Visit Rita the Rock Planter
Donate to Rita’s ongoing maintenance.
DRIVING TO THE TRAIL HEAD:
Visit Google Maps and Directions.
HIKING THE BIRDHOUSE TRAIL: If you wish to hike to Rita you can park in Victor, street side near Wallace Park and the Victor Visitor Center. From there you can follow the birdhouses along the trail to find Rita.
NO DRIVING TRAFFIC SHOULD FOLLOW THE BIRDHOUSES. If you wish to drive closer, please follow the directions from All Trails for parking at Little Grouse.
Where is Rita?
How to Find Rita the Rock Planter
Rita can be found moving piles of stones on top of Little Grouse Mountain just outside of Victor, Colorado. To reach Rita, take the Little Grouse Trailhead (easily searchable on the AllTrails app). There are two parking lots. For a longer hike (approximately 0.8mi), park in the lower lot and hike up to the panoramic views of the Sangre De Christo Mountain range where you can see Rita hard at work. For a shorter hike (0.2mi), and the same breath-taking views, follow Overlook Road from the lower parking lot to the upper parking lot. Rita can be found just past the American Eagles Headframe.
From Victor: Take Hwy 67 westward out of Victor, Colorado, approximately 1mile to the lower parking lot (left turn off of Hwy 67). To reach the upper parking lot take Overlook Road from the lower parking lot.
From Cripple Creek: Take Hwy 67 southward out of Cripple Creek, Colorado, approximately 3 miles to the lower parking lot (right turn off of Hwy 67). To reach the upper parking lot, take Overlook Road from the lower parking lot.
“Great things are not done by impulse, but a series of small things brought together.”
— Thomas Dambo
Parking, Trails
& Weather Conditions
Little Grouse Mountain has two parking lots (an upper parking lot and a lower parking lot). Parking in the lower parking lot will allow an opportunity to hike uphill to Rita (approximately 0.8mi). Parking in the upper parking will create a shorter downhill hike (approximately 0.2mi). Little Grouse Mountain Trail makes a loop that is approximately 1.9mi that rises and falls with the terrain. The AllTrails app classifies Little Grouse Mountain Trail as Easy.
Hiking the bird house trail: If you wish to hike to Rita you can park in Victor, street side near Wallace Park and the Victor Visitor Center. From there you can follow the birdhouses along the trail to find Rita. NO DRIVING TRAFFIC SHOULD FOLLOW THE BIRDHOUSES. If you wish to drive closer, please follow the directions for parking at Little Grouse.
The weather on Little Grouse can vary greatly within the same day. Please plan for rain, high winds, cool or hot temperatures, cloudiness, or sunshine. Little Grouse Trail is not maintained during the winter months; please plan and prepare accordingly.
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Leave No Trace
Take only photos and leave only footprints. There is no garbage service along the trail but there are trash receptacles in the upper parking lot. We appreciate that you pack out what you bring in.
Please keep Little Grouse Mountain clean and natural.
Donating to Rita’s ongoing maintenance will help us keep trash and restroom services at the trailhead!
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Please Leash Dogs
Please consider your pet’s safety by keeping them on a leash and picking up after them. Rita and her visitors appreciate a tidy trail!
Donating to Rita’s ongoing maintenance will help us keep dog-waste bags and trash service at the trailhead.
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Stay on the Trail
Little Grouse Mountain is home to many beautiful wildflowers and other vegetation. Help us protect this natural growth by staying on the trail and avoid taking shortcuts.
The Little Grouse Trail makes a beautiful loop. Rita is located just off the southwest portion of the loop.
Sponsoring gcDig will help us continue to make improvements to the trail. Please visit the Southern Teller County Focus Group to learn more about the trail systems in southern Teller County.
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Treat Rita with Love
To ensure she sticks around for others to see, please respect Rita’s space, and do not climb on her. She is happy to take photos with you but asks that she remain unhindered while she works.
Donating to Rita’s ongoing maintenance will help us make timely repairs.