Homestead Ranch Regional Park
Distance: 3.35 miles total
The 3.35 mile figure-eight loop hike through the 750 acre Homestead Ranch Regional Park offers sweeping views of the eastern plains, as well as distant views of Pikes Peak and the Sangre De Cristo Mountains from different vantages along the rocky bluffs of rattlesnake butte. From the start point, near the park's bathrooms and playground, the wide, well-carved path journeys through rolling prairie, leading up to rattlesnake butte. The trail forks before entering the conifer forest, with the left fork headed west paralleling the hillside before eventually climbing to the top. For this particular hike, stay right, corkscrewing up though the pines, reaching the hilltop after a short but steep jaunt. Once on top the forest opens up and the trail splits again. Steer right, as the trail sharply curves. After steering right, the trail passes by a picnic area, underneath power-lines. A windmill, picnic table, stone memorial commemorating the horse, and post to tie horses to make up the picnic area.. Not far past the picnic area, the trail splits into a loop around the top of rattlesnake butte. Veer left, following the path as it curves through prairie grassland with expansive vistas of plains and the occasional ranch. Be aware, a couple of side-trails cut away to nearby residences, before the path turns back toward where it split. Views open up along the rocky bluffs of the butte, before the path descends back down to the split. Turn left, passing by the picnic site with the windmill. Shortly, past the windmill, the trail forks. Left will take you back the way you came up the hill. Turn right paralleling the forest line and open fields.. Not long after passing a bench, the trail cuts down the hill, passing through the pines, switch-backing slightly, headed back to the park's picnic area and the end point for the hike. Given the fairly straightforward navigation, the minimal hill-climbing and short hiking distance of 3.35 miles total, the Homestead Ranch Trail is easy on the difficulty level scale. The trail is bike, horse, and dog-friendly. In addition to the trail, Homestead Ranch Regional Park has a pavilion, picnic areas, a playground, playing fields, and a pond which can be fished (with a license). The pond attracts a variety of wildlife, including mule deer, pronghorn, coyote, fox, and variety of water birds. Further Online Resources: Black Forest Trail Association: Homestead Ranch Regional Park El Paso County, Colorado: Homestead Ranch Regional Park |
Driving Directions:
From, UCCS, turn left onto Austin Bluffs Parkway. Stay on Austin Bluffs Parkway for about 4.5 miles. Then turn right onto Stetson Hills Blvd and from Stetson Hills Blvd turn left onto Powers Blvd. From Powers Blvd, turn right merging onto Wodmen Rd headed east toward Falcon. From Woodmen Rd, turn left onto US-24. Stay on US-24 for 5 miles before turning left onto Elbert Rd. Stay on Elbert Rd for 5.2 miles and then turn right onto Sweet Rd. Sweet Rd will turn into a well-paved dirt road, stay on it for about 2.3 miles. Turn left onto Gollihar Rd. A park sign marks the next left turn leading directly to Homestead Ranch's parking area. Driving directions using Google Maps is linked here. |