Working to Preserve Open Space and Create a Network of Trails, Bikeways and Greenways in the Pikes Peak Region
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Easy TrailsPrinter Friendly VersionReturn to the Trails index of topics Several trails accessible to those with disabilities have been identified, but are still very dependent on the type of disability and the trail surface. Only a portion of the trail might be accessible. Other trails might be accessible as well. As always, use your own judgment. For information on specific trails and their possible accessibility, call the Trails Coalition and we can provide information on the trail surface and parking. The Trails Coalition is working with the Therapeutic Recreation Companion Program to research additional trails for accessibility. For assistance or a volunteer to go with you, contact the Therapeutic Recreation Companion Program at 578-6330. Aiken Canyon Trails Named after ornithologist Charles Aiken who surveyed the area in the 1870’s, Aiken Canyon is a 1,621-acre Nature Conservancy protected preserve. The canyon contains a diversity of geologic formations and plant life and provides habitat for a large number of animal species including bear, deer, mountain lion, bobcat, elk, badger, fox and over 100 species of birds. It is a day-use area only open Saturday through Monday. No pets, bicycles, horses or motorized traffic are allowed. Please stay on marked trails. Take Hwy. 115 south of Academy Blvd. 11.5 miles to Turkey Canyon Ranch Road (It's located 0.1 mile south of milepost 32.) Turn right (west) and drive 200 yards to the preserve parking area. For information on Aiken Canyon, call 632-0534 Air Force Academy Roads Stadium Blvd. Loop - 11 miles, paved roads with wide shoulders; easy. This loop is extremely popular with cyclists who want an easy ride with few traffic worries. It starts just after the South Gate entrance on South Gate Blvd. then turns north on Stadium Blvd., runs up to the north end by the B-52 display and returns. Perimeter Loop – 14 miles, paved roads with mostly wide shoulders, easy to moderate with some long hill climbs Start at the Thunderbird display on the south end of Stadium Blvd., then go north to North Gate Blvd. It then climbs the hill west as the road turns into Academy Dr. At the top of the hill turn south and follow the road until it intersects Pine Dr. (at the hospital). Follow Pine Dr. around until it intersects Stadium Dr. and takes you back to your car. To get to the parking areas, go in the south or north gate of the Air Force Academy. You may park in any designated parking area but two prominent areas are on the north end at the B-52 display and at the south end at the Thunderbird Overlook. Air Force Academy Stables 20+ miles, soft surface, $5/day fee The trail from the parking area goes either east or west along the creek and from there there are lots of options. If you go west as far as the fire station road and follow it west you can pick up Forest Service Trail 713 which goes to Rampart Reservoir and all the trails in the national forest. If you go east toward Ice Lake you will come to the perimeter road and it will take you on a loop around the south boundary of the Academy. There are great views. If you turn left when you hit the perimeter road and continue north through the gate and go right across the railroad tracks, you can pick up the New Santa Fe Trail which you can ride all the way to Palmer Lake if you choose. American
Discovery Trail A National Millennium Trail running from California to Delaware. It comes through our region south from Denver on the New Santa Fe Trail and Pikes Peak Greenway, west on the Sinton Trail, through Garden of the Gods, west on the Midland Trail to Manitou Springs using the Manitou Springs Creek Walk and then west to Cripple Creek on the Ute Pass Corridor Trail. See descriptions on individual trails. Not all of the trail is completed. The trail passes the Air Force Academy, Garden of the Gods Park, historic Manitou Springs, Mueller State Park and the historic gold mines of Teller County. The American Discovery Trail can be reached at any of the trailheads on the individual trails that make up this national trail. America the Beautiful Trail Colorado’s Millennium Legacy Trail. It was named in honor of Katharine Lee Bates who was inspired to write her poem by a visit up Pikes Peak. The trail consists of eight trails running from Peyton to Cripple Creek: Rock Island, Pikes Peak Greenway, Sinton, Foothills, Midland, Manitou Springs Creek Path, Ute Pass and Divide Loop. See individual descriptions for how much of each trail has been completed. The America the Beautiful Trail can be reached at any of the trailheads on the individual trails that make up this national trail. Bear Creek Park Dog Loop The Bear Creek Park Dog Loop is one of only a handful of areas in either the city or county parks system where dogs can use the trails without a leash. It is an extremely popular area for dog owners. Dogs must be under voice command and under control at all times. From Hwy. 24, take 21st St. south to Rio Grande (over the big hill and back down to the traffic light.) The trailhead for the dog loop is on the west side of 21st St., across from Rio Grande and on the north end of the park. Bear Creek Nature Center Trail Songbird Trail – 0.1 mile roundtrip, paved, boardwalk – handicap accessible, easy Mountain Scrub Loop Trail – 0.5 mile roundtrip, gravel – moderate Creekbottom Loop Trail – 0.8 mile roundtrip, gravel – moderate Coyote Gulch Loop Trail – 1.2 miles roundtrip, gravel – moderate A great place to hike a variety of trails on the west side. Scrub oak, Ponderosa pine, meadows, wildlife and a creek make for a quiet and peaceful sojourn through nature. Look for a huge variety of wildlife as you walk the trails – no bikes, horses or dogs! Enjoy the abundance of interpretive signage as you walk. From Hwy. 24 take 26th St. south two miles to Bear Creek Road. Turn left into Bear Creek Nature Center. Bear Creek Trail This is a multi-use trail that starts at the confluence of Fountain and Bear Creeks across the interstate from Wal-Mart on 8th St. It passes through Bear Creek Park near the Penrose Equestrian Center and continues across 21st Street, west through hilly sections near Upper Skyway and the Bear Creek Nature Center. This trail is heavily used by bicyclists, hikers and equestrians. Migratory birds abound. Additionally, deer, rabbits, weasels, coyotes, hawks, falcons, bears and butterflies can occasionally be seen. To schedule the equestrian cross-country course, call 520-6711. When the course is in use, warning signs are posted. The Nature Center offers a wide variety of programs. Songbird Trail at the Nature Center is accessible to the disabled. From I-25, take exit 141; west on Hwy. 24 (Cimmaron) to 21st St. Go east on Rio Grande Ave. for Bear Creek Park East or west to Argus Blvd. for Bear Creek Terrace. Other accesses include Wal-Mart on 8th St., the Pikes Peak Greenway, and the Bear Creek Nature Center on Bear Creek Road. Black Forest Regional Park Trails A three-mile loop trail winds through the 240-acre regional park. Park trails provide spectacular views of Pikes Peak and the Front Range from the developed area. The remainder of the park is undeveloped with primitive trails for non-motorized use. The park is a prime area for cross-country skiing, mountain biking and horses (limited equestrian parking). The park has pavilions, restrooms, playgrounds and other amenities. It is located at the intersection of Shoup and Milam Roads in the Black Forest. Take Colorado Highway 83 to Shoup Road, then Shoup Road 2.5 miles east to Milam Road. Black Forest Section Sixteen This is a new trail built by the Black Forest Trails Association and El Paso County Parks. It runs around the periphery of the section. It is a beautiful forested area suitable for all non-motorized use. To reach the area, take Woodmen Rd. east to Black Forest Rd. Take an immediate right past the shopping center onto Vollmer. Go 4 miles to the flashing light and take a left on Burgess to the gate. If there is no parking there, you can drive around the section and park at any of the entrances. Blodgett Peak Open Space This area offers one of the few direct visual and physical accesses to the Front Range in the city's northwest. The parcel offers a beautiful setting for you to walk, bike or ride along existing roads and trails, with active streams as it transitions from Ponderosa to Douglas fir. It abounds with trails and is adjacent to Blodgett Peak itself. A new master plan has been approved that will allow for the development of new trails and a trailhead for the open space in 2003. Take Centennial Blvd. north from Vindicator. Look for the gate on the west side just south of Blodgett Drive, right before Centennial turns into Woodmen. The open space has a parks regulations sign. Park on the road Centennial Trail Centennial Trail begins in Woodland Park at Midland Ave. on Hwy 67 and travels to Manitou Lake. The bike trail is an 8-foot wide asphalt pathway that parallels State Highway 67. Near mile marker 84, the trail crosses the wetlands on the road. Cross the bridge using the west side. The trail connects Woodland Park with the Pike National Forest campgrounds, Manitou Lake picnic grounds and a variety of Forest Service hiking trails. There is no charge for walking or biking into the Manitou Lake Picnic Grounds. Take Hwy. 24 west to Woodland Park. Then go north on Hwy. 67. The Woodland Park Trailhead is at the intersection of Hwy. 24 and Midland Ave. Park at any of the any of the Forest Service parking areas along Hwy. 67 or at Manitou Lake. (Fee is not required to park at the parking areas adjacent to the road.) Parking is also available on the west side of the highway across from the Forest Service’s Colorado Campground (6.8 miles from Woodland Park.) Clear Springs Ranch Trail Clear Springs Ranch is home to a variety of wildlife species located near the interface of the grasslands and foothills ecosystems. It is adjacent to Fountain Creek and wooded areas. Deer, fox, turkey and a variety of songbirds and raptors make this a wonderful oasis just south of Fountain. The main trail runs north and south through the property and will eventually connect to Fountain Creek Regional Trail. Take I-25 south to Exit 123 and then go east to Clear Spring Ranch Trail. Cottonwood Creek Trail Only a portion of the Cottonwood Creek Trail has been built as a loop at Cottonwood Creek Park. The proposed route will run from I-25 to Black Forest in the vicinity of Woodmen Road. Trailhead parking is at Cottonwood Creek Park, Montarbor Dr. & Dublin Blvd. Crags Trail The Crags Trail provides one of the best cross-country ski areas in our region because of its altitude. It is also popular with cyclists, equestrians and hikers. The trail has something for everyone: forests, streams, meadows and rock formations. Great views of the peak and North and South Catamount and Crystal reservoirs are available. Take Hwy. 24 to Divide, then Hwy. 67 towards Cripple Creek. Drive to the Rocky Mountain Campground, on the left just past Mueller State Park. Turn in and drive 1.5 miles to the Crags Campground. Fee required. Crews Gulch Trail The Crews Gulch will eventually connect Fountain Creek Regional Trail to the Big Johnson Open Space. It is currently completed from just east of the railroad (intersection of Widefield Blvd. And Harvard St.) to Fontane Blvd. It passes through Widefield Park. Take U.S. Hwy. 85/87 south to Widefield. Turn east on Fontane Blvd. to Widefield Park. Crystal Lake Nature Trail This short interpretive trail begins at the top of the amphitheater west of the Crystal Lake Visitors Center on the Pikes Peak Highway. It is a gentle climb to an enclosed platform overlooking Pikes Peak beyond the lake. Great views. Take Hwy. 24 west to the Pikes Peak Hwy. In Cascade. Take the highway to Crystal Lake. Fee required. Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument Trails
A great place to go for a hike or cross-country skiing in the winter. Surrounded by petrified redwoods and fossils millions of years old, take “A Walk Through Time Trail, the Twin Rock Trail” or any of the other great trails. Interpretive signs and self-guided tours are available. New shelters for the fossils are being constructed. No mountain bikes are allowed. To get to the Fossil Beds, go west on Highway 24 to Florissant, take Teller County 1 south for 2.5 miles and turn in at the Visitors' Center. Fee required. Foothills Trail This trail runs through Mountain Shadows following a greenbelt parallel to Flying W Ranch Rd. and along 30th St. Going south from Centennial Blvd. the trail is uphill to Mountain Shadows Pass and downhill on the other side. It passes Mountain Shadows Park and Chipita Elementary School. The trail connects to Ute Valley Park on the east, Garden of the Gods Park on the west and the Sinton Trail. There is a one- block gap in the trail from Mountain Shadows to where the trail begins again along 30th Street as it passes the intersection. The corner is frequently muddy clay when wet. Once you are on the trail heading south along 30th, you have a moderately hilly trail into Garden of the Gods and past the Rock Ledge Ranch. South of the ranch, it is a bicycle lane along 31st St. Park at Chipita Elementary School on Flying W Ranch Road, Blair Bridge Park on 30th or Garden of the Gods Park. Fort Carson Check current restrictions at the base. You currently have to have a pass to get on. The Fort Carson trails network is open to the public. Call TOSC (633-6884) for a map of the trails. There are four different trails, all interconnected. The trails are available to hikers, runners and bicycling (unless marked otherwise). Horses are not allowed. Parking is available at the Golf Course and various park locations. Parking is available at the Golf Course and various park locations. Fountain Creek Regional Trail This trail connects El Paso County's Fountain Creek Regional Park to the Pikes Peak Greenway and is the southern link in the region's 40-mile long "Spine" Trail. Starting just south of Hanson Park, the trail passes Willow Springs Fishing Ponds (closed) and numerous wetland and habitat viewing areas. A wide gravel trail winds through beautiful old cottonwood trees, bushes and tall grasses, and alongside wetlands sanctuaries of Fountain Creek. You will find gazebos with educational displays for wetlands viewing. The area abounds with wildlife, ducks, blue herons, owls, deer, beaver, and red fox. This trail connects north to the Pikes Peak Greenway (note: there is still some flood damage between Circle and Nevada.) Trailheads are at Hwy. 85/87, Willow Springs Ponds and Duckwood Road. You can reach the trail from the interstate at Exit 132, then east on Highway 16 for one-half mile, then take Security exit to Highway 85/87 junction, turn right on 85/87 and again right onto Willow Springs Road to the park entrance. You can also access it by taking Hwy. 85/87 south off Lake Ave. (Venetucci Blvd.) to the county trailhead. Garden of the Gods Trails Garden of the Gods is a 1367-acre park owned by the City of Colorado Springs. It contains famous red sandstone rock formations known throughout the United States. The park is interlaced with numerous hiking and equestrian trails providing spectacular views of the park and the City as they crisscross around and through grasslands and juniper woodlands. The park is home to an incredible variety of wildlife including deer, hawks, bighorn sheep and rattlesnakes. Some of the trees are over 1,000 years old. 1995 was the first year that mountain biking was legally allowed in a portion of the park and is only allowed on specifically marked trails on the southeast side of the park. All trails are multi-use (except for bikes). One of the nicest trails is the Sue Bretag which starts at the intersection of Gateway Road and Juniper Way. No bicycles are allowed on this trail. Please follow park regulations. There are bicycle and pedestrian lanes on most of the roads. The park is located at 30th Street and Gateway Road. Park at the Garden of the Gods Visitors Center on 30th, the main parking lot on the very north end of the park, Balanced Rock or near the Trading Post on the south end of the park. Horse trailer parking is available at South Spring Canyon Picnic Area just up from the Trading Post on Garden Lane. Gold Camp Road As the former narrow-gauge railroad bed for the train to Cripple Creek, the surface is an easy grade (seems uphill all the way) through some of the most spectacular scenery in America. There are numerous side trails and you get a touch of the Old West passing through the old railroad tunnels. This part is closed to cars because of the tunnel cave-in. Trails accessed by Gold Camp Road include Section 16 trails, Penrose , St. Mary's Falls, St. Peter's Dome and others. Off High Drive, you can access Jones Park and Bear Creek Trails. Park at the trailhead in North Cheyenne Canyon above Helen Hunt Falls. Homestead Ranch Trail 4.5 miles; paved, gravel Most of this trail is relatively easy as it runs from the Community Center on Old Farm Circle south to Maizeland Road and Radiant Drive. Along the way, you pass Old Farm Park, up rather steep switch backs above the park and the top of the ridge overlooking Sky Sox Stadium. You continue along the eastern boundaries of Ridge Subdivision and Village Seven. The trail runs in the median of Academy Blvd. to Maizeland. The surface varies from asphalt and concrete to gravel, and provides a great round-trip bicycle ride any time of the year unless snow and ice are present. Picnic benches are available past Rudy Elementary School. The trail winds past North and South Carefree Circle, through a pedestrian tunnel behind Penrose Elementary School, paralleling a storm water drainage to Maizeland Rd. Park at Old Farm Park on the north end of the trail, Rudy Elementary School or Rustic Hills North Shopping Center on the south end. Homestead Ridge Trail The trail in the middle of Academy has been removed as the road is reconstructed. It will be rebuilt on the west side of Academy Blvd. once the road work is completed. Most of this trail is relatively easy as it runs from the Community Center on Old Farm Circle south to Maizeland Road and Radiant Drive. Along the way, you pass Old Farm Park, up rather steep switch backs above the park and the top of the ridge overlooking Sky Sox Stadium. You continue along the eastern boundaries of Ridge Subdivision and Village Seven. The trail runs in the median of Academy Blvd. to Maizeland. The surface varies from asphalt and concrete to gravel, and provides a great round-trip bicycle ride any time of the year unless snow and ice are present. Picnic benches are available past Rudy Elementary School. The trail winds past North and South Carefree Circle, through a pedestrian tunnel behind Penrose Elementary School, paralleling a storm water drainage to Maizeland Rd. Park at Old Farm Park on the north end of the trail, Rudy Elementary School or Rustic Hills North Shopping Center on the south end. Horsethief Park Trail These are great trails for everyone. Located on the Cripple Creek side of the Little Ike Tunnel, it takes you up past the tunnel. Hike, ski, ride or bike the steep grade to the high mountain meadow. This is a great way to view the aspens. There are three different trails available once you leave the initial route above the tunnel. The first takes you through an old forest road (1.5 miles). Once in the valley, turn left across the stream and take the road on the other side. The second choice is the signed 5.5 mile up- and-back south to Pancake Rocks; don't cross the stream, just continue straight ahead. The rocks are worth seeing. The third choice is to follow the stream up to Horsethief Falls (1.75 miles). Take Hwy. 24 west to Divide, then south on Hwy. 67 towards Cripple Creek. Park on the Cripple Creek side of the old closed tunnel. Loop (Divide, CO) This Divide, CO trail winds through upland grasslands and meadows along the Rule Creek drainage. Trail users can easily see historic berms left from turn-of-the century lettuce farming, along with abundant wildlife and a constantly changing carpet of wildflowers. Quiet hikers can often spot coyote, fox and elk. Flocks of horned larks are common winter residents. Convenient, ample parking and restrooms are available adjacent to the trailhead in the community park. The Loop Trail trailhead is easily reached from the Hayden Divide Community Park, southeast of the junction of U.S. Highway 24 and State Highway 67 in the community of Divide. Lovell Gulch Trail Hike, run, bike, cross-country ski or ride your horse through beautiful Lovell Gulch. Filled with wildflowers, this loop trail provides something for everyone: gentle rolling hills, forests and scenic vistas. Stay on the posted trail. Go west on Hwy. 24 to Woodland Park; turn on Baldwin behind McDonald's and drive 0.9 miles past Woodland Park Middle School. The trailhead is on the left and is well marked. Manitou Springs Creek-Walk Trail This Manitou Springs trail follows Fountain Creek from Shryver Park Pool to just west of the Briarhurst Restaurant. This trail is part of the American Discovery Trail and the America the Beautiful Trail. Take Hwy. 24 west to 31st. St.; north to Colorado Ave. which changes to Manitou Ave. Park at Shryver Park on Manitou Ave. Monument , FS #715 Great for horses, bicyclists and hikers with some steep climbs, beautiful views through heavily forested areas with streams. Follow the trail up N. Beaver Creek to a tributary and over a saddle behind Mt. Herman. The descent along Monument Creek is steep. There is a very steep climb left to Balanced Rock Road. The trail finishes on a private road and loops back to the Monument Fire Center. No bikes or horses are allowed past the gate to Palmer Lake. To find the trail, go from downtown Monument, across the railroad tracks and south on Mitchell Avenue to Mt. Herman Road. Turn west for 0.6 mile, then south to where Schilling Road meets Lindbergh Avenue. Go through the stile in the fence and up the road to the trail. Mueller State Park/Dome Rock Wildlife Area -
Fee The park is divided between the State Park and Division of Wildlife. It is laced with dozens of trails for hiking, running, cross-country skiing, biking (on designated trails) and horseback riding (designated parking available). This is a beautiful area with a variety of wildlife, incredible rock formations and forests of evergreens and aspens. There are seasonal closures (Dec. 1-Jul. 15) on Dome View, Spring Creek and Dome Rock trails. Take Hwy. 24 to Divide, turn south on Hwy. 67. Mueller is on the right. Fee required. New Santa Fe Trail This trail is the northern segment of the region’s north-south spine trail. It traces the old 1870 Santa Fe Railroad right-of-way. The gravel trail is used by runners, mountain bicyclists, walkers and equestrians. Views of Elephant Rock and the Front Range as well as prairie lands and pine forests make this trail fun for everyone. The trail is well marked with interpretive signs. Users must not leave the trail through the Academy grounds. Six trailheads service its length. The trail south skirts Elephant Rock. The southern end is south of Ice Lake at the city limits where it transitions to the Pikes Peak Greenway through the City. Helmets for cyclists and a photo ID are required through the Air Force Academy portion of the trail!!!!!!! Trailheads are numerous. The northern end is located in Palmer Lake Regional Park. Take Highway 105 through Palmer Lake, past the northern edge of the lake. Turn right on County Line Road, cross the tracks and turn right into the park. Trailheads are also found in Monument, at Hwy. 105, Baptist Road, the north entrance to the Air Force Academy and Ice Lake on the Air Force Academy. Enter at the south gate and cross the bridge over Monument Creek. Turn left at Pine Drive. On the sweeping curve to the right, take the gravel road left toward the power substation and cross the tracks. (Trains sometimes block the way out for several hours, so be warned.) Palmer-Mesa Trail This trail is by Mesa Road, extending north from Uintah Street to Fillmore Street, this trail was built through a cooperative effort led by the Mesa Neighborhood Association. It is constructed on the road right-of-way with portions of the trail detached from Mesa Road. As such, it offers a safe and attractive route for children, exercise enthusiasts, and recreational users. A spur north of Holmes Junior High School connects to Sondermann Park. Park at Holmes Junior High. The trail can be accessed at Holmes Middle School just south of Fillmore or the Garden of the Gods overlook on Mesa. Palmer Park Trails Palmer Park is one of the premiere multi-use parks in the City. The park features two loop trails (3.8 miles total), the .75 mile Edna Mae Bennett Nature Trail and numerous other secondary footpaths. Trails are well marked, but the trailhead signs don’t label the trails so are not of much use. The park offers spectacular views of the City as you ascend and descend through a variety of rock formations. Palmer Park is one of the best locations to ride mountain bikes in the City. With but a few exceptions, the trails are all multi-use, so you need to look out for horses, runners and hikers. There are restrooms, picnic pavilions and playgrounds. Trailheads are at park entrances at Maizeland Road west of Academy Boulevard and on Paseo Road. Parking is also available at numerous locations inside the park. Horse trailer parking is available at the Reyner Stables. Pikes Peak Greenway Trail This trail forms the central segment of the region’s "Spine Trail" running from Palmer Lake to Fountain Creek Regional Park. It is the most heavily used trail in the region and is a segment of both the American Discovery Trail and the America the Beautiful Trail. The trail runs parallel to Monument and Fountain Creeks through wooded areas and several City gardens. It is used by pedestrians and bicyclists and accesses many other connecting trails and all downtown activity centers. Following the creeks, you see beautiful views of the Front Range and pass through wildlife habitat and riparian areas that house numerous varieties of birds and aquatic life. The trail passes the Goose Gossage Youth Sports Complex, Monument Valley Park (no horses allowed) and will go through Confluence Park when the park is built. The trail is temporarily closed south underneath the Nevada Ave. Bridge and south of Janitell Road. It is expected to be open again in mid 2002. The Greenway can be accessed from the Edmondson Trailhead off Woodmen Road, the Youth Sports Complex on Mark Dabling, Monument Valley Park, Dorchester Park and the Seymour Cray Trailhead just south of Circle. Pulpit Rock Numerous social trails crisscross the Pulpit Rock Open Space and into University Park. A new trailhead is being built up near the water tank at the south end of the property. Take Nevada almost as far north as you can go - to the new Utilities Substation. The trailhead is there. Rainbow Gulch Trail Rainbow Gulch Trail is an easy trail suitable for skiing and biking to Rampart Reservoir. It offers a free parking alternative to the reservoir. This trail is heavily used by mountain bikers in the warmer months and cross-country skiers in the winter. It is an easy ride or walk down to the lake from here. Take Rampart Range Road from Garden of the Gods Park or go to Woodland Park, turning behind McDonald's on Baldwin St. Go 2.9 miles to Loy Creek Rd., bear right to Rampart Range Road; take a right and follow the signs. Parking areas abound. Free parking is available at Rainbow Gulch Trailhead (on the left, 2.4 miles from the beginning of Rampart Range Road). Rampart Reservoir Trail New security restrictions do not allow you to drive over the dam. You may walk or bike over the dam. The trails have been reopened. Rampart Reservoir Trail is an incredibly scenic trail around the lake that is popular with bicyclists, runners and cross-country skiers. Local custom says ride clockwise. The trail is right on the water (and sometimes under). If you drive into the reservoir area itself, you will have to pay a use fee. Take the 2.3 Nichols Trail down to Nichols Reservoir. You can reach the reservoir by taking Rampart Range Road from Garden of the Gods Park or going to Woodland Park, turning behind McDonald's on Baldwin St. Go 2.9 miles to Loy Creek Rd., bear right to Rampart Range Road and follow the signs. Parking areas abound. Free parking is available at Rainbow Gulch Trailhead (on the left, 2.4 miles from the beginning of Rampart Range Road). Rock Island Trail (Colorado Springs)
This is an easy, partially completed trail paralleling the Rock Island Railroad and Constitution Avenue. It is completed ffrom Wahsatch to Powers. The route will eventually run from Monument Creek east to Peyton. The trail is the major east-west link for the City and the County. Park at Rustic Hills Mall North on Academy, the Bon Shopping Center on Wahsatch or the shopping center at the corner of Circle and Constitution. El Paso County has a trailhead along the trail at Falcon. Rockrimmon Trail Rockrimmon Trail is an unpaved gravel neighborhood connection weaving from Monument Creek through Rockrimmon to Ute Valley Park. Rockrimmon Trail joins Ute Valley Park and the Foothills Trail. The trail goes by Golden Hills and Foothills Parks and Foothills Elementary School. It needs a railroad underpass to link to the Pikes Peak Greenway. This Rockrimmon area trail can be accessed from Ute Valley Park, Golden Hills and Foothills Park and Foothills Elementary School. Parking is available at each of these sites. Shooks Run Park Trail Shooks Run Trail goes from the Rock Island Line Railroad south through Shooks Run Park to Fountain Boulevard. It's a paved trail running through north-south linear parks on the old railroad grade along a stream. The Shooks Run Trail Friends are working to improve the trail. If you would like to help, call Becky Cramer 634-3392. The city’s SCIP project will build an underpass under Pikes Peak for the trail in 2002. Work has already started to open up the creek. If you drive by on Pikes Peak, you will see the work progress. Trailheads are numerous, including: the Bon Shopping Center, 2200 N. Wahsatch Ave., El Paso Street at Costilla Avenue, Pikes Peak Avenue, and Willamette Avenue. Sinton Trail The Sinton Trail is a critical link to the major employers along Garden of the Gods Road and is a portion of the American Discovery Trail and the America the Beautiful Trail. It connects to Templeton Gap Trail, the Pikes Peak Greenway at the Goose Gossage Youth Sports Complex and to the Foothills Trail running to the Garden of the Gods. There is still a gap at the corner of 30th St. Parking is available at the Youth Sports Complex on Mark Dabling. The trail can be accessed from the Foothills Trail on the west. Skyline Trail This northeastern trail travels through rolling hills and prairie north of Woodmen. The majority of the trail is paved and good for bicycling, skating and walking. There are many small feeder trails coming out of the residential areas. The trail connects to Cottonwood Creek near Woodmen Road, and will connect to the yet-to-be developed La Foret Trail near Shoup Road. The trail needs to be connected through the City utilities substation to make it continuous and it still lacks a portion just west of Union. Parking is available at the Conoco Station at Union and Briargate and behind King Soopers west of Rangewood. Stratton Open Space Stratton Open Space is a diverse region of five ecosystems including a ponderosa pine forest, scrub oak brush land, a high meadow grassland, a cattail marsh and a riparian area. The area contains a wide variety of wildlife. This open space has seen a great deal of trail work over the past two years. Some trails have been re-vegetated while others have been improved. Ten trails are planned with 7 miles completed out of eight planned. Trails range from easy to difficult. It has one of the region’s most popular mountain biking trails—the Chutes. There are trails for everyone including hiking-only trails for those wishing to avoid bikes. The Chamberlain Trail through Stratton will be the key north-south trail on the west side of the City. Parking is available at the trailheads off Ridgeway, off La Veta and just past the Starsmore Discovery Center (at the entrance to North Cheyenne Canyon.) Take 21st. St south from Hwy. 24. It turns into Cresta. La Veta is immediately south of Cheyenne Mountain High School. Ridgeway is north off Cheyenne Blvd. Templeton Gap Trail Templeton Gap is essentially the extension of the Sinton Trail along the Templeton Gap Floodway from Monument Creek to Palmer Park. The trail has an on-street crossing at Nevada and goes under Union and Austin Bluffs. Park at the Goose Gossage Youth Sports Complex on Mark Dabling or Portal Park at Hancock and E. Newcastle. Ute Pass Regional Trail
In El Paso County, the trail is called the Ute Pass Regional Trail. This trail is currently completed in Ute Pass from the Green Mountain Falls Elementary school to the Village of Green Mountain Falls. Additional trail has been completed in Woodland Park behind Safeway. The trail is also being developed between Woodland Park and Divide. It is a key segment of the American Discovery Trail and the America the Beautiful Trail. Ute Pass Regional Trail can be reached from Hwy. 24 at the Green Mountain Falls Elementary School on Chipita Park Road. The part in Woodland Park can be reached behind Safeway on Hwy. 24. Woodland Park - 1 mile; paved behind Safeway and through Cavalier Park. Divide Loop - 2.75 miles, gravel surface. This Divide, CO trail winds through upland grasslands and meadows along the Rule Creek drainage. These segments are first parts of regional trail that runs from Manitou Springs, CO to Cripple Creek, CO. The trail is part of the coast-to-coast American Discovery Trail and Colorado's Millenium Legacy America the Beautiful Trail that runs from Peyton, CO to Cripple Creek, CO. Ute Valley Trail This natural trail starts in the rugged Ute Valley Park and travels east past Compaq toward the Pikes Peak Greenway. It primarily serves the Pinecliff, Rockrimmon and Pinon Valley neighborhoods but has become a popular trail for people from all over the City. Although the trail itself is only two miles long, numerous routes can be taken which can provide much longer hikes or rides. The trail is well-marked. On Compaq property (private), fork right and uphill. Then look carefully for a smaller path due east, as the well-worn trail heads south uphill and back to Pinecliff. The trail connects to the Foothills and Rockrimmon Trail on the west. Ute Valley Park is located off Vindicator, east of Centennial in Rockrimmon. Park at the parking lot on Vindicator. Vindicator Valley Explore Teller County’s newest trail near Cripple Creek and Victor. Go back in history to the glory years of gold mining with this loop through remnants of 1890’s gold mines. Interpretive signs explain the legend of gold mining in the Golden Loop. This trail includes access to the Theresa and Vindicator mines. To reach the trail, take U.S. Hwy 24 west from Colorado Springs; in Divide turn south on Hwy 67; turn left at the sign to Victor on Teller County Rd. 81. Return to the Trails index of topics
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