Hike Panorama Point at Corwina Park

Jefferson County, the "Gateway to the Rockies" has dozens of great parks and trails. One of the best, however, is often overlooked, as it is sandwiched between bigger and more popular parks. Corwina Park is a small section located off Hwy. 74, near the village of Kittredge. Sitting between the popular (and overcrowded) Lair o' the Bear and O'Fallon Parks, Corwina offers a great little day hike with an impressive view of Mount Evans from Panorama Point.

The parking area for Corwina can be easy to miss—it looks like someone's driveway. Follow the directions from the location marked on this site, and you should find it easily enough. If the parking lot happens to be full, there is limited roadside parking along Hwy. 74.

This short-but-sweet trail follows a seasonal stream uphill until it joins with the Bear Creek Trail. (BCT is a popular and heavily used multi-use trail that runs through Lair o' the Bear, Corwina, O'Fallon, and Pence Parks.) Hang a left on BCT and follow it a short ways until you see another trail going off to the right, with the sign for Panorama Point.

This is the steepest part of the trail, and is about 1/2 mile from BCT to Panorama Point. There is no marking indicating Panorama Point, but you will know you've reached it when you can see Mount Evans and the village of Kittredge laid out below. The outcropping of boulders makes a great resting and picnic place.

You can return the way you came, or continue along an unofficial trail which will take you back to a different point along BCT. Whichever way you choose, go left on BCT and continue back the way you came.

For a longer hike, park at the parking area further east on Hwy. 74, cross the road to a small pullout area a little further on, and follow that trail down to the start point of BCT. (You should cross a creek; this is at the western-most edge of Lair o' the Bear.) Follow BCT up the mountain until you see the Panorama Point spur (this time to your left). If you go this route, the hike is about 5 miles round-trip.

Caution: Bear Creek Trail is FULL of bikes! Be careful to keep control of your pets if you use this trail.

If you're feeling a little peckish after your hike, the nearby mountain communities of Kittredge, Morrison, and Evergreen offer great restaurants and unique shopping experiences. Stop in at the Bear Creek Café in Kittredge for lunch or dinner, or try out Little Bear or Cactus Jack's in Evergreen for even more good eats.