Section 16. Palmer Red Rock Trail. Bear Creek Area.

Take Hwy 24 to 26th Street. Go West until the road basically ends. (Roughly 3 miles). You cannot go forward because you'll come to a gate and a forest service road. (This is where you will exit the trail at the end of your hike). However, you can go left or make a 180 degree right turn onto Gold Camp Road. Make the sharp right and go to the parking area on your left about 1/4 mile up the street. Here you will see the beginning of the loop trail. 

Just a minute or two into your hike, you will start getting views of the Colorado Springs area and the expansive views to the East. Keep climbing and the views will get bigger and bigger. You may want to prepare for numerous stops to catch your breathe as you ascend. This trail is rated as moderate in it's degree of difficulty. Although it climbs sharply, it does not take all day to finish this hike. For most hikers, it will take 2-2.5 hours. There is no water along the trail until the very end. carry water for yourself and your pet.

The beginning of this hike includes what I refer to as scrub brush. Of course, in the warmer months it will be quite green. But, during the cold months it is dead and allows for better viewing to the east. The trail is wide and nice to walk. Be ready though, the trail will soon change as you begin ascending into the beautiful green forest.

As you get closer to the point where the trail ascends sharply you'll see beautiful red rock formations as well as the common Red Rocks Open Space Recreation Area not far to the east of the trail. In fact, there is an off shoot of this trail that will take you there. You may see a sign to this as well as a couple other trails and off shoots. Look for upcoming blog posts that focus on this other Section 16 and Bear Creek options.

The trail will ascend and you'll wonder if it ever stops going up, and up and...up. Without any stops, it will take about 45 minutes to reach the summit area where things will level out for awhile before starting a more gradual descent. The trail is easy to follow. Remember, you are doing a big loop, so small trails that take you to the right should be avioded and there are numerous signs that mark the trail you are on, which is; Palmer Red Rock Trail, or loop. This trail is part of the area in Bear Creek that is known as Section 16.

As you trek through the forest you'll be rewarded with views far away from the ones of the city. Although this is not the trail for expansive views of the Continental Divide or even Pike's Peak, it offers beautiful local views of forested peaks and valley's that offer a soul nourishing experience.

More views that even my canine companion seems to appreciate.

Tails on the Trails. Always keep your dog on a leash unless he or she is responsive to your voice and has displayed time and time again that he/she has NO tendancy towards aggression.

Near the end, the trail will turn pretty sharp to the left. While the trail to the right is pretty wide and noticable, it should be avoided. Continue to where the trail turns onto the forest service road in the next picture. Right before you get to the road the trail will "Y". Either will take you to the road in a few yards but, going to the left is preferred.

Hike on down this road until you come out at the gate where you were  before you took that sharp right onto Gold Camp Road to get to the parking area. You're finished and it was a Great Day.

Allow about 2.5 hours for this hike. I have done it without running in 1:45 minutes and have casually enjoyed it, making numerous stops, in about 3 hours.