The Chatfield Botanic Gardens may be best known for its fall corn maze or its summer flowers, but it's a peaceful place to visit in the Winter.
After a stop at the Visitor's Center for a map (directions below), backtrack down the main road a few feet and turn toward the historic farm. The first home on the left was Frank Hildebrand's original, single-log cabin built in the 1860's. From the outside, you see a four room home. That's because Frank added a kitchen, a bedroom and a main room. Don't worry, inside you'll see where a piece of the wall has been cut out so visitors can view one of the original log cabin's walls. As you walk around the rooms, imagine living here in the 1800s. Back then, this farm was pretty far from Littleton, the closest town.
Frank and Elizabeth Hildebrand, both natives of Germany, came to America as children, met and married. Frank was a farmer, a freighter and a miner. It's believed Frank homesteaded in this area, though a county record book shows Hildebrand bought the land in 1866. Either way, the Hildebrands farmed here and raised cattle and poultry. The nearby Hildebrand Ranch Park encompasses more of the Hildebrand's ranch lands. (Read about that hike.)
In back of the main house is a summer kitchen. Built in 1910, it was used in the summer to keep the main house cooler.
When you've explored the summer kitchen and the house, cross the road to the milking barn and stable. If you stand by the fence for awhile, you may spot some of the goats and maybe even the two miniature horses who live here.
As you explore the old farm, you'll find a blacksmith shop, carriage barn, granary and other buildings. Each building has a sign with a little history.
As you pass by the last farm buildings, just past the blacksmith shop is a road. Turn left and hike the road south. Stay on the road as its bends to the east. After a walk of about half-mile, you'll see more buildings. This farm was owned by the Green family in the1930s to 1960s. There are two homes here. One home is used as offices for the employees. The second home is furnished with antiques and is used as a dressing area for brides getting married at the gardens. Just past the two homes is a big, red barn and a silo. The barn is often used for receptions.
In the 1920s, the farm was used by bootleggers who hid their illegal alcohol by sinking it in a nearby reservoir. The Green family bought it in the mid-1930s and farmed here until the 1960s.
Pass the barn and the silo are the hiking trails. As you walk the trails, you can enjoy an audio tour. Signs will give you a phone number to call to learn more about wildlife and spots along the trail. When you see what looks like a tall, old fence, stop for a moment. This is actually a wildlife blind. A place where you can look at wildlife without disturbing them. Walk for as far as you want, then turn around and return the way you came.
One note, as you return and walk by the Green Farm, at the end of the parking lot, look for a trail to the right. Follow this trail back toward the Visitor's Center. Here you'll find the old Deer Creek School. Built in 1874, the last class held in the schoolhouse was in the 1940s. The schoolhouse was moved to the gardens in the 1990s and restored.
Details: A walk around the two historic farms, to the duck blind and back is about 2 miles roundtrip with very little elevation gain.
Directions: From C-470, exit Wadsworth Boulevard. Turn south and drive about 0.2 miles to the first light, which is Deer Creek Canyon Road. Turn right/west on Deer Creek Canyon Road. Drive 0.3 miles to the Botanic Gardens entrance on your left. Take the road through the gardens about 0.6 miles to the Visitor's Center parking lot.
In the area, there are more hiking trails at Hildebrand Ranch Park, South Valley Park and Deer Creek Canyon. Check out this list of great places to hike in Colorado and throughout the west.
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