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Red Rock Canyon Tour

RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Intermediate Intermediate
 3.9 (53)
  1. Areas
  2. CO
  3. …Front Range
  4. …Colorado Springs
  5. Red Rock Canyon Open Space
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“Better than Garden Of the Gods! ”

Jon Zanone
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Map Key

7.5

Miles

12.1

KM

65%

Singletrack

6,611' 2,015 m

High

6,195' 1,888 m

Low

861' 262 m

Up

859' 262 m

Down

4%

Avg Grade (2°)

14%

Max Grade (8°)

Dogs Leashed

E-Bikes Not Allowed

Overview

Varied terrain with great views. There is also a terrain and skill area east of the Ridge Road parking area.

Need to Know

This is a heavily used park. You'll encounter day hikers and small children, off leash dogs and horses. Douche-baggery is not encouraged.

Description

There are three access points - From I-25 take the Cimarron Street exit west. Cimarron Street will turn into Highway 24. After the 31st street light, turn left onto Ridge Road. Red Rock Canyon will be on the south side of the street. The parking lot is located at the end of Ridge Road. Another parking area is located just south of Hwy. 24 on 31st street. The third is a small area in the Crystal Hills subdivision.


The ride itself encompasses just about every type of riding - steep, rocky climbs, beautiful purpose-built singletrack and screaming fire road descents. The park is susceptible to damage after rains, and the soil is clay based - give it a rest after storms. After leaving the parking lot, you'll head up a steep but doable climb.

A gentle climb on lower Hogback Trail will lead to, in my opinion, the highlight of the climb - a run on the ridge of the easternmost hogback in the park. You'll continue to climb to Lion Trail. Your reward will be a fun, fast descent to what was once called the 'most beautiful landfill in America'. Bear left at the bottom, and climb Roundup Trail - a purpose-built singletrack that is a great workout.

At the first trail junction, bear right to Sand Canyon Trail, then left on Meadowlark. You'll then take Quarry Pass Trail to the top of the quarry that built a lot of Colorado Springs. A fast descent on Red Rock Rim Trail will take you back to Lower Hogback and the parking lot.

History & Background

For more info on the park visit springsgov.com/Page.aspx?Na…

Contacts

Local Club: Medicine Wheel Trail Advocates

Feb 26, 2024: Use YOUR voice to direct the future of recreation in Colorado: SCORP ’24

Feb 1, 2024: The Trail That Dare Not Speak its Name

Land Manager: City of Colorado Springs, CO- Parks, Trails & Open Space

Shared By:

Jon Zanone with improvements by Dave Alan and 2 others
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  3.9 from 53 votes

#1

in Red Rock Canyon Open Space

#413

Overall
  3.9 from 53 votes
5 Star
25%
4 Star
49%
3 Star
19%
2 Star
6%
1 Star
2%
Recommended Route Rankings

#1

in Red Rock Canyon Open S…

#114

in Colorado

#413

Overall
40 Views Last Month
25,253 Since Jan 2, 2014
Intermediate Intermediate
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Photos

Sand Canyon at Red Rock Canyon Open Space
Aug 18, 2018 near Manitou…, CO
Sunrise over Red Rock Canyon.
Dec 27, 2016 near Manitou…, CO
On the last tabletop
Mar 15, 2019 near Manitou…, CO
3 Jul 2011 - Garden of the Gods in the heat of a Colorado summer.
Jan 2, 2014 near Colorad…, CO
Dusk panorama of Colorado Springs to the NE. L-R you can see Pulpit Rock, Palmer Park, Bear Creek and Cheyenne Mountain.
Oct 5, 2016 near Colorad…, CO
Hogback Ridge is a fun climb with loose white stone.
Apr 6, 2016 near Manitou…, CO

4 Comments

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Weather

Current Trail Conditions

Minor Issues 48 days ago
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Sep 27, 2024
Jerry Garcia
Aug 11, 2024
Private User
Jun 7, 2024
Damselfly P
May 27, 2024
Alex Anaya
May 26, 2024
J Welle
Not this path. But around in this area. Steph's second ride 10mi
May 8, 2024
Carol V
they're replacing trail markers, so make sure you have some sort of GPS if you're new to the area.
Apr 23, 2024
Joe Browsky
Aug 20, 2023
dale huffman

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