Tag: happy trails
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Happy Trails: A hike between waterfalls in hills west of Colorado Springs
Thomas Trail West of Colorado Springs, the town of Green Mountain Falls lists Catamount Trail as “the Gem of GMF trails.” But not to be missed is a trail that connects to the lower part of that gem ー one that helped spark something of a trail revolution in this scenic little town. That’s the…
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Happy Trails: Amid buzz of new ‘Bike Hill’ in Colorado Springs, a multi-use trail not to miss
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…
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Happy Trails: A loop to appreciate Cheyenne Mountain in Colorado Springs
Blackmer Trail forms one of Cheyenne Mountain State Park’s premier loops. And like other trails here at the base of the granite marvel on Colorado Springs’ south side, you can bet on solitude. Consistently whenever we visit, it seems to us hikers and mountain bikers overlook the park, opting instead for busy destinations across the…
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Happy Trails: A newer loop between the pines of Black Forest
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…
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Happy Trails in Summit County: Put this hike on your list for fall colors, leading to scenic lake
Meadow Creek Trail to Lily Pad Lake On our last visit to Summit County, our first stop was the Meadow Creek Trail. The path climbs through towering aspen, and we only wished it was autumn, so we could be surrounded by the golden glow. Next time, we told ourselves ー perhaps mid-September, when fall colors…
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Happy Trails: Getting off the road for more trail time to popular waterfall in Colorado Springs
Bruin Trail to Silver Cascade One of Colorado Springs’ most popular outdoor destinations is Helen Hunt Falls at the busy parking lot in North Cheyenne Cañon Park. Parking often fills in the summer, preventing the opportunity to continue on Silver Cascade Trail that climbs above Helen Hunt Falls to one of the city’s best overlooks. …
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Happy Trails: Exploring wild backside of Red Rock Canyon Open Space in Colorado Springs
Sand Canyon Trail One can spend years in Colorado Springs and still discover new trails in one of the city’s most popular recreation hubs. We were reminded of this at our last visit to Red Rock Canyon Open Space. Of course we’ve been long familiar with Contemplative Trail, which tours geology on the open space’s…
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Happy Trails: Panoramic views meet a Skyspace at Red Butte west of Colorado Springs
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…
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Happy Trails: A troll surprise in a Wild West-reminiscent Colorado town
Why venture to the silent, remote town of Victor in Teller County? For a different view of this state, seemingly far removed from this resort era. For something grittier and more authentic, more like the Wild West. And for a troll. Yes, Victor’s main attraction just might be Rita the Rock Planter, the wooden sculpture…
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Happy Trails: A troll surprise in a Wild West-reminiscent Colorado town
Why venture to the silent, remote town of Victor in Teller County? For a different view of this state, seemingly far removed from this resort era. For something grittier and more authentic, more like the Wild West. And for a troll. Yes, Victor’s main attraction just might be Rita the Rock Planter, the wooden sculpture…