Dawson's Butte

My usual hiking trails are closed right now due to the fire danger so this past week I headed north to try out Dawson's Butte.  It was an easy 5 mile loop which would make a great snowshoe or cross country ski trail. It would also be great for kids.  I started out a little late and it was hot so next time I'll go in the early morn or later evening.  I was dissapointed that the trail didn't go up on the top of the butte.  Also for about 2 miles of the trail I could see and hear an occasional car.  The views were pretty and the length was good so I'd probably do it again sometime.


Dawson Butte sometimes known as Dawson Mountain was named for an early homesteader on West Plum Creek named Thomas Dawson. Mr. Dawson came to the area in the early 1860's and staked out squatters rights below the butte. He was the first postmaster at Bear Canyon. Dawson Butte is a 7,476 foot landmark for both East and West Plum Creek. The 1820 Stephen Long expedition climbed the butte to determine their location. This was one of the early expeditions through Plum Creek and this mountain is documented in field notes. Because of the unusual washes on the side and the way the sun would shadow on those washes the turn of the century settlers could always tell what time it was. The Dawson arkose geological formation which extends over much of Douglas County derived its name from Thomas Dawson and Dawson Butte. - Larkspur Historical Society