In a quiet nook of Palmer Park, a sign recalls Edna Mae Bennett’s “inviting love for the out-of-doors.” Yes, just as she loved this park of colorful bluffs near the heart of Colorado Springs, she loved sharing it, inviting others to it. Hence the school program she hosted here, according to the sign posted by the trail that was built in her honor following her death in 1972. 

The woman is no longer here, but Edna Mae Bennett Nature Trail continues to share her love. 

Previously in this space we highlighted Templeton Trail, which we consider the ultimate showcase of Palmer Park. Edna Mae Bennett Nature Trail serves as a shorter, more beginner-friendly showcase, similarly touring the park’s signature geology.

We started from the North Cañon trailhead; Edna Mae Bennett Trail is marked beside the bathroom here at the park’s entrance along Paseo Road, by Mark Reyner Stables. The trail gently rises to a marked split, where we went left for the first of many Pikes Peak views to come. 

The path narrows between rock gardens and woods before reaching that sign celebrating Edna Mae Bennett. Here the trail climbs through the tall pine forest, up to another marker, where we stayed straight. 

Soon the timber breaks for views looking to downtown, Cheyenne Mountain and the distant Spanish Peaks on a clear day. More wide-open vistas continue along the park’s upper, rugged rims decorated by more ancient formations. Our tracker was shy of a mile when we came to a post pointing down for the Edna Mae Bennett trail.

Rock steps lead to a natural shelf of more open views; the trail continues down to the right of the steps. The steps continue back to the parking lot. 

Trip log: 1.1 miles (loop)

Getting there: North Cañon Trailhead’s small parking lot neighbors Mark Reyner Stables, 3254 Paseo Road. Off Interstate 25, exit for West Fillmore Street and drive almost 3 miles to left turn for Paseo Road. Trailhead on the left. 

FYI: Park open 5 a.m.-9 p.m. Multi-use trail. 

SETH BOSTER, THE GAZETTE