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8 new trails in Colorado to check out this summer

By March 5, 2021 | updated 5 years ago

1. Pineries Open Space TrailCross the Palmer Divide near Colorado Springs via the new Pineries Open Space Trail. The new open space in Black Forest features about 9 miles of trail in a loop through rare and unique plants as well as a mature Ponderosa pine forest.Photo Credit: Seth Boster, The Gazette.

While the hiking opportunities already seem endless in Colorado, more trails are being built and improved throughout the state each year. Here are eight new trails to try this summer.

1. Pineries Open Space TrailCross the Palmer Divide near Colorado Springs via the new Pineries Open Space Trail. The new open space in Black Forest features about 9 miles of trail in a loop through rare and unique plants as well as a mature Ponderosa pine forest.Photo Credit: Seth Boster, The Gazette.
1. Pineries Open Space TrailCross the Palmer Divide near Colorado Springs via the new Pineries Open Space Trail. The new open space in Black Forest features about 9 miles of trail in a loop through rare and unique plants as well as a mature Ponderosa pine forest.Photo Credit: Seth Boster, The Gazette.
2. Ouray Perimeter TrailThe long-awaited completion of the Ouray Perimeter Trail was announced in fall of 2020, featuring a 6.5-mile loop above Cascade Falls.Photo Credit: Seth Boster, The Gazette.
2. Ouray Perimeter TrailThe long-awaited completion of the Ouray Perimeter Trail was announced in fall of 2020, featuring a 6.5-mile loop above Cascade Falls.Photo Credit: Seth Boster, The Gazette.
3. Palisade PlungeThe mountain biking community in Colorado and beyond has been highly anticipating the full opening of the Palisade Plunge. This singletrack adventure from the top of Grand Mesa to the town of Palisade features 32 miles and 6,000 feet of descent through various landscapes, including desert, forest, streams, and meadows. Phase 1, the lower half of the Plunge, opened in fall of 2020. The second and final phase is expected to open in spring of 2021.Photo by Joey Early, Rocky Mounts.
3. Palisade PlungeThe mountain biking community in Colorado and beyond has been highly anticipating the full opening of the Palisade Plunge. This singletrack adventure from the top of Grand Mesa to the town of Palisade features 32 miles and 6,000 feet of descent through various landscapes, including desert, forest, streams, and meadows. Phase 1, the lower half of the Plunge, opened in fall of 2020. The second and final phase is expected to open in spring of 2021.Photo by Joey Early, Rocky Mounts.
4. Lake San CristobalColorado seems to have it all - even an archipelago. Lake San Cristobal near Lake City features a peninsula and two islands connected by a scenic suspension bridge. Nonprofit Great Outdoors Colorado helped fund the purchase of 10 acres of the peninsula, which previously was private land for more than a century. Lake San Cristobal is the second-largest natural lake in Colorado.Photo courtesy of Friends of Lake San Cristobal.
4. Lake San CristobalColorado seems to have it all – even an archipelago. Lake San Cristobal near Lake City features a peninsula and two islands connected by a scenic suspension bridge. Nonprofit Great Outdoors Colorado helped fund the purchase of 10 acres of the peninsula, which previously was private land for more than a century. Lake San Cristobal is the second-largest natural lake in Colorado.Photo courtesy of Friends of Lake San Cristobal.
5. The Lion TrailOne of the most popular parks in Colorado Springs opened a new, alternative trail catering to mountain bikers. The Lion Trail in Red Rock Canyon Open Space is 2,500 feet of flowy single track. Lion Trail is intended to serve as an alternative descent that leads to another favored segment in the park that’s along the Hogback rock formations.Photo courtesy Colorado Springs Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services.
5. The Lion TrailOne of the most popular parks in Colorado Springs opened a new, alternative trail catering to mountain bikers. The Lion Trail in Red Rock Canyon Open Space is 2,500 feet of flowy single track. Lion Trail is intended to serve as an alternative descent that leads to another favored segment in the park that’s along the Hogback rock formations.Photo courtesy Colorado Springs Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services.
6. Sandstone Meadow LoopA new trail opened in Douglas County’s “crown jewel,” Sandstone Ranch Open Space near Larkspur. At just less than 4 miles, the Sandstone Meadow Loop is perfect for a leisurely hike or bike ride through golden meadows and a section of pines, backdropped with mountainous views of the Front Range foothills.Photo by Seth Boster, The Gazette.
6. Sandstone Meadow LoopA new trail opened in Douglas County’s “crown jewel,” Sandstone Ranch Open Space near Larkspur. At just less than 4 miles, the Sandstone Meadow Loop is perfect for a leisurely hike or bike ride through golden meadows and a section of pines, backdropped with mountainous views of the Front Range foothills.Photo by Seth Boster, The Gazette.
7. Mount Elbert TrailMount Elbert Trail (also listed on some maps as South Mount Elbert Trail), has been in the works since 2017 to be rerouted from Twin Lakes to the summit of Colorado’s highest point. Mount Elbert towers up to 14,433 feet above sea level, and after years of heavy use, some fragile alpine plant life has been damaged by hikers in an area known as the “Cat’s Claw”. The trail workers plan to reroute the trail, regrade eroded areas, and implement sustainable features in order to save the fragile plant life.Author’s Note: Mount Elbert is Colorado’s highest mountain in elevation. Know the risks of being in exposed areas of the mountain, especially during summer months when afternoon thunderstorms are likely, and the effects of altitude sickness.Photo Credit: Leslie James, OutThere Colorado.
7. Mount Elbert TrailMount Elbert Trail (also listed on some maps as South Mount Elbert Trail), has been in the works since 2017 to be rerouted from Twin Lakes to the summit of Colorado’s highest point. Mount Elbert towers up to 14,433 feet above sea level, and after years of heavy use, some fragile alpine plant life has been damaged by hikers in an area known as the “Cat’s Claw”. The trail workers plan to reroute the trail, regrade eroded areas, and implement sustainable features in order to save the fragile plant life.Author’s Note: Mount Elbert is Colorado’s highest mountain in elevation. Know the risks of being in exposed areas of the mountain, especially during summer months when afternoon thunderstorms are likely, and the effects of altitude sickness.Photo Credit: Leslie James, OutThere Colorado.
Leave No TraceWhile out on the trail, reduce harm to the natural environment in Colorado by following the seven Leave No Trace principles: plan ahead and prepare, travel and camp on durable surfaces, dispose of waste properly, leave what you find, minimize campfire impacts, respect wildlife, and be considerate of other visitors.Photo Courtesy: Bernie Nagy
Leave No TraceWhile out on the trail, reduce harm to the natural environment in Colorado by following the seven Leave No Trace principles: plan ahead and prepare, travel and camp on durable surfaces, dispose of waste properly, leave what you find, minimize campfire impacts, respect wildlife, and be considerate of other visitors.Photo Courtesy: Bernie Nagy
8. Fishers Peak State ParkColorado’s newest state park opened in 2020, becoming the 42nd state park. Fishers Peak State Park is named for the tabletop mountain that reaches 9,633 in elevation in southern Colorado. The summit was formed by lava and is considered an icon by the locals of Trinidad. The state park is still being developed for outdoor recreation, but trails like First Look Trail, Discovery Trail, and Challenge Trail are now open.Photo Credit: Forrest Czarnecki, The Gazette.
8. Fishers Peak State ParkColorado’s newest state park opened in 2020, becoming the 42nd state park. Fishers Peak State Park is named for the tabletop mountain that reaches 9,633 in elevation in southern Colorado. The summit was formed by lava and is considered an icon by the locals of Trinidad. The state park is still being developed for outdoor recreation, but trails like First Look Trail, Discovery Trail, and Challenge Trail are now open.Photo Credit: Forrest Czarnecki, The Gazette.
Leslie James

Reporter

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