Colorado Springs area trails

by **myles** » Wed Jan 13, 2010 1:58 pm

I'm going to be in Colorado Springs for work March 7-9, and I'm hoping to arrive early enough to get a hike in the first day I'm there. Hoping some locals can tell me where they'd go if they had half a day and wanted to take in some scenery and elevation gain.

Thanks for any suggestions.

Myles

by **Foxy Long Bottoms** » Wed Jan 13, 2010 3:38 pm

Myles,

The Waldo Canyon Loop is nice. It's approx 7 miles round trip, has great views of Pikes Peak and you gain approximately 2000' of elevation. It's a gorgeous hike.

http://www.localhikes.com/Hikes/WaldoCanyonLoop_1720.asp

by **myles** » Wed Jan 13, 2010 4:43 pm

Thanks, looks like a nice leg stretcher!

by **mconnell** » Wed Jan 13, 2010 9:35 pm

On a Sunday morning, both Waldo Canyon and Barr Trail (east side Pikes Peak trail) are likely to be fairly crowded. For short hikes/runs, there is a trail about 20 minutes west of Waldo Canyon that I like due to small crowds. It doesn't have the elevation gain of Waldo, but starts around 9,500' and tops out around 10,000' (I'm guessing here). It's also a bit shorter than Waldo if you stay to the trail, but you can hook up with other trails and go as far as you want (it connects to the Loop the Peak 'trail', so you could go for a couple days).

To get there, go past Woodland Park on Highway 24. Just out of town, you go up a fairly steep hill with a small hospital on your left. About 1/2 mile past the top of the hill, turn left onto Edlowe Road. (It is a fairly major road. First one with a turn lane you come to after the hill.) Follow Edlowe to the end and park at the lot just outside of the gate at the Catamount Institute.

by **Sarah Simon** » Wed Jan 13, 2010 10:31 pm

by **mconnell** » Thu Jan 14, 2010 4:56 am

sarah.simon wrote:Hi Myles,

If you want specifically to enjoy a peak / attempt a summit, here are a few ideas to research:
[...]

Sarah to the rescue!

by **myles** » Thu Jan 14, 2010 1:30 pm

Dang, Sarah, wish I had more time!

Thanks, all. Much appreciated!

by **Colorado Native** » Thu Jan 14, 2010 2:45 pm

The Manitou Incline of course.

by **mconnell** » Thu Jan 14, 2010 3:35 pm

Colorado Native wrote:The Manitou Incline of course.

It's an option, except that it is crowded and is a very short hike (less than an hour). You could always head up Barr Trail to make it longer, but still have to deal with a lot of people. If you go with either Barr or the Incline, get there really early or you might not find a place to park.

by **Doublecabin** » Fri Jan 15, 2010 4:46 pm

Sarah does have a lot of great suggestions. I lived in Palmer Lake for 3 years and love MT. Herman, great view and nice varied albeit short hike. Could be a problem getting to the traiditonal trailhead if El Nino ultimately rears his ugly head. I also like the slightly shorter but non-technical sister summit of the Sheeps Nose near Westcreek.

If the weather is stellar and you can afford an hour's drive Beaver Creek State Wildlife Area near PEnrose is magical, kind of like going to AZ or UT.

by **Sierra Ledge Rat** » Tue Jan 19, 2010 8:50 am

Just a day hike?

Why not consider hiking around Garden of the Gods?

by **Mountainscott** » Tue Jan 19, 2010 3:16 pm

I write for the outdoors section here at The Gazette and here's a shameless plug for our online trails guide, which we just spent many many hours updating with a new searchable map format for the Pikes Peak region: http://www.gazette.com/sections/infocenter/happytrails/

Feel free to e-mail me with any comments, suggestions or glaring omissions at srappold@gazette.com. Cheers!

by **myles** » Tue Jan 19, 2010 10:52 pm

Sierra Ledge Rat wrote:Just a day hike?

Why not consider hiking around Garden of the Gods?

Really cool place, but I've already been there--years ago--and I wanted to get further up in the hills.

by **myles** » Tue Jan 19, 2010 10:58 pm

I'll check it out Mountainscott. Thanks to all for the suggestions. Gotta get back for a longer visit.

Cheers,
Myles

by **mconnell** » Tue Jan 19, 2010 11:21 pm

Mountainscott wrote:I write for the outdoors section here at The Gazette

Oops. Now I feel bad about throwing away all those clippings that my mother-in-law gives me from that section without reading them. :oops:

Colorado Springs area trails

Colorado Springs area trails

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