Lincoln Mountain Open Space
The 876 acre Lincoln Mountain Open Space is located on the Palmer Divide in Douglas County. The park's landscape includes Lincoln Mountain's flat top, forested slopes, rocky cliff-sides, the riparian environs of West Cherry Creek, and foothills grassland.
Lincoln Mountain is home to two keyhole loop trails, both between four and 4.5 miles in distance. Bicycling and horseback-riding are also welcome activities on the trails, with the parking area having plenty of space to support many horse-trailers.
Lincoln Mountain Trail is the shortest of the two keyhole loops at 4.2 miles, but is the slightly more difficult hike. The trail switchbacks up to the top and then loops around the fairly level Lincoln Mountain, offering beautiful views of the distant Front Range.
The Palmer Divide Ranch Trail is slightly longer at 4.5 miles than the Lincoln Mountain Trail. Much of it winds through the park's open and rolling prairie, for a time paralleling West Cherry Creek, usually from a distance. However, from the Palmer Divide Ranch Trail, a short side-trail leads to the park's Willow Tree Picnic Area, which has creek-side access. Palmer Divide Ranch Trail also ventures through mixed shrubland and climbs onto a craggy hilltop.
Further information on Lincoln Mountain Open Space is linked directly below. Descriptions on the park's trails and driving directions are also below.
Further Online Resources:
Douglas County, CO: Lincoln Mountain Open Space
Lincoln Mountain Open Space Map pdf
cospringstrails.com: Lincoln Mountain Open Space
Summit Post: Lincoln Mountain
Lincoln Mountain is home to two keyhole loop trails, both between four and 4.5 miles in distance. Bicycling and horseback-riding are also welcome activities on the trails, with the parking area having plenty of space to support many horse-trailers.
Lincoln Mountain Trail is the shortest of the two keyhole loops at 4.2 miles, but is the slightly more difficult hike. The trail switchbacks up to the top and then loops around the fairly level Lincoln Mountain, offering beautiful views of the distant Front Range.
The Palmer Divide Ranch Trail is slightly longer at 4.5 miles than the Lincoln Mountain Trail. Much of it winds through the park's open and rolling prairie, for a time paralleling West Cherry Creek, usually from a distance. However, from the Palmer Divide Ranch Trail, a short side-trail leads to the park's Willow Tree Picnic Area, which has creek-side access. Palmer Divide Ranch Trail also ventures through mixed shrubland and climbs onto a craggy hilltop.
Further information on Lincoln Mountain Open Space is linked directly below. Descriptions on the park's trails and driving directions are also below.
Further Online Resources:
Douglas County, CO: Lincoln Mountain Open Space
Lincoln Mountain Open Space Map pdf
cospringstrails.com: Lincoln Mountain Open Space
Summit Post: Lincoln Mountain
Driving Directions:
From UCCS, turn right onto Austin Bluffs Pkwy and then right onto Nevada Ave. From Nevada Ave merge northbound onto I-25. Stay on I-25 for only 5.5 miles before taking Exit 153 onto the Interquest Pkwy. Stay on Interquest Pkwy as it becomes CO-83. Stay on CO-83 for 13.2 miles and then turn left onto Jones Rd. After traveling 0.5 miles along Jones Rd's soft surface, a large sign marks Lincoln Mountain Open Space's entrance on the right Parking is ample and accommodating to horse trailers. A portable toilet is located at the parking area. Driving directions to Lincoln Mountain Open Space using Google Maps is linked here. |
Palmer Divide Ranch Trail
Distance: Approximately 4.5 miles total
The Palmer Divide Trail is a keyhole loop hike approximately 4.5 miles in distance. The trail winds through Lincoln Mountain's sloping grasslands, briefly following West Cherry Creek, mostly from a distance, before switch-backing up through mixed shrubland onto a craggy hilltop. Rocky perches open up on the hilltop, providing vistas of the plains; while on sunny days, views from the prairie include the distant 'Purple Mountain Majesties' and Almagre Mountain. Additionally, a side trail cuts away to a nearby picnic area located close to West Cherry Creek's banks, in the shade of beautiful willow trees. Starting from Lincoln Mountain Open's Spaces parking area, the trail journeys a short distance before coming to where Palmer Divide Ranch Trail and Lincoln Mountain Trail diverge. Continue straight, instead of making an abrupt left turn onto Lincoln Mountain Trail. The trail comes to another intersection after traveling about another 0.4 miles. This is where the trail loops, so either direction chosen will lead back to this intersection. Turn right, continuing through the grassland circling around private property and arriving where a side-trail leads down to the nearby Willow Tree Picnic Area. Having visiting the picnic site, Palmer Divide Trail parallels West Cherry Creek from a distance. The fertile, riparian ecology is inviting habitat for wildlife and home to many beautiful trees, Eventually, the path cuts sharply back to the southwest and begins to climb through patches of gambel oak. The gambel oak get more thick and ponderosa pine grow on the slopes, as the trail switchbacks up a hill-side. Once on top, the path traverses craggy terrain. Rocky perches open up to views of the plains and distant mesas. Not long after reaching the hilltop, another intersection is reached. The Lower Rim Cutoff splits left and cuts about 0.2 miles off of the hike's distance. Turn right, continuing along Palmer Divide Trail. About 0.4 miles later, the trail meets up again with the Lower Rim Cutoff. Turn right again, traveling by private property before descending through mixed shrubland. As the trail heads through forest, a trail sign marks a side-trail that leads to the top of the very close-by Dewey Hill. Dewey Hill is covered by gambel oak and pine and does not offer sweeping views, except maybe by horse-back. Past Dewey Hill, Palmer Divide Ranch Trail descends down to the intersection where the loop began. Turn right, retracing the route back to the hike's start point. About 0.4 miles later the intersection with Lincoln Mountain Trail is reached again. Veer left headed to the nearby parking area and the end of this particular hike. Navigation for this hike is pretty straightforward, with intersections marked with signs. There is minimal uphill and what uphill there is, is very reasonable. Given this and the approximate distance of 4.5 miles total, this hike is rated as moderately easy. Further Online Resources: Douglas County, CO: Lincoln Mountain Open Space Lincoln Mountain Open Space Map pdf The Hiker: Lincoln Mountain Hike |
Lincoln Mountain Trail
Distance: Approximately 4.2 miles total
Lincoln Mountain Trail is a keyhole loop hike, approximately 4.2 miles in distance, venturing to Lincoln Mountain's flat top. From atop Lincoln Mountain, views of Pikes Peak and the Front Range are as plentiful as the wildflowers growing along the trail's loop. The trail initially follows the Palmer Divide Ranch Trail through grassland for about 0.2 miles. At the sign, make a sharp left, circling around a small foothill. Larkspur, Foothills Paintbrush and other wildflowers bloom along the route during spring. Past the split with Palmer Divide Ranch Trail, the path side-winds for about 1.3 miles up through the slope's scrubland before reaching the top. The switchbacks make the climb very reasonable. Not long after reaching the top, the trail comes to a sign marking where the trail loops. Although either direction leads back to this point, turn left. The route parallels Lincoln Mountain's contour for approximately 1.2 miles. After returning to the loop's start point, veer left headed down Lincoln Mountain, retracing the route back to the hike's start point, about 1.5 miles away. Round-trip distance for this hike is approximately 4.2 miles total. Distance is based on information provided by Lincoln Mountain Open Space linked below. Navigation is pretty straightforward with each intersection marked by a sign. Like most trails, wet weather can cause mud. Switchbacks make the uphill portion of this hike quite manageable. Given these factors, Lincoln Mountain Trail is rated as moderate. Further Online Resources: Douglas County, CO: Lincoln Mountain Open Space Lincoln Mountain Open Space Map pdf Gazette.com: Trail Talk: Lincoln Open Space offers Number of Trail Options at Palmer Divide by Susan Davies |