So teach us to number our days so that we can present to Thee a heart of wisdom. Psalms 90:12
Spruce Mountain can be seen from I 25 at the Greenland exit between Monument and Larkspur, Colorado. There is an old ranch house, an Open Space area (good in the winter for snowshoeing), set off the gravel road over a couple of old sets of railroad tracks. Spruce Mountain has a large parking area and porta-potties at … Continue reading Cloudy Spruce Mountain
They lied…
Less than four miles should be easy. It should be a delightful day. We should have enough time before it gets too hot. The dog should be alright with a creek. There should be shade. We should have enough water – three 16 oz bottles. I should not burn as I have sunscreen on my face and arms. We should … Continue reading Sunstroke in Canyon
Check the weather. Take your hiking pack. Water. Treats, leash, bowel and waste bags for the dog. Look at the app and/or map to plan an unknown journey. Boots. Walking Stick. Camera/Phone. We are prepared for an early morning 4 mile hike in town on a new trail in Palmer Park. Or so I thought. Within 10 minutes of climbing on the north side … Continue reading Unexpected Change
Seven Bridges Trail in Colorado Springs is located high up in Cheyenne Canyon, and represents ‘perfection and completion’ to me. Colorado perfection. Red Rocks. Green Pine trees. Lime green Aspens. Blue Columbine flowers. Flowing Streams. No bugs. Cold, Clear Snow Melt. Rocks and huge boulders. Cerulean Blue Sky. Cool temperatures in the morning and hot afternoon. Moderate hiking difficulty for 3.7 miles climbing … Continue reading Perfect and Complete Trail
Trees. A short drive north of Colorado Springs is the area called Black Forest. From the air, the trees are so thick the area appears black. But how did it get its name? This hike is called Section 16 in Black Forest. We have other areas called Section 16, so what does this name mean? The Romans first … Continue reading Four Miles of Trees
Go back in time. People in America are moving westward to explore and settle and find their fortunes. They use trains to navigate across country. It is the middle 1800s to the mid 1900s. There are few roads across America and fewer cars, and passenger travel was still a viable option. Then the world changed. The Freight lines replaced the passenger … Continue reading Deserted Land: Rails to Trails
In the age of Covid-19, we must be adaptable. We wanted to walk in one area in the mountains, but it was closed. We went to Mueller State Park, but there can be no dogs on the trail, so that did not work. We finally drove to a favorite hike – Dome Rock Wildlife Viewing. In my five times … Continue reading Country Walking with Social Distancing
Devastation. Seven years have passed since fire destroyed Black Forest Regional Park north of Colorado Springs in 2013. We came here to become engaged in a little outbuilding I loved. The shack was miraculously not destroyed in the fire, and has been renewed by an Eagle Scout. It is still a special place to us. The burned out … Continue reading Renewal Takes Time
Palmer Park is a 200-acre park in the middle of my city of Colorado Springs. It is popular with mountain bikers, hikers, and dog owners. There are miles of trails and I have hiked here frequently for 22 years. On a busy cloudy weekend, parking was unavailable close to one of my favorite trails, so we drove … Continue reading New Old Paths