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A simple run with stunning views.


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Map Key

3.7

Miles

6.0

KM

92%

Runnable

6,651' 2,027 m

High

6,206' 1,892 m

Low

522' 159 m

Up

519' 158 m

Down

5%

Avg Grade (3°)

16%

Max Grade (9°)

Dogs Leashed

Features Views · Wildlife

Overview

A quick run, offering a sense of isolation and beautiful views of the western landscape, Garden of the Gods, and the red rock that gives Red Rock Canyon its name.

Starts with a mild, yet steady, 1.5 mile climb followed by a fun descent. The run then enters Red Rock Canyon before climbing back up to grasslands and returning to the trailhead.

Description

From the parking area, climb the dirt trail up to the dirt road and follow uphill to the right. The trail will be about .25 miles in on the left. This provides the warm up for the run.

The run starts on the Hogback trail, a well-worn singletrack between two ridges (Hogbacks), which gives a sense of isolation from the city that is tucked away on the other side. The view is spectacular with the mountains in the distance, walls of rock on either side and grasses, shrubs, and trees dotting the valley that the trail takes you through.

The trail climbs steadily, at a 6% grade, for about 1.5 miles before a switchback redirects you to the north (where the trail becomes the "Lion Trail") towards a notch in the western hogback. At this notch, there is a trail heading south that leads to trails in Section 16, the Palmer Loop and the Intemann trail. This run will drop down to the right where Garden of the Gods stands in the distance.

The trail drops into a valley and connects with the Red Rock Rim Trail, where the run heads left and then curves to the right into the Red Rocks.

The Red Rocks part and the Rim Trail ends at the appropriately named Red Rock canyon trail. Continue through the Red Rock past the lake and the old house (soon to be visitor's center) through the gate. There, a trail rises steeply to the right and deposits you back on the Red Rock Rim trail which winds around and up before dropping you back to the original Hogback Trail Trailhead.

Contacts

Land Manager: City of Colorado Springs

Shared By:

Jason Doedderlein with improvements by Toby Broyles

Trail Ratings

  3.9 from 24 votes

#1249

Overall
  3.9 from 24 votes
5 Star
21%
4 Star
54%
3 Star
21%
2 Star
4%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#241

in Colorado

#1,249

Overall
28 Views Last Month
4,847 Since Mar 20, 2015
Intermediate Intermediate

13%
4%
74%
0%
9%
0%

Photos

Open paths & fall colors
Mar 7, 2019 near Colorad…, CO
Looking down the Codell Trail ridge.
Sep 28, 2018 near Manitou…, CO
Sunset heading back north on the Hogback Valley Trail
Sep 28, 2018 near Colorad…, CO
View of Garden of the Gods in the heat of a Colorado summer from Red Rock Canyon OS.
Mar 23, 2015 near Colorad…, CO
Sunrise over Red Rock Canyon.
Mar 25, 2019 near Manitou…, CO
Dusk panorama of Colorado Springs to the NE. L-R you can see Pulpit Rock, Palmer Park, Bear Creek and Cheyenne Mountain.
Mar 25, 2019 near Colorad…, CO

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Current Trail Conditions

Minor Issues 16 days ago
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