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A long, steep, exposed climb from the parking lot leads to easier terrain up high with big views.


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Map Key

4.0

Miles

6.4

KM

81%

Runnable

7,765' 2,367 m

High

6,030' 1,838 m

Low

1,737' 529 m

Up

2' 1 m

Down

8%

Avg Grade (5°)

20%

Max Grade (11°)

Dogs Leashed

Features Views

Occasionally closed in muddy/wet conditions.

Description

From the Mt. Falcon parking lot, you'll get a minimal warm up before the long grind on the Castle Rock Trail. There is no protection from the sun on most of this trail, so avoid hot days. This trail can be very crowded with runners, hikers, mountain bikers, and even horses.

About halfway up, a hard left turn (with just a touch of tree shade) offers a brief respite before the climbing kicks in again. Then it's more grinding to the top.

This trail continues all the way down to the other parking lot on the west side of the system at Mt. Falcon road, but most use Castle Trail to connect to the other great trails in the area. The views along the top of this trail are quite good, extending from Kansas to the continental divide!

If it's crowded or you want to avoid bikes, consider using Turkey Trot instead of this trail - they reconnect two-thirds of the way up the hill.

Contacts

Shared By:

Nick Wilder with improvements by Jim Haley

Trail Ratings

  3.9 from 24 votes

#958

Overall
  3.9 from 24 votes
5 Star
21%
4 Star
50%
3 Star
29%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Trail Rankings

#156

in Colorado

#958

Overall
31 Views Last Month
5,019 Since Mar 28, 2015
Intermediate

8%
0%
75%
0%
17%
0%

Photos

Near the Top of Castle Trail after climbing up the technical singletrack.
Jul 28, 2015 near Indian…, CO
The Walker, built in 1909, was destroyed by fire in 1918 from a lightning strike.
Mar 28, 2015 near Indian…, CO
Turkey Trot Trail in the distance, and Red Rock Park
Mar 28, 2015 near Morrison, CO
Running down Castle Trail
Mar 28, 2015 near Morrison, CO
View of the high peaks
Mar 28, 2015 near Indian…, CO
High peaks views from this easy stretch of Castle Trail
Mar 28, 2015 near Indian…, CO

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Weather


Current Trail Conditions

All Clear 13 days ago
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Check-Ins

Nov 24, 2022
Atsuko Ohtake
Nov 25, 2021
Atsuko Ohtake
Nov 20, 2021
L B
8mi
Jun 13, 2021
Ashley Papa
Jun 21, 2018
ericwu830
Out and back, east to west parking lots 8mi
Jun 17, 2018
Joseph Parks
4mi — 1h 00m
May 12, 2018
Brooke Webster
fun run in the fog today. the trail was barely muddy at all. a little damp at worst. in great condition.
Sep 12, 2017
Juan Gonzalez