Red Butte Recreation Area

It’s not all green defining the beauty of Green Mountain Falls. It’s also red ー namely Red Butte, the formation jutting between the great, coniferous hills on all sides of this quaint town west of Colorado Springs.

The town is a hiking paradise, boasting the popular Catamount Trail that climbs out to Pikes Peak reservoirs. Lesser known is Red Butte Recreation Area, which showcases two local prides: trails and art. 

Attendees of the Green Box Arts Festival have been known to head up Pittman Trail, as we recently did from the trailhead at the Joyland Church parking lot. The trail ascended a grassy hillside to the first stop of festgoers: a towering installation of color. 

Mostly the eye candy is natural along Pittman Trail: the hills over U.S. 24 before the path crests a ridge for views overlooking the hills and Gazebo Lake of Green Mountain Falls. Atop a switchback, we proceeded left at a sign pointing to the James Turrell Skyspace and at the next junction, we stayed straight for the sign pointing to this next human-made curiosity. 

The square and stone Skyspace’s roof changes color around an open-air oculus during sunrise and sunset shows, which are said to provide “a sensory and contemplative experience unlike anywhere else in the world.” (Tickets and more information are at greenboxarts.org/skyspace.)

The sensory and contemplative experience continues back on the trail. One could proceed down to town or head back up as we did to the familiar junction. Here we veered left for the marked “Pittman Scenic Route.” The stretch lived up to the name, featuring a panorama of the town and promontories marching out toward Woodland Park. 

The path loops back to Pittman Trail and heads down to the parking lot. 

Trip log: 1.6 miles round trip, 305 feet elevation gain 

Getting there: Trailhead at Joyland Church, 10605 Green Mountain Falls Road.

FYI: Trail open dawn to dusk daily. Skyspace is open 8 a.m.-dusk Thursday-Sunday. For more information and a map of Green Mountain Falls trails, go to tinyurl.com/49tshcaw.

SETH BOSTER, THE GAZETTE