Heading To Colorado Soon, Recommend Me Some Great Hikes

[greasy]

My special lady friend and I rented a cabin up in Florissant, CO in April and we wanted to know some great hikes to go on. Seems like there are a lot of options and I know some folks live there or traveled there before. I know it will be "muddy season", hopefully the weather holds out. If not we will be drinking and hot tubbing Assuming the weather is cooperative, what would you recommend doing?

ilikemtb999 RedBeard SpeedSpeak2me

Click to read more...

 

[blakbearddelite]

I don't know if you'll be anywhere near Casa Bonita, but that was always a favorite restaurant that Adam and I went to when we were out there.

Casa Bonita: The definitive guide to Colorado’s world-famous Mexican restaurant

Metaphors, industry expectations, predictions of its demise – they all disappear into the deep fryer when it comes to Casa Bonita, the Denver-area landmark immortalized by “South Park,”…

www.denverpost.com

 

[greasy]

I don't know if you'll be anywhere near Casa Bonita, but that was always a favorite restaurant that Adam and I went to when we were out there.

Casa Bonita: The definitive guide to Colorado’s world-famous Mexican restaurant

Metaphors, industry expectations, predictions of its demise – they all disappear into the deep fryer when it comes to Casa Bonita, the Denver-area landmark immortalized by “South Park,”…

www.denverpost.com

Florissant is right near Pike's Peak, which is about 2 hours away.

That is right outside of Denver, maybe we will hit up there for lunch when we get in. Thanks for the recommendation!

 

[bimmer4life]

anyone flag ilikemtb999 ??? he might know somethings.

 

[Mook]

Has anyone tagged ilikemtb999 ?

 

[Mook]

 

[Yaj Yak]

 

[SpeedSpeak2me]

If it's open, Manitou Incline, a lot of steps (2800+) but worth the accomplishment. It's about 30 miles east of Florissant, on CO-24. Just north of it by a few minutes is Garden of the Gods, which can get really busy during the weekend, making parking really hard to find, but it is an easy walk and very picturesque. South of that is Seven Falls, which you park at the Biltmore and take a shuttle to. Short walk on a paved road to get there, then 224 steps to get to the top. Also worth the scenery.

Naturally you have to do Pikes Peak if you haven't already. There are trails around it that you can hike on.

I have a friend in Colorado Springs, will ask him what he recommends around the area you'll be in.

 

[Bub]

R u driving or flying?

 

[Bob Kazamakis]

Manitou Incline Ultimate Guide - Reservations, Hours & Hike Info - Visit Colorado Springs

Find Manitou Incline reservation information and prepare to conquer the challenging hiking trail, known for rapid elevation gain and panoramic views in Manitou Springs.

www.visitcos.com

The Colorado Springs Convention & Visitors Bureau

The Colorado Springs Convention & Visitors Bureau is the premier marketing organization for Colorado Springs and the Pikes Peak region

www.visitcos.com

Garden of the Gods Park - Visit Colorado Springs

Construction Update: The 30th St. construction will begin fall of 2021, and will likely take around 18 months to complete. For more info and closure updates,

www.visitcos.com

It’ll be snowy

Pikes Peak via Barr Trail

The trail is wide and very accessible from the ascension and descension standpoint. The last mile is the hardest and takes a lot of stamina to conquer the final walk across the boulder field. $10/day parking fee.

www.alltrails.com

This area is probably decently dry, it’s all decomposed granite.

Hiking Seven Bridges Trail - North Cheyenne Canon | Manitou Springs

Seven Bridges Trail is a moderately-difficult 5.78-mile hiking trail in North Cheyenne Cañon. The trail crosses 7 bridges along a mountain stream. Learn more about this hike!

manitousprings.org

waterfall hike https://manitousprings.org/where-to-play/the-broadmoors-seven-falls/

Mt. Cutler - Manitou Springs

A short easy hike for families and hikers of all skill levels! A great option to catch wildflowers in Spring or take in incredible views from the summit.

manitousprings.org

Hiking St. Mary’s Falls - Waterfall Hike in Colorado | Manitou Springs

St. Mary’s Falls is a 5.9-mile hiking trail near Manitou Springs in North Cheyenne Canon Park that features a waterfall. Learn more about this pet-friendly waterfall hike!

manitousprings.org

 

[Bob Kazamakis]

I don’t head down there often due to the shitty fucking drive on i25 but those are some of the places I’ve been. Never done the incline. They made it difficult to actually get to the Barr trail to ride down it these days but one day I’ll get there again.

 

[SpeedSpeak2me]

I don’t head down there often due to the shitty fucking drive on i25 but those are some of the places I’ve been. Never done the incline. They made it difficult to actually get to the Barr trail to ride down it these days but one day I’ll get there again.

Difficult how? Like from the top of the Peak? Thought you could catch it on the SE corner where the cog railway makes the turn to come in behind the building? I saw the trail continue when I finished the stair climb last April, checked the trail map, shit my pants, then took the Barr trail back down to the parking, lol.

Also, greasy, last update regarding the incline, reservations are required. But it looks like post is from last summer.

Manitou Incline Reopens With Reservations – Manitou Incline

www.manitouincline.com

 

[SleeperLS]

Smoke enough weed and it won’t matter where you hike. True story. I was a huge fan of garden of the gods the few times I have been to that area.

 

[PANDA]

I have never been to that area. You could download the Hiking Project, and all trails app to find hiking trails in the area you are in. Just be prepared for sites to be overcrowded with people who have never set foot on a hiking trail before.

 

[SpeedSpeak2me]

Here is what my friend from CS also suggested (so far):

"The fossil beds are in Florissant . The town of Alma and Fairplay are that way, as is Cripple Creek, a casino and old gold town great hiking outside cripple creek.

Florissant Fossle is a national park with easy to moderate trails as does the state park in the area. And you have the wolf rescue park there also. Mueller state park "

 

[Bob Kazamakis]

Difficult how? Like from the top of the Peak? Thought you could catch it on the SE corner where the cog railway makes the turn to come in behind the building? I saw the trail continue when I finished the stair climb last April, checked the trail map, shit my pants, then took the Barr trail back down to the parking, lol.

Also, greasy, last update regarding the incline, reservations are required. But it looks like post is from last summer.

Manitou Incline Reopens With Reservations – Manitou Incline

www.manitouincline.com

Like they don’t let you leave a car at the top or the bottom anymore so you can’t shuttle it.

 

[SpeedSpeak2me]

Like they don’t let you leave a car at the top or the bottom anymore so you can’t shuttle it.

Well that kind of sucks. Never even considered that aspect of the climb. Good point. I'd have hiked to the top and went, "shit, now I have to go back down? Hello, Uber?"

 

[Bob Kazamakis]

Well that kind of sucks. Never even considered that aspect of the climb. Good point. I'd have hiked to the top and went, "shit, now I have to go back down? Hello, Uber?"

I’m talking about riding a mountain bike down it. When the cog rail was open they don’t allow bikes. You can’t shuttle and leave a car at the top lot (drive up, ride down, drive a car back up to get the other car).

 

[greasy]

R u driving or flying?

Flying

 

[greasy]

Difficult how? Like from the top of the Peak? Thought you could catch it on the SE corner where the cog railway makes the turn to come in behind the building? I saw the trail continue when I finished the stair climb last April, checked the trail map, shit my pants, then took the Barr trail back down to the parking, lol.

Also, greasy, last update regarding the incline, reservations are required. But it looks like post is from last summer.

Manitou Incline Reopens With Reservations – Manitou Incline

www.manitouincline.com

Manitou Incline Ultimate Guide - Reservations, Hours & Hike Info - Visit Colorado Springs

Find Manitou Incline reservation information and prepare to conquer the challenging hiking trail, known for rapid elevation gain and panoramic views in Manitou Springs.

www.visitcos.com

The Colorado Springs Convention & Visitors Bureau

The Colorado Springs Convention & Visitors Bureau is the premier marketing organization for Colorado Springs and the Pikes Peak region

www.visitcos.com

Garden of the Gods Park - Visit Colorado Springs

Construction Update: The 30th St. construction will begin fall of 2021, and will likely take around 18 months to complete. For more info and closure updates,

www.visitcos.com

It’ll be snowy

Pikes Peak via Barr Trail

The trail is wide and very accessible from the ascension and descension standpoint. The last mile is the hardest and takes a lot of stamina to conquer the final walk across the boulder field. $10/day parking fee.

www.alltrails.com

This area is probably decently dry, it’s all decomposed granite.

Hiking Seven Bridges Trail - North Cheyenne Canon | Manitou Springs

Seven Bridges Trail is a moderately-difficult 5.78-mile hiking trail in North Cheyenne Cañon. The trail crosses 7 bridges along a mountain stream. Learn more about this hike!

manitousprings.org

waterfall hike https://manitousprings.org/where-to-play/the-broadmoors-seven-falls/

Mt. Cutler - Manitou Springs

A short easy hike for families and hikers of all skill levels! A great option to catch wildflowers in Spring or take in incredible views from the summit.

manitousprings.org

Hiking St. Mary’s Falls - Waterfall Hike in Colorado | Manitou Springs

St. Mary’s Falls is a 5.9-mile hiking trail near Manitou Springs in North Cheyenne Canon Park that features a waterfall. Learn more about this pet-friendly waterfall hike!

manitousprings.org

I appreciate the recommendations!!!! I am sure I'll have a ton of other questions.

So what you are saying is that if we do Manitou we will have to climb both ways? I had that happen out in Yosemite, did the 4 Mile Trail which is technically 4.7 miles and got to the top. Didn't realize the shuttle down was $20 a person and our wallets were at the bottom So we hiked back down, that was a long day!

 

[SpeedSpeak2me]

I appreciate the recommendations!!!! I am sure I'll have a ton of other questions.

So what you are saying is that if we do Manitou we will have to climb both ways? I had that happen out in Yosemite, did the 4 Mile Trail which is technically 4.7 miles and got to the top. Didn't realize the shuttle down was $20 a person and our wallets were at the bottom So we hiked back down, that was a long day!

Manitou (stairs) is a climb up, and they heavily discourage people from going back down, but they do anyways. About half-distance (steps-wise) there is a dedicated resting point with a bench, and an "exit" to hop on the Barr trail and come back down, which is an relatively easy walk/hike back down, which I jogged in hiking boots. If you continue to the top you can take the same Barr trail back down, you just start higher.

I did the incline with way too much gear (hiking boots, jeans, backpack) because of the changing weather. Took my about 90 minutes with stops. Had I done like everyone else, shorts, jogging shoes, I could have shaved 30 minutes off, lol. The closer you get to the top the more frequent your stops are cause you'll be tired. Like "I'll rest in 50 steps" quickly became "10 more then I can rest", hahaha.

 

[RedBeard]

greasy

I’ve only been down to Colorado Springs area once so far and that was just for Garden of the Gods so not of much help for places that far south. Manitou Springs popped up when we were looking for a hot springs vacation spot. Might be worth checking that area out.

For hiking trails the AllTrails app is super useful, it even includes fire roads and off road trails I believe if you’ll be doing any of that.

 

[RedBeard]

That time of year will probably be a great time to do any hikes that include waterfalls. I imagine there have to be some in that area.

 

[SpeedSpeak2me]

Something to keep in mind, the Manitou Incline is categorized as an extreme climb. There are no safety devices, so no hand rails/guards/etc. It's technically all "steps", but if you lose your balance and start tumbling down, there is nothing to stop you. Some steps are like 2" high, and in some places they're like 16-18", variable the whole way.

Needless to say, I was passed by an 80 year old wearing Umbro's and a t-shirt that was jogging up.

I was pathetic in comparison. It was challenging and I was sore for days afterwards, but I didn't even stretch first. Once you do it though, it gets its hooks into you. I know how punishing it was for me, and I can't wait to go back and do it again!

 

[Bob Kazamakis]

I’d probably skip the incline honestly. Plenty of less popular trails out there that are probably better views.