North Cheyenne Canyon
If the Garden of the Gods is the king of Colorado Spring's parks, then North Cheyenne Canyon is certainly the city's queen. The rugged and striking North Cheyenne Canyon is the Springs' closest gateway to the wild, with several trails leading to craggy mountaintops and often-thirsty waterfalls.
The beauty of North Cheyenne Canyon's mountainous topography and the challenge of its trails make the area a very popular destination. The area's popularity is as old as the city's founding. Since the Springs was known as Fountain Colony, residents have sought out North Cheyenne Canyon, in particular during the summer to escape the heat of the plains.
Owned briefly by the Colorado College Land Company and known as Colorado College Park, Colorado Springs citizens in 1885 voted to purchase 640 acres of North Cheyenne Canyon to create a park they would rename to Cheyenne Park.. A couple of decades later, Colorado Springs founder General William Palmer gave an additional 480 acres to what is now known as North Cheyenne Canon Park and had the original Mt Cutler Trail constructed.
Besides hiking, bicycling is also a favorite activity; although some trails like Mt Cutler and Mt Muscoco are limited to foot traffic. Described below in further detail are trail descriptions for: Columbine Trail, Mount Cutler Trail, & Mt Muscoco Trail. North Cheyenne Canon Park is a gateway to nearby Pike National Forest. The start point for some of the region's most popular hikes, like Seven Bridges Trail is located a short distance from Helen Hunt Falls. Information on those hikes are described in further detail in Gold Camp and Old Stage.
Further Online Resources:
ColoradoSprings.gov: North Cheyenne Canyon
ColoradoSprings.gov: North Cheyenne Canyon Park and Stratton Open Space Trail Information pdf
North Cheyenne Canon Park & Stratton Open Space pdf
North Cheyenne Canon Park Minor Master Plan pdf
Friends of Cheyenne Canon Park
Friends of Cheyenne Canon Park: Trails
North Cheyenne Canon Park & Stratton Open Space Map PDF
The beauty of North Cheyenne Canyon's mountainous topography and the challenge of its trails make the area a very popular destination. The area's popularity is as old as the city's founding. Since the Springs was known as Fountain Colony, residents have sought out North Cheyenne Canyon, in particular during the summer to escape the heat of the plains.
Owned briefly by the Colorado College Land Company and known as Colorado College Park, Colorado Springs citizens in 1885 voted to purchase 640 acres of North Cheyenne Canyon to create a park they would rename to Cheyenne Park.. A couple of decades later, Colorado Springs founder General William Palmer gave an additional 480 acres to what is now known as North Cheyenne Canon Park and had the original Mt Cutler Trail constructed.
Besides hiking, bicycling is also a favorite activity; although some trails like Mt Cutler and Mt Muscoco are limited to foot traffic. Described below in further detail are trail descriptions for: Columbine Trail, Mount Cutler Trail, & Mt Muscoco Trail. North Cheyenne Canon Park is a gateway to nearby Pike National Forest. The start point for some of the region's most popular hikes, like Seven Bridges Trail is located a short distance from Helen Hunt Falls. Information on those hikes are described in further detail in Gold Camp and Old Stage.
Further Online Resources:
ColoradoSprings.gov: North Cheyenne Canyon
ColoradoSprings.gov: North Cheyenne Canyon Park and Stratton Open Space Trail Information pdf
North Cheyenne Canon Park & Stratton Open Space pdf
North Cheyenne Canon Park Minor Master Plan pdf
Friends of Cheyenne Canon Park
Friends of Cheyenne Canon Park: Trails
North Cheyenne Canon Park & Stratton Open Space Map PDF
Driving Directions:
From UCCS, turn right onto Austin Bluffs Pkwy. Stay on Austin Bluffs Pkwy as it turns into Garden of the Gods Rd and then turn left, merging onto I-25 headed south. Take Exit 140, turning right onto Tejon St. From Tejon St, turn right onto Cheyenne Blvd. Stay on Cheyenne Blvd until reaching the Starsmore Discovery Center, approximately 14 miles from UCCS. Driving directions to North Cheyenne Canon Park using Google Maps is linked here. The Columbine Trail start point begins just behind the Starsmore Discovery Center, while Mt Cutler and Mt Muscoco's start point is located 1.2 miles up North Cheyenne Canyon Rd. Helen Hunt Falls is located about 2.3 miles from the park's entrance along the narrow, curvy road. Further up from the parking for Helen Hunt Falls, another key parking area is located at the intersection of High Drive and Gold Camp Road. The intersection at High Rd and Gold Camp Rd is the origin point for many of North Cheyenne Canyon's trails, like St Marys Falls. The bulk of parking is located at the base of the park, near the discovery center, as well as at Helen Hunt Falls and the intersection of High and Gold Camp Roads. Parking areas are also interspersed along North Cheyenne Canyon Rd, including space for about 10 vehicles at the Mt Cutler trailhead. North Cheyenne Canyon is very popular and while parking may be ample, the park is often packed, esp. on a sunny weekend. Restrooms are located in the discovery center and portajohns can be found in the parking area for Helen Hunt Falls. |
Columbine Trail to Helen Hunt Falls
Distance: Approximately 8.6 miles total
Originally designed by the Civil Works Administration in 1934, the Columbine Trail starts from the mouth of North Cheyenne Canyon. After following North Cheyenne Canyon Creek for roughly a mile, the route then begins to ascend the canyon, climbing over sun-baked ridges, from where craggy perches offer striking glimpses of North Cheyenne Canyon. Columbine Trail then concludes near Helen Hunt Falls, approximately 4.3 miles from where it began. While continuous, the trail is divided into three portions, known as Lower, Middle, and Upper Columbine Trails. The lower segment begins from just behind the Starsmore Discovery Center. The middle segment's start point is located about a mile up North Cheyenne Canyon Rd, while the upper segment's trailhead is located just above Helen Hunt Falls, also off of North Cheyenne Canyon Rd. The Lower Columbine Trail initially follows North Cheyenne Creek for about a mile before crossing a bridge and North Cheyenne Canyon Rd. Not far past crossing the road, the trail cuts through a soft-surface parking area. On the other side of the parking area, a trail sign notes the start of Middle Columbine Trail. From here Columbine Trail begins to climb, winding up the canyon-side, sometimes at a steep incline. Striking views of the canyon open up along the way. While traveling through a forested draw, the Spring Creek Canyon Trail is passed on the right, about two miles into the hike. Spring Creek Canyon Trail leads up to Gold Camp Road and is a little short of being the half-way point in reaching Helen Hunt Falls. About 0.7 miles after passing Spring Creek Canyon Trail, Middle Columbine reaches the Upper Columbine Trail, crossing by an intersection with another trail leading up to Gold Camp Road. Rusted metal signs mark the intersections and direction of the trails. Past the intersection, Columbine Trail descends sharply journeying through a draw before climbing over another ridge and descending down to the trailhead for Upper Columbine Trail. Helen Hunt Falls is located near the Upper Columbine's start point, headed briefly down North Cheyenne Canyon Rd. Accessible by vehicle, Helen Hunt Falls is a popular locale. The falls has a seasonally-open visitor center, moderately-ample parking and portajohns. A short trail from Helen Hunt Falls leads up to closer views of Silver Cascade Falls. As a there and back again hike, the way back is the way you came, making for a walk of approximately 8.6 miles total. Distance is based on the excellent description of Columbine Trail written by Stewart M. Green in his work Best Hikes Near Colorado Springs. Navigation is pretty straight forward, with major intersections marked by signs. The single-track path itself can be steep at times and potentially slick at certain points from loose gravel. The way up is consistently up for most of the the middle segment. Given these factors, Columbine Trail is rated as moderate-to-difficult. Both bicycling and horseback-riding are permitted on the Columbine Trail. Zoltan Malocsay recommends having previous experience mountain-biking because of the trail's sharp turns, steep downhill, and potentially precipitous falls. Further Online Resources: ColoradoSprings.gov: North Cheyenne Canyon North Cheyenne Canon Park & Stratton Open Space Map PDF Friends of Cheyenne Canon: Columbine Trail On Walkabout On: The Columbine Trail in Colorado Springs gazette.com: Columbine Trail - Out There Colorado by Deb Acord |
Mount Cutler Trail
Distance: Approximately 2 miles total
Mentioned in several guide books as a great introduction to North Cheyenne Canon Park, the Mount Cutler Trail winds up the canyon-side, passing through a gap with Mt Muscoco, and reaching Mt Cutler's top about a mile from the hike's start point. Incredible views of both North and South Cheyenne Canyon, including distant glimpses of Seven Falls open up along the way and from Mt Cutler. Near Mt Cutler's top, a social trail follows the ridge, offering views of the city and the plains. Zoltan Malocsay mentions in his work, Trails Guide: Denver to Pikes Peak, that Mt Cutler Trail is also a great night hike with beautiful views of Colorado Springs' city lights. Whether by day or night, take care, as the trail consists of loose, gravelly granite which can be slick even during favorable weather and the resulting fall potentially drastic. Mt Cutler and Mt Muscoco Trails start from the same trailhead and share the same path until reaching the gap, where Mt Muscoco Trail splits right. A sign marks where the trails diverge. As a there and back again hike, Mt Cutler Trail is approximately two miles total, despite its shortness, the beautiful vistas offered by this hike are well worth it. Given the short distance and easy navigation, Mt Cutler Trail is rated as easy, with the caveat be aware of the loose gravel and potentially long fall afterward. Bicycling and horseback-riding are not permitted on Mt Cutler or Mt Muscoco Trails. Further Online Resources: Friends of Cheyenne Canon: Mt. Cutler North Cheyenne Canon Park & Stratton Open Space Map PDF Colorado Springs Trails & Hiking: Mount Cutler |
Mount Muscoco Trail
Distance: Approximately 4 miles total
Rising to 8020 ft, the rough-hewn Mount Muscoco is among North Cheyenne Canyon's most distinct terrain features. Easily recognized from Columbine Trail, Mt Cutler, Gold Camp Rd and Old Stage Rd, Muscoco is distinguished by the mountain's craggy peak; which from its many rocky perches offers some of Cheyenne Canyon's best perspectives. The Mt Muscoco Trail begins from the Mt Cutler Trailhead and the two trails initially share the same route climbing up the canyon-side until reaching a saddle, where Mt Cutler continues straight and Mt Muscoco Trail turns right. A trail sign marks the right turn. After turning right splitting away from Mt Cutler Trail, Mt Muscoco Trail initially follows the contour of the mountain's southern slope at a very reasonable ascent. Excellent views of South Cheyenne Canyon and the mountainous interior open up through the mixed-forest. The trail then switches right, following the mountain-side's eastern slope, eventually climbing onto a ridge-top and then briefly descending down into a saddle. From the saddle, the trail steeply ascends Mt Muscoco's northern slope mostly through dense pine forest. Another saddle is reached not long after crossing over a rocky perch that possesses some pretty good views of North Cheyenne Canyon. In the saddle, Mt Muscoco trail appears to come to an intersection with a trail sign marking the hard left turn headed up the last climb to the top. This last climb is short but absolutely ruthless in its steepness. The route switchbacks many times, climbing largely what feels like a wash. Cairns have been placed to help mark a route easily lost. After enjoying the scenery from Mt Muscoco, the way back is the way you came, about two miles back down to the trail's start point. As a there and back again hike, the approximate total distance hiked is four miles. Distance is based on information provided on the park's trailhead sign. Despite the short distance, this hike is rated as moderate-to-moderately difficult because of the steepness. The steepness can be rough on the uphill, but really it is the downhill that is more worrisome. Like Mt Cutler, the steep downhill can be complicated by the trail surface being slick from eroded, granite gravel and sandy soil. Also like Mt Cutler, at times Mt Muscoco Trail traverses precipitous canyon-sides and potential falls, or missteps can have dramatic effects. Navigation is pretty straightforward, but the trail can be easy to lose on the last climb up to Mt Muscoco. For those who have not hiked Mt Muscoco since late spring of 2015, some really nice improvements have been made to the trail, beginning from where it separates from the Mount Cutler Trail to near where the path reaches the ridge-top before descending into a saddle. Further information on the Mt Muscoco Trail is linked below. Further Online Resources: Friends of Cheyenne Canon: Mt Muscoco Trail Dedication Colorado Springs Gazette: Trail to Colorado Springs gets an Upgrade by Lance Benzel Colorado Springs Trails and Hiking: Muscoco Mountain |