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A pretty steep hike to the peak with incredible views of the mountains and prairie.


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Map Key

2.3

Miles

3.7

KM

Point to Point

9,244' 2,818 m

High

7,117' 2,169 m

Low

2,130' 649 m

Up

3' 1 m

Down

18%

Avg Grade (10°)

89%

Max Grade (42°)

Dogs Leashed

Features Views · Waterfall

The City of Colorado Springs has worked to close undesignated, trails around the CSU water tower. If you wish to access the Pike National Forest, please do so by using the Hummingbird Trail, 0.25 miles to the south on the Blodgett Trail. Dogs are required to be leashed on City property at all times.

Description

The trail can be pretty confusing as it forks quite often. As far as I know, almost all of them lead to the top. It starts on a gravel road, turns to a gravel path, then turns to a steep dirt singletrack, and finally ends with large talus fields. The top is spectacular and surprisingly prominent with views in every direction.

The first half of the trail is a mix of dirt road and well maintained (gravely) trails. It is possible to cut across some of the loops in the road by taking a couple of the marked trails along the sides.

As you get to the end of the easy trails it gets very steep and follows the little stream for awhile. Once you start to get to the end of the ravine, you go up deer trails, occasional people trails that suddenly end, and talus fields all the way to the top. It's easy to lose sight of "the trail", but don't worry, you just keep going up until you're at the summit. The summit is really cool; it overlooks the mountains to the west and the prairie to the east.

There's pretty high traffic at the beginning in the open space area, but most people don't continue once it gets steep.

Contacts

Shared By:

Joshua Wells

Trail Ratings

  3.9 from 25 votes

#804

Overall
  3.9 from 25 votes
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Trail Rankings

#131

in Colorado

#804

Overall
28 Views Last Month
8,736 Since Jun 14, 2015
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Photos

Panorama facing east at the summit.
Jun 14, 2015 near Air For…, CO
From the summit looking over the Academy
May 27, 2018 near Air For…, CO
View of Colorado Springs and Pikes Peak.
Jun 14, 2015 near Air For…, CO
A view from the false summit
May 10, 2018 near Air For…, CO
Pikes Peak as seen from the summit.
May 10, 2018 near Air For…, CO
The waterfall is also nice in winter. #nomad_dave
Dec 9, 2019 near Air For…, CO
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Check-Ins

Apr 10, 2022
Sean wadleigh
Nov 25, 2021
Jack Wilson
May 1, 2021
Brandon Bell
Mar 24, 2021
Adam Resnick
Feb 7, 2021
Chris Rice
Jan 30, 2021
Rob Pressly
Jul 3, 2020
Brandon Bell
4.6mi — 2h 40m
Jun 27, 2020
Stephen Smith
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