While it’s becoming more difficult to find solitude in Colorado Springs’ parks and open spaces, the trails off Old Stage Road are still waiting to be widely discovered. And while many paths stretching into Pike National Forest tend to be rugged and hard to follow, the way to Gray Back Peak is refreshingly different.

Still, if relatively new to the outdoors, be sure to pay attention. Downed logs direct the trail at times, though it’s mostly easy to follow, having been beaten down by enough feet. That’s fairly surprising, considering the remoteness.

At the small parking area, take the singletrack running up into the woods, not the trail to the right. If you’re not one for exposure, you won’t like the short portion straddling a slope of Pikes Peak granite. Watch your step on the loose soil.

The flat trail continues through pine, aspen and green carpet-like kinnikinnick. Keep your eyes peeled for wildflowers when you’re not looking up to admire marvelous outcrops, the slabs, pinnacles and domes above Emerald Valley.

By the mile mark, the trail starts its rising-dipping trend. At one point it climbs steeply uphill, following washout before leveling off to views of the plains and Fort Carson. Near 1.5 miles in, continue straight rather than taking the trail to the left.

Switchbacks lead to the summit, where to the south the Wet Mountains and Spanish Peaks loom. In the other direction, Mount Rosa is most prominent with Almagre Mountain.

Trip log: 4.2 miles round trip (out and back), 816-foot elevation gain, 9,231 feet max

Difficulty: Moderate

Getting there: Off Interstate 25, take exit for Lake Avenue. Turn right onto Lake Circle and continue to roundabout, going left onto Mesa Avenue. Follow to four-way and go left on El Pomar Road, continuing to slight right onto Old Stage Road. After 5.6 miles on the dirt road, turn left for Forest Road 371. The parking area is to the left in a quarter-mile.

FYI: High-clearance/four-wheel drive not necessary, but you’ll want something sturdy for the rough road. Dangerous drive when icy. Dogs on leash. No camping along trail.