Fly Fishing Colorado Springs CO

Activities: Hiking, Snowshoeing

Info:
State: Colorado
Location: Pike & San Isabel National Forests
Length: One-Way: 4.5 miles
Trail type: Out and Back
Minimum Elevation: 9800 feet
Maximum Elevation: 10400 feet
Best Season: Summer, Fall
Difficulty: Difficult
Usage: Light

Description: The Apishapa Trail will tie into the Wahatoya Trail at mile 1 1/2. You can continue on for 2 miles to tie in with the West Peak Trail. This trail is good for car shuttle because of the trailheads being located on the same county road #46. Directions Take State Highway 12 from LaVeta to Cucharas Pass turn left on County Road 46 and travel 10 miles to the Apishapa Trailhead located on County Road 46. Comanche Trail State: Colorado Location: Pike & San Isabel National Forests Length, One-Way: 5.1 miles Trail Type: Out and Back Minimum Elevation: 9100 feet Maximum Elevation: 11720 feet Best Season: Summer, Fall Difficulty: Difficult Usage: Light Trail Information The 5.1 mile long Comanche Trail provides access to Comanche Lake and the Phantom Terrace. This hike is in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, which is one of the longer mountain ranges on earth. It extends from New Mexico up into central Colorado. The “Sangres” started forming during the Laramide mountain building episode (70 to 40 million years ago) along with a number of other ranges in the Rockies. However, uplift activity in the Sangres continued longer, ending about 25 million years ago. While other Laramide uplifts were being leveled by erosion, this one was still growing. Some faults on the west side of the Sangres are still active. As you hike up the valley and as you look out at the surrounding mountains from Comanche Peak, you may notice something odd. It looks as though the rock outcrops in many places have linear features that are slanting and sometimes almost vertical. The linear aspect relates to the originally horizontal bedding planes that formed during the deposition of sediments, which later became cemented into rocks. During mountain building, these rock units were faulted, uplifted and strongly tilted in response to forces deep in the earth.

Activities: Hiking

Info:
State: Colorado
Location: Pike & San Isabel National Forests
Length: One-Way: 3.5 miles
Trail type: Out and Back
Minimum Elevation: 6548 feet
Maximum Elevation: 6610 feet
Best Season: Fall
Difficulty: Moderate
Usage: Moderate

Description: This 3.5 mile trail follows along the west shoreline of the South Fork of the South Platte River. The trail begins above the Wigwam Club (private) and follows the South Fork upstream to the gauging station immediately below the Cheesman Lake Dam. The trail serves as the primary access for anglers wishing to fish this 3 mile stretch of river. If you choose to hike to the gauging station allow 2 1/4 hours one way for your hike. The first half of the trail is easy walking and fairly well defined. The second half to the gauging station is moderately difficult to negotiate, with a faint trail to follow at times. Beware of poison ivy along the trail. From the trailhead on County Road 126, the trail drops down a small drainage then up a hill in a general southeasterly direction. Follow the silver diamond markers on the trees and posts. Early in the hike there will be a sign stating all of the applicable fishing rules please read and observe. After you have walked approximately 10 minutes, the river comes into view to the left in the canyon. From this point onward the river will be in view on the left. The trail stays well above the waterline, so be careful not to follow the many side footpaths to the water. When in doubt always stay on the highest visible trail. The trailhead elevation is 6,548 feet and the gauging station elevation is 6,610 feet. But don’t allow this to fool you, there are numerous places where huge rocks jut out into the river and to get past these obstructions the trail is routed over the outcrops. The trail has many ups and downs that are quite steep. The last 3/4 mile to the gauging station is quite difficult Hiking. The canyon narrows, the slope increases and the trail is loose gravel.

Activities: Hiking, Snowshoeing

Info:
State: Colorado
Location: Gunnison National Forest
Length: One-Way: 0.5 miles
Trail type: Out and Back
Minimum Elevation: 9330 feet
Maximum Elevation: 9550 feet
Elevation Change: 220 feet
Best Season: Summer, Fall
Difficulty: Easy
Usage: Moderate

Description: The Beaver Ponds Trail is an easy walk to a large beaver pond. The trail is only about 1/2 mile long and has benches and interpretative signs. The trail begins off the Ohio Creek Road and ends at the pond. There is a Forest Service picnic ground at the pond. The Beaver Ponds Trail is a good journey for both young and old. The trail winds through dense aspen stands and is an excellent hike in the fall when the aspens change colors.

Activities: Mountain Biking

Info:
State: Colorado
Location: Gunnison National Forest
Length: One-Way: 3 miles
Trail type: Out and Back
Minimum Elevation: 10100 feet
Maximum Elevation: 11150 feet
Elevation Change: 2000 feet
Best Season: Summer, Fall
Usage: Moderate

Description: The Block and Tackle Trail leaves East Brush Road heading to the east. The trail is relatively short, only three miles, but you will gain nearly 2,000 feet in that distance. This trail climbs to a ridge (el. 11,150 feet). At the ridge, the Block and Tackle Trail intersects the Double Top Trail. From the ridge, the trail then descends to Cement Creek Road. This trail is an excellent route between Brush Creek and Cement Creek. Caution: This is a multi-use trail and motorcycle traffic may be encountered.

Activities: Hiking, Mountain Biking

Info:
State: Colorado
Location: Denver
Length: Round Trip: 11.1 miles
Trail type: Loop
Minimum Elevation: 6300 feet
Maximum Elevation: 7800 feet
Best Season: May to October
Difficulty: 5D
Usage: Moderate

Description: Start on the Castle Trail heading up the mountain. This is a 2.5 mile stretch of uphill, so get comfy! Once you get to the top, you’ll see a service road in front of you. Take this for 0.5 miles until you see the Meadow Trail on your left. Go on Meadow Trail for 0.3 miles to Parmalee. Go left on Parmalee and follow this for 2 miles until it meets back up with the Castle Trail. Follow Castle back to the parking lot.