Meet at Village Inn

1837 Fremont Drive

Canon City, Co

8 AM

 

 

July 3rd Granite Arch

July 10th Spruce Mountain

July 17th Monarch Crest Trail

July 24th Lewis Creek #1331

July 31st Newlin Creek

 

 

 

 

July 3rd Granite Arch (Kevin Borre)

 

Nearest City: San Isabel

 

Directions to Trailhead: From Canon City go east to CO 67 and turn right (south). Proceed to Hwy 115 (Main St. Florence) and go left. Turn right on 67 and proceed south to Wetmore. Turn right on Hwy 96 and continue 11.1 miles to CO 165 (Greenhorn Hwy) and turn left (south). Go past Bishops Castle and through San Isabel and continue about 11.1 miles to Old San Isabel Road on your left. Follow Old San Isabel Rd. 2.06 miles to Forest Service Road – FSR 320. Turn left onto FSR 320 and drive down to the bridge. Cross the bridge and continue about .04 miles to the parking/picnic area on the right. From parking area hike about ¼ mile further on FSR 320 to the trail head. You will find two dirt berms blocking the beginning of the trail.

 

Beginning Elevation: 7656’

Elevation Gain: 445’

Difficulty: Easy

Hike Length: 3.1 miles in and out

 

Description: The trail leads down to the St. Charles Creek. The arch in visible from the creek but take the time to carefully cross the creek and climb the rocks to the arch. Use caution as some of the rocks are loose. Wild raspberries can be found in the area when they are in season. Take the time to check out the views of the valley that can be found on the trail about ½ way to the arch. Return to trailhead on the same trail.

 

 

July 10th Spruce Mountain Open Space (Sandra Dorr)

 

Directions to Trailhead: From Village Inn take Hwy 50 east to 25 north. Continue N to County Line Rd/Palmer Divide exit and go west. Continue about 2 miles to South Spruce Mountain Rd. Turn right – NE – and continue about 3 miles to the Parking Lot on the west/left side of the road. 13415 South Spruce Mountain Rd., Larkspur CO. Trail is found on All Trails APP. You can also search Spruce Mountain Open Space, Douglas County for more information.

 

Difficulty: Moderate

Starting Elevation:

Elevation Gain: 557’

Distance: 5.3 miles

 

Description: Just East of the Rampart Range section of the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains the plains limestone buttes rise randomly across the plains. One of the largest of these rocky islands is Spruce Mountain, situated west of I-25 and north of the small town of Palmer Lake, CO. Spruce Mtn. provides a delightful opportunity to enjoy views of Pikes Peak, Rampart Range, the Greenland Open Space, and the Palmer Divide. Douglas County has provided an excellent trailhead which includes a toilet. From the trailhead you can ascend to the top of the butte by a long shallow trail or by a short steep trail. The longer trail adds about a half mile to your hike. On the top of the butte is a shaded loop trail that allows for a tranquil

walk among pine and fir groves. Punctuating the stillness, in the spring and summer, is a riot of wildflowers. The trail eventually takes you to Windy Point, where you can look over the edge at the valley 200 ft below or look out to the south and marvel at Pike's Peak. From the parking lot/trailhead on S. Spruce Mountain Rd we will discover the 5.3-mile Spruce Mountain loop trail. Hiking Eagle Pass Trail and Spruce Mountain Trail. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 2 h 7 min to complete. This is a very popular area for hiking, horseback riding, and snowshoeing, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. The best times to visit this trail are March through November.

 

 

July 17th Monarch Crest Trail (Grant Schemmel)

 

Nearest City: Maysville

 

Directions to trailhead: From Village Inn go west on Hwy 50 (80 miles) through Salida and Poncha Springs. Follow Hwy 50 west until you reach the top of Monarch Pass. Park in the lot on the south side of the road by the small gray building.

 

Difficulty: Moderate due to elevation

Starting Elevation: 10833’

Elevation Gain: 1047’

Distance: 2.8(ish) Miles in and out

 

Description: We will catch the trailhead behind the small gray building and follow it up through trees until it joins up with a forest road. Follow the forest road continuing South and paralleling the continental divide. We will go around the slope of 12,205’ Mt. Peck up to the point where the trail meets just short of the continental divide. At this point it should be about 2.8 mi and the group can then decide to continue further or turn around and return the way we came. Expect truly impressive views of both sides of the continental divide.

 

 

 

 

 

 

July 24th Lewis Creek #1331 (Randy Babb)

 

Nearest City: Wetmore

 

Directions to Trailhead: From Canon City go east to CO 67 and turn right (south). Proceed to Hwy 115 (Main St. Florence) and go left. Turn right on 67 and proceed south to Wetmore. Turn right on Hwy 96 and continue 3 miles to Forest Rd indicating Lewis Creek T.H. on right. Proceed to trail head at the end. (High Clearance Vehicle recommended)

 

Difficulty: Moderate/Hard

Starting Elevation: 6800 ft.

Elevation Gain: 1300 ft.

Distance: 4 miles in and out

 

Description: Two miles of the 4.7 mile trail is in heavy timber and follows Lewis Creek drainage. The water flow is sporadic – disappearing at times but about 5 crossings possible. Steady elevation gain is about 12%.

 

 

July 31st Newlin Creek

 

Nearest City: Florence

 

Directions to Trailhead: From Canon City go east to CO 67 and turn right (south). Proceed to Hwy 115 (Main St. Florence) and go left. Turn right on 67 and proceed south 4.3 miles to County Rd 15. Turn west and follow the road to Florence Mountain View Park. Follow the road 3-4 miles to trailhead.

 

 

 

Difficulty: Moderate/Hard

Starting Elevation: 6993 ft.

Elevation Gain: 1570’

Distance: 5.4 miles in and out

 

Description: The trail follows Newlin Creek (the actual creek is very small). Expect 18 stream crossings on the way to the top. There are numerous waterfalls to explore as you hike the trail through a pine forest. The hike ends at a sawmill built by Nathaniel Herrick in the late 1800’s. The steam boiler and flywheel are still at the site. The mill was abandoned and never operated due to Herrick’s untimely death. Remains of Herrick’s cabin (the fireplace is just about all that remains) can be found about 100 yards further down the trail past the mill site.

 

June 5th Marion Mine

June 12th Horsethief Falls/Pancake Rock

June 19th Venable Falls

June 26th St Charles Creek Falls & St Charles Peak

 

 

June 5th Marion Mine

 

Distance: 4.16 miles in and out

Difficulty: Moderate/Hard

Starting Elevation: 8851 ft

Elevation Gain: 1047 ft

 

Nearest City: San Isabel

 

Directions: From Canon City go east on Hwy 50 to CO 67 and turn right (south). Proceed to Hwy 115 (Main St in Florence) and go left. Turn right on 67 and proceed south to Wetmore. Turn Right on Hwy 96 and continue 11.1 miles to Hwy 165 (Greenhorn Highway) and turn left. Drive 18.3 miles to the east side of Lake Isabel and turn right at the Lake Isabel recreational entrance. Shortly after you turn onto the park entrance road you will find a guard shack. There is a daily forest service fee unless you have a pass or a National Park Golden Age Pass. Continue past the guard shack about 1.9 miles to the Cisneros 1314 Trailhead.

 

The Hike: The trail follows the Cisneros Trail #1314 for the first mile. For the first ½ mile the trail follows the north side of the St. Charles River Ravine. The ascent in this section is moderate. The trail intersects with the St. Charles Trail – stay on the Cisneros Trail. After about another .5 miles the trail intersects with the Marion Mine Trail. The Cisneros Trail heads southwest (the Marion Mine Trail has a small sign indicating the trail and heads northwest). Follow the trail about .45 miles to the cabin (check out the area for other cabin ruins). Continue .21 miles to the mine. Follow a trail located behind the mine to a small waterfall. Great views of the valleys along the trail.

 

 

 

 

 

June 12th Horsethief Falls/Pancake Rock

 

Distance: 6.6 miles in and out

Difficulty: Moderate/Hard

Starting Elevation: 9711 ft

Elevation Gain: 1692 ft

 

Nearest City: Divide

 

Directions: From Canon City go west on highway 50 CO 9 and turn right (north), Turn right onto County Rd 11 and continue to Teller County Rd 1 and turn right to Cripple Creek, From Cripple Creek take Hwy 67 north out of town to the trailhead located by the Little Ike Tunnel – Little Ike Tunnel is an old single lane tunnel that was in use before the current Hwy 67 was established.

 

The Hike: The trail starts going up steeply for about .8 miles then it somewhat levels out. At about 1.85 miles the trail to Pancake Rock joins with the Horsethief Falls trail. At this point it is about ¾ miles to the falls. The trail to Pancake Rock is approximately 2 miles in length and adds about 1,141 feet of elevation gain. This is an in and out trail returning to the intersection of Horsethief Falls trail. Continue up the trail to the falls. Return to the trail head by returning on Horsethief Falls Trail.

 

Note: Horsethief Falls Trail ends at the falls. The trail does continue past the falls and becomes Sentinel Point Trail. Sentinel point trail is about 5.8 miles long with an altitude gain of 2772 feet. The trail does loop back to the Horsethief Trail. Sentinel Trail is generally considered a challenging trail.

 

 

June 19th Venable Falls

 

Distance: 5 miles in and out

Difficulty: Hard

Starting Elevation: 9043 ft

Elevation Gain: 1440 ft

 

Nearest City: Westcliffe

Directions: From Canon City go east on Hwy 50 to CO 67 and turn right (south). Proceed to Hwy 115 (Main St in Florence) and go left. Turn right on 67 and proceed south to Wetmore. Turn Right on Hwy 96 and continue to CO 69 (in Westcliffe) and turn left (east) onto CO 69. Proceed east to County #140 (Schoolfield Rd.) and turn right. Follow it past the Alvarado Campground to the trailhead.

 

The Hike: The trail to the falls starts at the west side of the parking area. The trail is a steep rocky trail with some loose rock. The trail to the falls is a good work out due to the beginning altitude and the 1440 feet altitude gain. Make sure to explore the falls as most hikers will agree the climb is worth the effort. Return to the parking area by backtracking the trail. If you hike up to the falls and you still have some energy you can continue up the trail for another 2.5 to 3 miles to the Venable lakes area.

 

 

 

June 26 St. Charles Creek Falls and St. Charles Peak

 

The St. Charles Creek Falls is found at the rear of the campground off Ophir Rd. It is a short hike following the creek to the falls. We will hike to the falls then continue to the St. Charles Peak trailhead and hike to the top of St. Charles Peak.

 

Distance: 7.78 mi

Difficulty: Hard

Starting Elevation: 11,203 ft

Elevation Gain/Loss: 585 ft

 

Nearest City: San Isabel

 

Directions: From Canon City go east on Hwy 50 to CO 67 and turn right (south). Proceed to Hwy 115 (Main St in Florence) and go left. Turn right on 67 and proceed south to Wetmore. Turn Right on Hwy 96 and continue 11.1 miles to Hwy 165 (Greenhorn Highway) and turn left. Drive 10 miles to Ophir Creek Road (County 360) and follow it for 8.1 miles to County 369. Turn left and follow County 369 about 2 miles to the St. Charles Trailhead.

The Hike: A dirt road (Forest Road 335) starts at the northwest side of the parking area. Walk up this road about 300 feet to a wire gate. Pass through the gate and follow the road as it winds through the forest. At about 2.1 miles you will find a sign designating the St. Charles Trail. Take the trail to the left. In .15 miles you will find another wood sign – at this point take the trail to the left. Continue for about .5 miles coming to an old hitching pole structure. This is a good place to bushwhack up to the top of the peak. The views from the peak are amazing. There is a rock pile at the top where you will find a plastic jar where you can leave your name. Retrace your route back to the parking area.

 

 

May Hike Leaders:

Judy

Grant

 

 

May 1^st Undine Falls

May 8^th Browns Creek Falls

May 15^th Newlin Creek

May 22^nd Crystal Falls (updated – replacing Balman Reservoir Loop)

May 29^th Harvey Carter Falls

 

 

May 1^st Undine Falls

 

Distance: 3.4 mi. + optional 3 mi.

Difficulty: Easy

Starting Elevation: 7,520 ft

Elevation Gain: 760 ft

 

Nearest City: Colorado Springs

 

Directions to the hike: 1 hr 4 min and 48 miles from Canon City. Depart Canon City on Hwy. 50 East exiting to Hwy 115 North. Follow Hwy 115 North to the intersection of Cheyenne Blvd., then turn left. Follow Cheyenne Blvd. West, thru a couple of roundabouts and making a slight right onto N Cheyenne Canyon Rd. Continue 3 mi, past Helen Hunt Falls parking lot and parking in the large lot where the pavement ends.

 

The Hike: If you have spikes or chains for your shoes, you may want to bring them along for this hike. Follow the Gravel Gold Camp Road across N Cheyenne Creek then turn off to the right onto Seven Bridges Trail (Trail #622). There is a sign after a short distance that gives distances. From there, follow the left side of the creek and cross a total of seven bridges from one side of the creek to the other and passing rapids in the creek. Just past the 7^th bridge, go left and stay alongside the creek then take a sharp switchback to the right at the sign for Trail #622 and continue the ascent along Kineo Mountain. Undine Falls flows over slabs on the left side of the trail. Extra credit for those not afraid of really skinny trails with loose gravel slopes – continue past the falls an additional 1.5 miles to a mountain meadow at Jones Park on connecting trail #667 and the ruins of historic Loud’s Cabin past the North end of the meadow.

 

 

May 8^th Browns Creek Falls

 

Distance: 5.8 mi

Difficulty: Moderate

Starting Elevation: 8,980 ft

Elevation Gain: 850 ft

 

Nearest City: Nathrop

 

Directions to the hike: 1 hr 44 min and 78 mi. From the Village Inn, head West on Hwy 50 to Poncha Springs then turn right onto Hwy 285 North. Continue North to Nathrop and turn left onto Co. Rd. 270. The road turns to gravel at 1.5 mi and you continue straight to get onto C. Rd. 272. Bear left after 2 miles then another 1.6 mi to Browns Creek Trail head.

 

The Hike: From the trailhead parking lot, head out on the trail past the outhouse and the sign with the maps on it. Follow the trail signs for Browns Creek Trail past the two intersections where the Colorado trail joins and then exits the trail. There will be a couple of log bridges to cross, then a wide spot in the creek. At this point, turn right and follow the creek around the bend where there will be another log bridge so you won’t have to get your feet wet. Shortly after this there will be hitching posts then a little further, a stump with the word “Falls” carved in it and an arrow pointing to the left. Follow the indicated trail and after a short uphill climb the falls will be visible. Return the same way we came in.

 

 

May 15^th Newlin Creek

 

Distance: 6.2 mi

Difficulty: Moderate/Hard

Starting Elevation: 6,788 ft

Elevation Gain: 2,125 ft

 

Nearest City: Florence

 

Directions: 21 miles and 32 min. From the Village Inn, proceed East on Hwy 50 until the intersection of Hwy 67 then turn right. Follow Hwy 67 into Florence then turn left onto Hwy 115 at the traffic light. Follow Hwy 115 East to the next traffic light and Hwy 67 then turn right.

Continue on Hwy 67 to Co. Rd. 5 and signs for Florence Mountain Park, turn right. Continue on Co. Rd. 5 West, following signs for Florence Mountain Park and the Newlin Creek trail head. The road will end at the trail head parking lot.

 

The Hike: The trail is easy for the first .5 mi, then becomes moderate with many water crossings depending on the water level in the creek. All crossings can be made on rocks or logs unless the water level is really high. At the end there is a meadow with the remains of a steam engine and some cabin foundations. The return will be by the same way we came up.

 

 

May 22nd Crystal Falls (updated – replacing Balman Reservoir Loop)

 

Distance: 6.4 mi

Difficulty: Moderate

Starting Elevation: 9260 ft

Elevation Gain: 725 ft

 

Nearest City: Westcliffe

 

Directions to the hike: 1 hr and 26 min. and 66 mi. from Canon City. From the Village Inn, take Hwy 50 West to Texas Creek and CO Hwy 69 then turn left. Follow Hwy 69 South through Westcliffe. From Westcliffe, go South 4.5 miles then turn right onto Colfax Lane (Co. Rd. 119). Drive 5.6 miles to a T intersection then turn left onto So. Colony Lakes Rd (Co. Rd. 120) and go another 0.7 miles to rejoin Co. Rd. 119. Go 4.5 miles and enter the San Isabel National Forest to parking at the Grape Creek Trailhead.

The hike follows the Rainbow Trail Northwards going in and out of the forest and through meadows. If we are lucky, there will be Crocus flowers still out and Grouse to see. The hike follows the Rainbow Trail Northwards going in and out of the forest and through meadows. If we are lucky, there will be Crocus flowers still out and Grouse to see. The first mile has a moderate climb of around 350 ft then it’s a long gradual descent to the Falls. There is one minor water crossing with rocks to step on, then another crossing for Crystal Falls Creek. Immediately after the creek turn left on the obvious trail and it’s a short distance to the actual Falls following the North side of the Creek. Return the same way we came in.

to the actual Falls following the North side of the Creek. Return the same way we came in.

 

 

May 28^th Harvey Carter Falls

 

Distance: 4 mi

Difficulty: Moderate

Starting Elevation: 10,220 ft

Elevation Gain: 40 ft

 

Nearest City: Divide

 

Directions: 1 hr 27 min and 63 mi. from Canon City. From Village Inn, take Hwy 50 West to Hwy 9 North. Continue on Hwy 9 North to the intersection of High Park Rd. turn North. Follow High Park Rd. for 18.5 mi then turn right onto Co. Rd. 11. Continue on Co. Rd. 11 for 4 mi then turn left onto Co. Rd. 1. Continue on Co. Rd. 1 for 6 mi then turn right onto Twin Rocks Rd. Take Twin Rocks Rd. for 5.8 mi then turn right onto Hwy 24. Follow Hwy 24 East for 1.5 mi then turn right onto Hwy 67 South. Follow Hwy 67 for 4.2 mi, just past Mueller State Park turn left onto unpaved FR 383 and follow signs for Crags Campground. Drive 3.8 mi on FR 383 past the Mennonite Camp and the Crags Campground to parking at the end of the forest road. The trail head is on the WSW corner of the parking lot.

 

The Hike: From the trail head, follow the green trail markers denoting a CCW direction on the Ring The Peak trail system and avoid unmarked trails. After reaching a switchback to the left near the trail high point you cross an aspen grove and a flat open area. There are two more switchbacks, a left and a right then a couple of creek crossings. At the next right switchback you may be able to hear the falls. Leave the trail for a wide path straight ahead which leads to the base of the waterfall. There are trails on both sides of the falls that lead towards the top, which is about 0.2 mi and 150 ft up. Return by the same way we came in.

 

 

 

 

Hike Leaders April 2024: Sandy and Bob Dorr

sandydorr@gmail.com

719-252-3757

falconcliff@gmail.com

303-817-5602

 

ALL HIKES BEGIN AT 9 AM AT THE CANON CITY VILLAGE INN

 

April 3rd Clear Spring Ranch El Paso County Open Space

April 10th West Camino Pablo Avenue State Park/SWA Access

April 17th Pueblo Reservoir SWA Northwest

April 24th Arkansas Valley Conduit. “Ten Trail” Lake Pueblo SWA

 

April 3rd Clear Spring Ranch El Paso County Open Space

Directions: 1 hr 7 min and 54 miles from Canon City. Clear Spring Ranch Open Space can be reached from Interstate 25, Exit 123; proceed to east side of Interstate, cross the railroad tracks, and enter the property heading East. The parking lot is on the north side of the entrance road.

HWY 50 E. to Purcell. Purcell N/E to I-25, exit 108 (tunnel). I-25 N. to Exit 123. At the exit proceed East to parking lot.

Search Clear Spring Ranch for more detailed information.

https://communityservices.elpasoco.com/parks-and-recreation/clear-spring-ranch/

Nearest City: Fountain

Difficulty: Easy

Starting Elevation:

Elevation Gain:

Distance: 4 Miles

Description: Owned by Colorado Springs Utilities and managed by El Paso County Parks, Clear Spring Ranch Open Space is a 930-acre linear park situated along Fountain Creek south and the city of Fountain. This open space features active farming, grasslands and foothills ecosystems and riparian habitat as well as the southernmost extent of the Fountain Creek Regional Trail and Colorado Front Range Trail in El Paso County. Besides four miles of trails, the recreation facilities include a pavilion, picnic tables, restroom, and parking.

TRAIL USERS, PLEASE NOTE: Clear Spring Ranch Open Space contains active farming. Please stay out of farm fields and farm homestead and remain on all marked trails and roads. The Fountain Creek Regional Trail / Front Range Trail is located nearest the creek.

Search Clear Spring Ranch for more detailed information.

https://communityservices.elpasoco.com/parks-and-recreation/clear-spring-ranch/

 

April 10th West Camino Pablo Avenue State Park/SWA Access

Nearest City: Pueblo

Directions: HWY 50 East to S. McCulloch Blvd. W. Turn right onto McCulloch; follow to S. Avenida del Oro West. (storage facility). Turn right onto S. Avenida del Oro West; follow to W. Camino Pablo Ave. Turn right and follow to parking lot at the end.

Difficulty: Easy/Moderate

Starting Elevation:

Elevation Gain: 400 ft

Distance: 5+/- miles

Description: Hike begins in the State Park Access parking lot at the West end of W. Camino Pablo Avenue in Pueblo West. Trails are on Lake Pueblo State Park and SWA properties on the North side of the Lake in Pueblo West. Hike will follow social trails from the parking lot in a northwest direction crossing Turkey Creek and back using multiple trails. There will be some bushwacking. Rolling Hills; easy creek crossing; short climbs; views.

 

April 17th Pueblo Reservoir SWA Northwest

Nearest City: Pueblo

Directions: HWY 115 to HWY 67 in Florence, Co. Turn South on HWY 67 to Wetmore. At Wetmore turn East onto HWY 96. Follow HWY 96 to the Pueblo State Wildlife Area (SWA) Rd. Turn North and follow paved road to the entrance to the SWA. (on left). Gravel Road; Signs; Gate. Turn Left or West and follow gravel approx. 8 miles to the very end, to a parking lot (Trail Head).

Difficulty: Easy

Starting Elevation:

Elevation Gain: flat

Distance: 6 miles

Description: Hike begins at the farthest West parking lot in the State Wildlife area off HWY 96. Approx. 8 miles in from HWY 96.

This is a flat in and out trail along the old railroad bed of the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad. This was once narrow gauge track which hauled coal from Florence to Pueblo Steel mill.

Easy hiking along the Arkansas river. Good views of the river and bottom lands.

 

April 24th Arkansas Valley Conduit. “Ten Trail” Lake Pueblo SWA

Nearest City: Pueblo

Directions: From Canon City: HWY 115 to HWY 67 in Florence, Co. Turn South onto 67 and proceed to Wetmore, Co. at Wetmore, turn East or left onto HWY 96. Continue East until you arrive at the Entrance to Lake Pueblo (SWA) Rd. Turn North/left and follow paved road to the entrance to the SWA. (on left). Gravel road; signs; gate. Turn Left or West and follow gravel road approximately 5 miles to parking in area of the Vault Toilet.

Difficulty: Moderate

Starting Elevation:

Elevation Gain: Flat with rolling hills and some steep areas

Distance: 4 miles

Description: Built by Colorado Fuel and Iron in the early 1900’s to provide a water supply for the Pueblo Steel Mill. The construction of the conduit seemed to be an engineering marvel. The conduit was built for $850,000 and it was 37 miles long and it carried 70 to 80 cfs, or over 52 million gallons of water per day. The headgate was located just below Florence, Co. In all, 27 siphons were constructed to carry the water down and then up, at times through very deep arroyos. 43,000 ft of pipe was built through rough terrain. In addition, five tunnels had to be bored for the ditch to reach its target reservoir #3 at Stem Beach. Use of the Arkansas Valley Conduit ended in 1944 with the collapse of a major syphon. Other maintenance, such as ice buildup was an issue. Water was then diverted into the newly constructed Minnequa Canal.

THE HIKE will be 4 miles in length. It will be a combination of two tracks, then rolling hills with Cedar/Pinion. After two miles we will connect to the Ten Trail and follow this old trail through and around part of the old conduit. This section is near 2 miles. There are some steep grades. The views are awesome and the history is very interesting. We will be doing some minor bushwacking through weeds.

 

 

 

Hike Leaders for March 2024

Jane Chess Ph: 719-371-4034, janechess5@gmail.com

Kris Gunsten Ph: 540-797-4123, askcg@aol.com

 

 

ALL HIKES MEET AT 9 AM AT THE CANON CITY VILLAGE INN

 

March 6th   Overlook Trail, Seep Springs Area

March 13th   The Anthill (Cope’s Nipple), Marsh Quarry Area

March 20th Island in the Sky, Oil Well Flats Area

March 27th Booger Red, High Park Area

 

 

March 6th   Overlook Trail, Seep Springs Area

Nearest City: Canon City

Directions to Trailhead: From Canon City Village Inn drive west on Hwy 50 for 5.1 miles to CR 69 (3 Mile Rd). Go north 7.1 miles past Wilson Creek and Stone House. Turn right and continue to 5830E and park here.

 

Beginning Elevation:  6650’

Elevation Gain:

Difficulty:  Moderate .  Some rocky parts, short hills and a short bushwhack across a ravine

Hike Length:  about 3 mile

 

Description: We will hike on 5830E to T5830C to T5830B. There are beautiful views, and a large cairn with an old hand-made cross on it, with some evidence of solar lights. We will continue hiking to the intersection with 5830F and turn L and walk a few yards to a narrow ledge which looks over Garden Park. From here we will hike on 5830F to T5830B, turn Right. We will bushwhack across a small canyon, back up to 5830E and back to the cars.

 

March 13th  The Anthill (Cope’s Nipple), Marsh Quarry Area

Nearest City: Canon City

​

Directions to Trailhead: From Village Inn, travel 3.6 miles to Red Canyon Rd, where Field ends. At 4.6 miles, across the cattle guard, the road becomes Garden Park Rd. At 5.1 miles, look to the Left, you will see a plaque describing the first Oil Well in the West, the second place in the US to produce petroleum from wells, discovered in 1862. At 6.4 miles there are some Native American writings on a rock, which unfortunately have been defaced with graffiti. At 7.3 miles there is parking on the Left, by a “Marsh Quarry” sign, we park here.

 

Difficulty:  1st and 3rd mile are difficult up a steep rocky hill and then back down the same hill

Starting Elevation:  5500’

Elevation Gain: 660’

Distance:  3.3 miles 

 

Description: The first and last parts of this hike are the same as Mary took us last year in May. From the parking area we will hike to the right a short distance on fairly level ground, then we will hike up a steep rocky trail past an area where dinosaur fossils were discovered in 1877. At about .8 miles we will turn right and bushwhack towards the Anthill. We will break there, then continue a short distance to view a small dinosaur quarry. We will continue out to trail #5935E and #5935, then down a draw which leads downhill to the trail we came up on, through Marsh Quarry, and back to the cars.

 

 

March 20thth   Island in the Sky and Bentonite Mine, Oil Flats Area

Nearest City:  Canon City

 

Directions to trailhead: From Village Inn, go 3.6 miles to Red Canyon Rd, then at 4.6, across the cattle guard, the road turns into Garden Park Rd. At 7.1 miles, turn R into Oil Well Flats, stay to the L on the dirt road, past the parking lots. We will park at 8.4 miles.​

​

Difficulty: Moderate

Starting Elevation:  

Elevation Gain:  848’

Distance: 6.3 Miles 

 

Description: Walk through the Red Gate, through the Bentonite Mine area, then on towards Island in the Sky. We will do it counter clockwise. Beautiful views.

 

 

March 27  Booger Red​

Nearest City: Canon City, Colorado

 

Directions to Trailhead: Take Hwy 50 west from Canon City to State Highway 9, 10.3 miles from Village Inn. Drive north on SH 9 to County Road 11 for 8.3 miles. Drive west for 14.75 miles on CR 11 to Road 5808 on south side of CR 11. (There is a large cross on the right on top of a small hill just as we reach CR 5808. Turn R at the 30 MPH and Left Curve signs. It’s a dirt road. It’s hard to notice.) We will pass through an open (BLM) green gate after .1 miles. Continue past the gate for 0.9 miles where you will encounter another gate. Continue for .26 miles to a grassy parking area. The unmarked trail begins at the gate west of the BLM information sign. Open this gate and close it after you pass through. The driving distance is about 34 miles one way.

 

Difficulty:  Moderate

Starting Elevation:  7784 ft.

Elevation Gain:  300 ft.

Distance:  4.7 miles 

 

Description:  Follow an old two track uphill for a short distance through an open forest of scrub oak and scattered pinion. The trail enters a large mountain meadow with panoramic views of the surrounding mountains. Continuing south, you will see a trail marker where the trail splits, with one trail going along the plateau to the east and the other continues along the plateau to the south. Follow the eastern trail. As it leaves the meadow, it enters a thin strip of open forest then enters into another long meadow. The trail follows the eastern edge of this meadow close to the border of a pinion and ponderosa pine forest. At the southern end of the meadow, the trail enters the forest and continues southeast along the edge of a deep ravine. There are open locations along this section of the trail with magnificent views of the canyon and mountains beyond. At .6 there is an old mine shaft on the Left. At .95 there is a very nice view on the Left. We will do a loop and return to parking area and cars, then an additional out and back to an old cabin.

 

 

February

 

Hike Leaders for February 2024

Howard Rees: howardrees18@gmail.com

620-338-5098

Mike Johnson: esausdad@yahoo.com

719-429-9670

 

ALL HIKES MEET AT 9 AM AT THE CANON CITY VILLAGE INN

 

 

February 7th  South Canon Trails

February 14th Aiken Canyon

February 21st Red Canyon Park, The Narrows

February 28th Section 13, Lamba Chops and Hot Shot

 

 

NOTE:  February is sometimes a snowy month so be prepared.  If you have microspikes for your boots be sure to bring them.

 

February 7th South Canon Trails

Direction: From 1st Street drive south to Temple Canyon Rd.  Turn west and proceed to the parking lot at the Redemption trailhead.  Total driving distance about 3 miles

 

Nearest City:  Canon City

 

Difficulty:  Easy

Starting Elevation:  5800’

Elevation Gain:  400’

Distance:  5 miles

 

Description: The hike is about a 5 mile loop along the Redemption, Hard Time and Shiv trails.

 

 

February 14th   Aiken Canyon

 

Nearest City:  Penrose

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Directions:  Highway 50 east to Penrose.  North on 115 about 18 miles to Turkey Creek Rd and the trailhead

 

Difficulty:  Easy 

Starting Elevation:  6500’

Elevation Gain:  400’

Distance:  3.25 mile loop

 

Description: The hike is a fairly easy loop of about 3.25 miles with an option of adding about 2 additional miles hiking up canyon to an old homestead.   

 

 

February 21st    Red Canyon Park – The Narrows 

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Nearest City:  Canon City

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Directions:  Take Field Ave north of Canon City until it reaches Red Canyon Rd.  Continue north for 7 miles to Red Canyon Park.

 

Difficulty:  Easy   

Starting Elevation: 6200’

Elevation Gain:  370’

Distance:  3.25 miles

 

Description:  The hike follows a wash thru a narrow redrock canyonbefore topping out at the road.   Follow the road back or if conditions allow, scramble up to the small arch and then make way back down to the road.  

 

 

 

Febuary 28th Section 13, Lamba Chops and Hot Shots

 

Nearest City:  Canon City 

 

Directions:  Same driving directions as February 7th.   First street to Temple Canyon Rd.  Then west to the Redemption parking lot.   Trail starts across the road.

Difficulty: Moderate to easy  

Starting Elevation: 5900’

Elevation Gain: 500’

Distance: 3.25 and 2.25 mile loops – 5.5 miles if you do both

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Description: Lamba Chops is the lower loop and is about 3.25 miles.  Hikers can then turn back or continue up Hot Shorts for an additional 2.25 mile loop and top out at about 6400 feet before continuing down to rejoin Lamba Chops.