Mountain Park Environmental Center

Flora and Fauna

Pueblo Mountain Park

Pueblo Mountain Park is a 611-acre park located in the Wet Mountains, Colorado's southern foothills. The park's western
edge borders San Isabel National Forest. Pueblo Mountain Park is located in the Foothills (or Transition) Life Zone, ranging
in altitude from 6,600' to 7,400'. Typical of the Foothills Life Zone, the park is home to a wide diversity of flora and fauna.
Species common to both the lower elevation Semidesert Plains Life Zone (what you drive through to come to the park from
Pueblo) and the higher Montane Life Zone (San Isabel Lake is in this zone) are found in the park.

These species exist in ecosystems, or neighborhoods. An ecosystem can be defined as the biotic and abiotic (living and
non-living) components of a given area. There are several different ecosystems represented in the park. Generally,
ecosystems are named after the dominant plant species within the ecosystem. The Pueblo Mountain Park is a mosaic of
several ecosystems. The primary terrestrial, or land, ecosystems are:

Ponderosa Pine Probably the most prolific tree in the park, with several specimens well over 125 years in age. John Muir
was most fond of this tree, "Of all the pines, this one gives forth the finest music to the winds." The ponderosa pine's long
needles and burnt-orange bark are hard to miss. Ponderosa pine ecosystems generally occupy the areas adjacent to
most of the park roads, and the less steep sections of south-facing hillsides.

Douglas Fir The north-facing slopes in the park are usually in thick stands of Douglas fir trees. These forests are moist,
dark and cool; they will hold the snow much longer than south-facing areas of the park. White fir trees (commonly
mistaken as blue spruce) often grow along with Douglas firs.

Mountain Shrubland Gambel oak (often referred to as scrub oak) and mountain mahogany are the dominant trees, or
shrubs, in this relatively arid ecosystem. Typically found on the steeper south-facing slopes in the park. In spite of its dry
conditions, this ecosystem is home to a wide diversity of species.

Pinyon / Juniper The road from Pueblo to Beulah is bordered by many stands of open pinyon pine and juniper
woodlands, sometimes called "pygmy forests." The pinyon/ juniper ecosystem is minimally represented in the park. These
trees usually occur in drier areas, and often intermingle with the ponderosa and mountain shrubland ecosystems. Both
one-seeded and rocky mountain junipers are found in the park.

Trails of the Pueblo Mountain Park
(Click here for trail maps)

A great way to see the flora and fauna of Pueblo Mountain Park is to take a hike along one of the trails. There are
approximately six miles of trails in the park, open to foot and horse traffic only. National Forest trails can be accessed
through Pueblo Mountain Park, offering many more miles of trails.

Devil's Canyon Trail: Accessed from the trailhead just up the road from the ballpark, this trail is the most heavily used
trail in the park. The trail travels along a seasonal drainage called Devil's Dribble. Much of the trail is shaded, making it a
perfect summer afternoon hike.

Mace Trail: The trailhead is just up the road from the Devil's Canyon Trailhead. It climbs through most of the park's
terrestrial ecosystems. You can access Lookout Point via the Mace Trail.

Tower Trail: The Tower Trailhead is at the southern end of the Scenic Highway, the park's upper road. You can access
Camp Burch and USFS Trail #1321 (South Creek) via this trail, as well as loop into the Mace Trail. The fire tower is the
high point of the park at 7400.

Northridge Trail: The park's longest trail can be accessed at the Devil's Canyon Trailhead. This trail loops into the Mace
Trail and the upper part of the Devil's Canyon drainage. This trail provides access to USFS Trail #1384 (Squirrel Creek).

Northridge Trail: The park's longest trail can be accessed at the Devil's Canyon Trailhead. This trail loops into the Mace
Trail and the upper part of the Devil's Canyon drainage. This trail provides access to USFS Trail #1384 (Squirrel Creek).