The large Limekiln parking lot at Cheyenne Mountain State Park was by no means full at our last visit. But it was as full as we had ever seen it.

It got us thinking: Were more people in Colorado Springs taking advantage of the Keep Colorado Wild Pass? That’s the vehicle registration add-on that was introduced in 2023, serving as a pass to the state parks.

Maybe more were taking advantage of the pass, maybe not. Either way, it was refreshing to see more people at the park that we have long deemed overlooked. Overlooked — the park around the Pikes Peak region’s second-most iconic mountain, of all places.

How to best appreciate Cheyenne Mountain? Sundance Trail is a good bet. The mountain’s humbling, craggy face remains in view for almost the entire loop.

We did the loop clockwise, knocking out our least favorite stretch first. The view is splendid from the meadow, but the noise from Colorado 115 is less than ideal.

To the south of the parking lot, near the bathroom and playground, see the steps leading down to the trail running left. The trail gently ascends and winds away from the highway, into the embrace of shady woods in about a mile.

The shade is sporadic along the well-marked route, never blocking the view for long. Our tracker read 1.25 miles where we stayed straight at a junction. Farther ahead, yellow posts for Talon Trail appear; stay straight to find red-marked Sundance continuing.

Ahead, Cheyenne Mountain feels closer than ever, neighboring a forested ridge. The trail exits the trees again along a slope overlooking the park’s broad, mixed mosaic and the plains and sky ahead. The parking lot also returns into view.

Trip log: 3.4 miles round trip (loop), 464 feet elevation gain

Getting there: State park at 410 JL Ranch Heights Road. Entrance off Colorado 115, across from Fort Carson gate. Ahead of the pay kiosk, the road leads straight to the Limekiln parking lot.

FYI: Without Keep Colorado Wild Pass, $10 day pass per vehicle. Hiking and biking on trail. No dogs.

SETH BOSTER, THE GAZETTE