I had the pleasure of taking a vacation to Colorado Springs and get away for the week! Colorado is always a pleasure. Here are some of the things I got to enjoy while I was out and about near the Pike’s Peak Region and Colorado Springs.
Useful Links
- Mt Herman Trail: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/colorado/mount-herman-trail
- Narrow Guage Railroad: https://cripplecreekrailroad.com/
- Fox Run Trail: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/colorado/fox-run-loop-trail
- Colorado Springs Traffic Cameras: http://www.cospringsweather.com/wxtraffic.php
Hiking the Front Range
I was able to hike the front range during my stay in Colorado Springs. The mountain we went up was Mount Herman near Monument. It’s the very northern part of Colorado Springs. The day we went it was beautiful. It gives great views of the Front Range and the cities below.
The hike starts from a small parking area on a forest service road. It’s located here. There’s room for about 5 vehicles so make sure to start your day early and the road is dusty and bumpy. The hike is easy to moderate. There are some places where you may need some assistance to get over a big rock. There is also a lot of gravel and sand so be careful on the way down as not to slip. This is the trail we used found here. It was a great 2-3 hour hike! Well worth it!
Cripple Creek and the Railroad Ride
Cripple Creek was another wonderful day trip in the Pike’s Peak Region. We enjoyed the casinos for about an hour and of course, lost a few dollars. The highlight of the trip was honestly the narrow gauge railroad ride. This is their website here.
You get to ride a narrow-gauge railroad a few miles and see some of the old gold mines that dotted the landscape all around the cities. You also get a view of the current large operating mine as you come around the mountain. The conductor spins a few stories while you ride this 45-minute adventure about the gold hustlers and the city itself.
Make sure you’re ready for a little smoke and some cinders which the train spits out since this is a functioning coal locomotive. There’s nothing too dangerous just some little specks of coal. Well worth it for children and adults alike!
Fox Run Regional Park
Finally, I got to enjoy another morning hike at Fox Run Regional Park in the northern part of Colorado Springs. This park is full of trails, runners, and children hanging out at the park’s small ponds. The pond areas are known as a wedding spot and there’s even a small venue to host a few people if you use the pond as your wedding location.
The trail we used is here. We stayed on the eastern portion of the loop and went from the northeastern parking area to the ponds. There is ample space and plenty of people running and walking throughout the park. It’s an easy hike but there’s plenty of challenging elevation changes to keep your heart up.
The ponds were a highlight of the park. There are two small ponds and plenty of flowing water around. There’s even a small water fountain. There’s also a gazebo that sticks out into the larger lake and is a popular place to sit. It’s located here. There are chairs and tables if you want to make a small picnic and enjoy nature all around the ponds. If you want to get out and see a little on a quick trip, this is the place to visit!
Colorado Springs has so much to offer. I haven’t lived there in many years but I never pass up a chance to visit. If you’re ever in the area you shouldn’t be afraid to get out of the house or car and get some fresh air. There’s so much to do from outdoor hiking, parks, ponds, or even a trek downtown. Colorado Springs should be on your list of places to see! Happy Trekking!