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A high mountain trail with epic views and sweet singletrack.


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Map Key

4.1

Miles

6.6

KM

Singletrack

10,290' 3,136 m

High

9,639' 2,938 m

Low

718' 219 m

Up

378' 115 m

Down

5%

Avg Grade (3°)

17%

Max Grade (10°)

Dogs Leashed

E-Bikes Not Allowed

Non-motorized trail on Colorado Springs Utilities land.

Need to Know

This trail is a long way from anywhere, there is no cell service along most of its length with no easy way off. Pack prepared to self support should anything go wrong, as rescue is difficult and very time consuming, you'll be waiting a long while.

Description

Over 20+ years in the making, this four-mile trail through Colorado Springs Utilities land provides a much needed connection between Barr Trail and Jones Park. Encompassing spectacular views of Pikes Peak, the trail winds its way through aspen groves, granite boulder fields, crosses the Cog Railway and climbs out of Ruxton Creek to eventually connect with the Jones Park #667 trail.

Starting a quarter mile along the Mountain View Trailhead left at the signpost. The first mile is down rolling singletrack across three bridges and a testy rock garden at the base of the descent. The trail then crosses the famous Cog Railway. Climbing from the rails, the trail crosses a bridge and then traverses around and through a number of boulder piles, be sure to negotiate the split rock and watch for fun b-lines. After a couple of beautiful aspen groves, the trail enters 'moose wood', where volunteer trail builders were watched by a young buck in 2017. 'Moose wood' is a rolling serpentine trail section through pine forest that ends in a high mountain meadow with epic views of Pikes Peak.

This is the half-way point, and now the climbing begins. Cross the bridge and suffer up the climb from 9,600' to 9,900' and watch for great views through the trees. At 9,900', you'll find a brief respite with an exposed (at points) drop to Ruxton Creek. As you cross the exposed rock slab, you can see your final destination saddle off to the east to the right of a prominent rocky peak.

Cross Ruxton Creek by a wide bridge and climb up around a rock slab ridge, circle its top bowl, and if energy allows, test your grip climbing up to huge views on the slabs upper section. Continue from the slabs via bermed corners and around large granite boulders until reaching the utility road crossing. Do not ride up or down this road, cross to continue on the trail.

You're now at 10,000'. Climb through more boulders and across a short boulder field to reach the highpoint at 10,240'. Roll over the ridgeline and flow down and across to the very top of Jones Park #667 where a huge descent is waiting (after two miles of rolling traverse).

Contacts

Shared By:

Doug Bursnall with improvements by Forrest Rover and 1 other

Trail Ratings

  4.1 from 10 votes

#1

in Barr Camp

#8572

Overall
  4.1 from 10 votes
5 Star
50%
4 Star
30%
3 Star
10%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
10%
Trail Rankings

#1

in Barr Camp

#861

in Colorado

#8,572

Overall
4 Views Last Month
3,080 Since Sep 3, 2018
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult

0%
0%
43%
14%
43%
0%

Photos

Aspen Meadow with great Views of Pikes Peak
Sep 6, 2018 near Manitou…, CO
Hand built bridge on Lake Moraine Trail
Sep 6, 2018 near Manitou…, CO
Pike's Peak Plummet - Highlights
Sep 21, 2020 near Manitou…, CO
Handle Bar Clipper
Sep 6, 2018 near Manitou…, CO
Pike's Peak Plummet
Jul 17, 2023 near Manitou…, CO
This trail feels as if it has always been here, winding over and between Pike's boulders. It blends seamlessly with the Elk Park Trail, connecting a now epic descent from the top of Pike's Peak down the best trails in N Cheyenne Canyon!
Sep 9, 2018 near Manitou…, CO
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