Canyon open space puts on a rock show

By Deb Acord, Special to the Rocky

Published September 1, 2008 at 6 p.m.

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For decades, visitors to Garden of the Gods, Colorado Springs' famous city park, gazed to the south and wondered about a similar grouping of red sandstone ridges.

In 2003, they could finally satisfy their curiosity when the city bought Red Rock Canyon. Today, those rocks are the centerpiece of Red Rock Canyon Open Space, a picturesque hiking and biking area that has quickly become a locals' favorite.

Red Rock covers about 800 acres on the west edge of Colorado Springs. It has 13 miles of trails ranging from easy to moderate and offers a link to many more miles on regional trails - Section 16 and Bear Creek Regional Park - and Pike National Forest.

The park offers a variety of hiking experiences. Hikers who travel on the Hogback Trail, on the eastern edge, will get a lesson in paleontology, illustrated by sandstone boulders studded with shark teeth and ammonites. To the west, trails take hikers through low-lying areas with stands of cottonwoods and tall grasses.

The open space's man-made pond, just off the Red Rock Canyon Path, is a still pool where the rocks' reflection and frequent visits by Canada geese and great blue herons attract painters and photographers. And a trail (for hikers only) built by a group that calls itself the Garden of Goddesses Club is designed for contemplation.

At a glance

* What: Red Rock Canyon Open Space, 789 acres with 13 miles of trails, owned by Colorado Springs and managed by the Colorado Springs Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Department.

* Where: on the west edge of Colorado Springs

* To get there: From Denver, take Interstate 25 south to Colorado Springs. Take the Manitou Springs/U.S. Highway 24 exit to the west. Just past the 31st Street light, watch for left-turn lane to South Ridge Road. Turn left and park in the lot. (Optional parking lot suitable for horse trailers: At the 31st Street light, turn left and watch for parking lot on your right.)

* Watch for: mule deer, black bear, red fox, prairie rattlesnake, great horned owl

* Best part: The versatility of this open space. Trails (all marked for use) are open to horses, bikes and dogs (on leashes), and climbers are drawn to established routes on the sandstone ridges, rated up to 5.13.

* Difficulty of hike: Trails vary from easy to moderate. For a more difficult/lengthy hike, hook up with the Section 16 trail that takes you to miles of trails in the million-acre Pike National Forest.

* Details: No entrance fee. Some trails suitable for strollers and wheelchairs, when the ground is dry. Dogs must be leashed except in dog area. Climbing guide is available at Garden of the Gods Visitor Center.

* More information: redrockcanyonopenspace.org (Friends of Red Rock Canyon)

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