Farrar Loop

In 2010, El Paso County finalized a master plan for 1,000-plus acres of open space in Black Forest. But a few years later, a wildfire left the ground and pines hazardous ー casting the future of Pineries Open Space in doubt. 

Flash forward to a celebration in 2020. Finally, a 9-mile loop trail opened to people on foot, bikes and horseback. Flash forward again to 2024, when the county introduced Farrar Trail, a shorter option. 

Then flash forward to one recent morning, when we arrived at a once-decimated scene now bustling with long-distance runners, cyclists, equestrians and families better served by the Farrar Loop. That was our loop of choice, exploring parts of Pineries Open Space burned but mostly still green. 

Facing the trailhead, we started the loop by going right, south. The wide path meets singletrack across the entrance road and proceeds by the fenceline of private property. Ahead is the first of several footbridges along the route, built to protect wetlands. 

The trail parallels Shoup Road in the near distance before veering into a meadow, where birdsong prevails over the sound of traffic. The early stretch traversed the burn scar, while the next stretch runs under the towering canopy that was spared. While only about 1 ½ miles away from Black Forest’s main roads, the dense pines lend to a remote feeling. 

Our tracker showed that distance at a mostly dry pocket mapped as Frog Pond. At the intersection, Farrar Loop continues to the left. 

The path widens through more mature woods and continues straight across private ranch roads. Our tracker showed 2.75 miles at an uphill “T.” We went left, back to the parking lot, which we returned to find full this Saturday morning. 

Trip log: 3.4 miles (loop), 197 feet elevation gain

Getting there: Trailhead at 13201 Vollmer Road, near corner of Vollmer and Shoup Road.

FYI: Open 5 a.m.-9 p.m. April-October; 6 a.m.-6 p.m. November-March. Multi-use trails, no motors. Dogs on leash. Directions, trail map and more information at parks.elpasoco.com/parks-and-recreation/pineries-open-space

SETH BOSTER, THE GAZETTE