North Chamberlain Trail

In its debut summer, the Blodgett Bike Hill appeared to be a hit. This is the hill on the north side of Colorado Springs that, as part of an expanded Blodgett Open Space, has drawn mountain bikers to lap some 7 miles of downhill bike-only trail ranging from fast and flowy to steep and rocky. Indeed, a bustling scene has emerged here at the Quarry Trailhead, adjacent to the historic Pikeview Quarry that is growing grass from reclamation. 

But lost in the mountain biking hype has been a new stretch of multi-use trail that adds to a dream many years in the making. 

Crossing the bridge from the trailhead, people on foot can either veer up for the Bike Hill’s “climbing trail” or continue on North Chamberlain Trail. This is the new, northernmost segment of the Chamberlain Trail that has been envisioned to span the city’s backdrop from Blodgett Peak to Cheyenne Mountain. 

Segments have steadily been added to parks and open spaces south of Blodgett. When might the full trail be realized? Uncertain. 

But one can dream on the new North Chamberlain Trail ー while enjoying new connections to the broader Blodgett Open Space. The map posted at the Quarry Trailhead shows various possibilities tying into the network to the north. 

As for Chamberlain itself, it starts beside a grassy hillside and gently ventures to wild-feeling woods of oak and pine. The pointy, craggy Blodgett Peak looms ahead, while Austin Bluffs, Black Forest and the city and plains sprawl under a big sky. 

The trail bends up to view the quarry and foothills running to Cheyenne Mountain. We tracked close to a mile at the marked turn for one overlook. Another is a quarter mile ahead, to the left, where Chamberlain culminates with more trails continuing up a ridge. We took in the overlook and went back the way we came. 

Trip log: 2.4 miles out and back, 338 feet elevation gain

Getting there: Quarry Trailhead located at 7250 Allegheny Drive.

FYI: Open 5 a.m.-9 p.m. Chamberlain Trail multi-use. Dogs on leash.

SETH BOSTER, THE GAZETTE