Overview*** I recently adopted this page and will be updating it soon. If you have any good suggestions for additions please feel free to let me know.
Climb On!
This mountain is a very popular Colorado Springs peak, because it is one of the most accessible mountains in town. Blodgett Peak is located in the Northwest part of town just south of the Air Force Academy, and this peak sees a lot of traffic due to the city recently opening the lower part of the mountain as the Blodgett Peak Open Space. The main route from the Springs is a good workout because it climbs approximately 2500' in a little over 2 miles. This is a great workout for people looking for a nice winter mountain or just a get-in-shape kind of climb.
There are a couple of ways to the summit: Blodgett Peak Open Space and a route from the US Air Force Academy. Thanks to Mike Mc for submitting that one.
Getting ThereFrom Colorado Springs, exit I-25 at the Woodmen exit and head left. It soon turns into Rockrimmon Blvd, and you continue on down to Vindicator Dr. Turn west on Vindicator. After about 1.5 miles, turn right on Centennial Blvd (which turns into Woodmen Rd). Continue around through past the neighborhoods, and there will be a parking lot and signs for the Blodgett Peak Open Space on the lefthand side of the street. Parking here sometimes gets crowded, so you might have to park on the street.
Red TapeThe lower trails are now part of the Blodgett Peak Open Space and are maintained by the city. The rest of the mountain is controlled by the Forest Service, and so most of the rest of the trails are unmarked and not very well maintained.
See the city rules here.
For more information on the mountain itself, contact the Forest Service at:
Pikes Peak Ranger District Phone
601 South Weber
Colorado Springs, CO 80903
(719) 636-1602
When To ClimbThis makes an excellent stay-in-shape winter hike, because there will be far fewer people and you can see the mountain from all around the north part of Colorado Springs as to whether or not there's snow. But this is a great climb all year round.
CampingThere are quite a few places at or near the top of the mountain that would make for beautiful nighttime views of the city while camping out. Most of the rest of the trail would probably not be much fun to camp on since the trail is so steep.
Camping is not allowed on the lower part of the trail as it is part of the Open Space and is technically a city park. The upper trail is part of the Pike National Forest and so camping would be permitted beyone that line.
Mountain ConditionsLocal weather in Colorado Springs:
External Links Images
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Front Range (CO)
