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Colorado Springs area trails

PostPosted: Wed Jan 13, 2010 1:58 pm
by myles
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

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

PostPosted: Wed Jan 13, 2010 4:43 pm
by myles
Thanks, looks like a nice leg stretcher!

PostPosted: Wed Jan 13, 2010 9:35 pm
by mconnell
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.

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

PostPosted: Thu Jan 14, 2010 4:56 am
by mconnell
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!

PostPosted: Thu Jan 14, 2010 1:30 pm
by myles
Dang, Sarah, wish I had more time!

Thanks, all. Much appreciated!

PostPosted: Thu Jan 14, 2010 2:45 pm
by Colorado Native
The Manitou Incline of course.

PostPosted: Thu Jan 14, 2010 3:35 pm
by mconnell
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.

PostPosted: Fri Jan 15, 2010 4:46 pm
by Doublecabin
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.

PostPosted: Tue Jan 19, 2010 8:50 am
by Sierra Ledge Rat
Just a day hike?

Why not consider hiking around Garden of the Gods?

PostPosted: Tue Jan 19, 2010 3:16 pm
by Mountainscott
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!

PostPosted: Tue Jan 19, 2010 10:52 pm
by myles
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.

PostPosted: Tue Jan 19, 2010 10:58 pm
by myles
I'll check it out Mountainscott. Thanks to all for the suggestions. Gotta get back for a longer visit.

Cheers,
Myles

PostPosted: Tue Jan 19, 2010 11:21 pm
by mconnell
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: