Trails are coming together around a hidden canyonland between Denver and Colorado Springs, soon to be realized after much anticipation. 

On the southeast edge of Castle Rock, Lost Canyon Ranch Open Space is set to open this summer. That was the word at an April town council meeting, which included an update on trail construction and a map showing about 15 miles of loops exploring Lost Canyon’s verdant, creek-fed floor to rugged, panoramic rims and forests and rock formations in between.

Nearly two years after the 681 acres were acquired ー making it the town of Castle Rock’s largest ever open space acquisition ー trails could open mid-summer, Assistant Parks Director Jeff Smullen recently told The Gazette. 

“It is so exciting,” he said. “There is nothing like it in Castle Rock. Really, it’s like bringing the mountains to people right here in town.” 

A short drive from downtown, a close comparison to Lost Canyon is the bordering Castlewood Canyon State Park. A connector trail is planned between the two lands. Smullen said he expected the connection to be built this summer, calling it “a really exciting part of the project.” 

But far from the only exciting part in his mind. 

“There’s the geologic features, the wildlife, the different forest types, the mesa, the valley floor,” Smullen said. “There are so many unique aspects of the property. You could just spend hours out there and feel like you’re away from everything.” 

Only hikers will feel that ー in line with a conservation easement and master plan that collected feedback seeking solitary, “low-impact” recreation. And it’s possible not all of the master plan’s 15 miles of trail will open this summer, Smullen said. 

“If not every trail is completely open, there will still be plenty to hike and spend hours out there,” he said. 

Along with trails, construction has focused on road improvements and two trailhead parking lots. 

Through the neighborhood and gate on Lost Canyon Ranch Road, drivers will first meet the Creekside Trailhead, the smaller of the two for about 30 vehicles. The trailhead will access stacked loops called Rustler’s Ridge, Turkey Track, Gobbler’s Pass, Golden Eagle and Big Bear Hollow ー all of varying lengths and featuring varying environments.

An ADA accessible path will span a riparian corridor between those trails: Willow Creek Path will arrive at a dam and “great, 360-degree views of inside the canyon,” Smullen said. From Willow Creek Path, one could connect to Bootlegger’s Loop, touring the canyon’s upper rims and tall, evergreen woods. 

That longer loop will be popularly accessed from the Cattleman’s Trailhead, to be complete with a parking lot for about 120 vehicles atop Lost Canyon’s grassy mesa. Other options from here will include another ADA accessible path and the Lost Moccasin and Echoes of Ancestors Trail, near cliffs running out to Castlewood Canyon State Park. 

It would all be enough to spread out crowds, Smullen suspected. He suspected Lost Canyon would maintain a “hidden gem” status as people steadily discovered it. 

“I think it’ll be popular, but it’s large and it’ll be able to handle the use that it will see,” Smullen said.