Coyote Ridge loop

In Park County, Eleven Mile State Park is best known for its recreation on water. Kayakers, sailors, stand-up paddelboarders and anglers mingle on the 3,400 surface-acre reservoir. But the offerings on land are enticing, too.

Many opt for some 325 campsites, accommodating tents and hook-up trailers. But we’ve always found few take advantage of the trails.

Sure, it’s a modest system — a series of loops covering about 5 miles. But the variety of nature packed into that is surprising.

First, the views: the rock-festooned Tarryall Range all encompassing and a regal Pikes Peak and rolling Continental Divide. The reservoir shimmers in frequent sight, too. And along the trails you’ll be met by pines, aspens, meadows and rock gardens.

A fine introduction is the Coyote Ridge Trail, which accounts for the Ponderosa and Aspen loops as they’re mapped and marked.

We started from the southeast corner of the Coyote Ridge parking lot, electing to do the loop counter-clockwise. Ponderosa Trail skirts a scenic cove before springing to the left at a marker pointing straight to the campground. Go left, beside the tree-bordered wetlands.

At the next post, go right. And at the next post where you could go right for Midland Trail — the longer of the loops — stay straight for the Aspen Trail. Ahead, you’ll marvel at a mountain-shaped outcrop.

The trail trends north and gently rises to an overlook with a bench. At a marker beside a small cave, stay straight, continuing down through granite passages. Ahead, slightly off trail before the return to the parking lot, a table-like rock offers the best vista.

Trip log: 1.38 miles round trip, 210 feet elevation

Difficulty: Easy

Getting there: Getting there: From Colorado Springs, go west on U.S. 24 through Woodland Park and Florissant. In Lake George, turn left for County Road 90. About 10 miles to the park.

FYI: $9 day fee per vehicle. Hiking only. Day use 6 a.m.-10 p.m.