Entry No. 162 — the Denver file — filed under: castle ruins
Mount Falcon 'Summer White House' Ruins
“he tried to fund by asking the nation's schoolchildren to mail in their pennies”
At the end of Walker's Dream Trail sits a marble cornerstone and foundation — all that remains of John Brisben Walker's quixotic plan to build a 22-room presidential castle on a Colorado mountaintop, a project he tried to fund by asking the nation's schoolchildren to mail in their pennies. The ruins sit at 7,851 feet in Jefferson County Open Space, surrounded by sweeping views of the foothills and the Denver basin.
The move: Hike the Castle Trail from the East Trailhead (roughly 2 miles each way, easy to moderate) to visit both the Walker Mansion ruins and the Summer White House cornerstone — read aloud the historical marker text about the penny-mailing campaign, then spread out a picnic at the nearby shelter with panoramic views before hiking back at golden hour.
📍 Before you go Two trailheads reach the ruins, and the choice matters. The West Trailhead (21074 Mt Falcon Rd, Indian Hills) is the shortcut — roughly 3 miles round trip — versus the longer climb from the East Trailhead in Morrison. You reach the west lot by driving slowly through a 20 mph residential neighborhood, so be respectful; it's small and fills early on weekends, so arrive in the morning. There's a pit toilet just down the Castle Trail but no water, so pack your own. Late spring through fall is ideal; the exposed summit bakes midday, making early or golden-hour visits best. Pair it with Red Rocks and downtown Morrison just below.
- 📍 Morrison
- 💸 Free
- ⚡ Up for anything
- 🌗 Outdoors
Where: East Trailhead: 3852 Vine St, Morrison, CO 80465 (West Trailhead: 21074 Mt Falcon Rd, Indian Hills, CO 80454)
Hours: Mined 2026-06-07 — confirm current hours before you go.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: jeffco.us · hmdb.org · denvergazette.com
last checked: 2026-06-07