hogback is flat averaging 6425 feet of elevation. The hogback on the park north boundary gains 40 feet of elevation in the west and increased to 140 of elevation in the east. Much of the park ground cover is prairie and juniper prickly with scattered candelabra cholla. The park woodlands are primarily juniper and piñon. Exotic woodlands are cottonwood and Russian olive. The area west of Horseshoe Lake is partially marsh land with cattails and bulrush.

Welcome to Lathrop State Park. We want you to have a good time walking our trails and hiking our terrain through grass, trees, cactus and rocks that may require using your hands seeking your geocache. Be aware that there are rattlesnakes in Lathrop State Park. Specific geocaches inform you of terrain that is more that a casual walk. Most individual geocache description lists a parking lot where you can start your walk, and that gives you time to see what this park is about as you seek your goal. Do not forget to enjoy the view of the mountains on the horizon.

Lathrop State Park, while sitting in the shadows of the Spanish Peaks, has the honor of being Colorado’s 1st State Park and covers 1594 acres. One of the main features of the park is its two lakes; Martin Lake covers about 180 surface acres while Horseshoe Lake has about 150 surface-acres. Both host a wide range of water activities.

Lathrop State Park is 3 miles west of Walsenburg via US Hwy. 160. Entrance to Lathrop State Park in Walsenburg, CO requires a park pass that can be purchased at the visitor center for display on your vehicle windshield. There is also a self-serving station near the park entrance.

Two types of passes are available: A daily Pass is valid from the day purchased until noon the following day. An Annual Pass is valid at any state park recreation area for the calendar year. Colorado disabled veterans displaying Colorado Disabled Veteran (DV) license plates are admitted free without a pass.

Begin on Memorial Day weekend and ending on Labor Day weekend, each Friday and Saturday and Sundays’ during the 3-day holiday weekend a different illustrated or talks and props presentation is offered at the amphitheater. History, geology, and wildlife of the area are just some of the many programs presented.

Lathrop’s picnic areas, which received an outdoor recreation award for America’s Top 15 Picnic Areas, are situated around both Martin Lake and Horseshoe Reservoir. Each table sits lakeside or a short distance among the trees, has a stand up fire grill, and most tables are shaded. Picnic tables are first-come, first serve basis. Be aware that there are rattlesnakes in the park.

The Hogback Trail was built in 2000 – 2001 using park personnel, Youth Conservation Corp, and many volunteers. Eight wooden posts numbered 1 through 8 were installed along the trail. A paved parking lot was built the same time that the Hogback Trail was being built.

The 2 mile hikers-only Hogback Trail makes a great nature walk. At the trailhead a sign with information, a map of the Hogback Trail, and a container holding brochures explains what the eight sign posts indicated. This gives visitors the opportunity a chance to learn something about Lathrop State Park and meanings to what they see and experienced. The visitor center also has the Hogback Trail brochure.

The trail winds through mudstone and silt mixture on the flats, the sandstone formations and then climbs up the rocky Hogback Ridge that is mostly basalt. Basalt is cooled lava that formed a solid dike that weathering and erosion make today what is called the Hogback. As the trail follows the top of the ridge, majestic views of the Spanish Peaks, Sangre de Cristos with Trinchera Peak the highest, Mt Maestas, Rough Mt, in the distance the Crestone Group of the Sangre de Cristos, Greenhorn peak and the Wet Mountain Range, and in the distance is Pikes Peak that can be enjoyed.

The Hogback Trail is an easy hike, but there are locations on the trail that are not a “hands in pocket” hike. Near the top of the hogback and several feet below are a few basalt ledges that are about 2 feet high where the hiker needs to use a hand or two to ascend or descend the trail. There are also some small basalt boulders near the top that form unstable stair-steps.

Near sign #2 on the Hogback Trail is a stone bench with the name James P Horn and a graphic engraved into the stone. Mr. Horn was a fisherman who spent many hours and days enjoying fishing Horseshoe Lake and Martin Lake in Lathrop State Park. His family requested from Lathrop State Park for the opportunity to establish a bench for him in the park.