Hiking – Newlin Creek

Hike the Newlin Creek trail in Florence Mountain Park to discover the unique historical remains of the 1887 Herrick Sawmill. The hike follows Newlin Creek up the canyon with multiple stream crossings and views of cascading waterfalls over beautiful rock formations. The trail starts off flat passing a beaver pond and then starts a steady moderately challenging ascent that includes hiking on or over large rocks & small boulders.  Although the trail ascends to the top of a ridge, we only will follow it up to the remains of an old cabin and then return to the remains of the old sawmill for lunch. The distance of the hike is 6.5 miles with a 1600’ gain.

The park’s entrance at the caretaker’s home can be accessible by 2-wheel drive vehicles but given the recent rains and chances of water damage to the road an AWD with good ground clearance is preferable. We will park at the lot across from the caretaker's home as the upper parking lot at the trailhead has some areas in the dirt road requiring higher clearance 4-wheel drive.

Due to risk of an afternoon thunderstorm, Pueblo participants will meet at the Southeast corner of Albertson's Parking lot at 1601 Hwy 50, Pueblo, 81008 for a 7:00 am departure and Colorado Springs hikers will meet in the parking lot of the Blue Heron Park off of CO-115 in Penrose, CO 81240 for a 7:30 am departure. The hike starts at the trailhead.