HAPPY TRAILS STRATTON OPEN SPACE GOLD CAMP TRAIL

Anyone who has ever had a neardeath experience thanks to thefast, downhill mountain-bike traffic on the Chutes Trail willappreciate the pedestrian-only Gold Camp Trail.

Rating: Two boots. 3 miles roundtrip, 700 feet elevation gain.

To get there: Drive west on Cheyenne Boulevard to the entrance ofNorth Cheyenne Caon Park. Veer right on North Cheyenne Caon Roadinto the park and drive less than half a mile to a marked StrattonOpen Space trailhead on the right.

The hike: The trail starts on a service road at the west end ofthe parking lot. Follow the road up as it winds past a maintenanceshack and water tower and into the trees. The road narrows to atrail and levels out as it comes alongside Gold Camp Reservoir. Atthe north end of the reservoir, at a marked intersection, take GoldCamp Trail left and let the climbing begin.

The trail switchbacks up the foothills through oak brush andponderosa pines. In early spring, the southeast-facing slope is agood place to spot wildflowers and migrating birds. Near the top,the trail squeezes through a wooden fence and joins the Chutes Trailfor a few last steep steps to Gold Camp Road.

A pullout provides a sweeping view of the city, particularlystunning at night (making this spot a favorite for fullmoon hikersand late-night teenage parkers). Straight north look for the fins ofGarden of the Gods. Northeast lie the squat towers of downtown.Below, to the southeast, is the pinkish Broadmoor resort. Wait longenough and the chimes of Will Rogers Shrine of the Sun will echofrom Cheyenne Mountain. Return the way you came.

Details: No camping, no fires, no bikes on the Gold Camp Trail.

Dogs: On leash.

Information: Colorado Springs parks, 385-5940.

Rating system: A scale of one to four boots. One is easiest, withlittle elevation gain. Four is most difficult, with severe elevationgain, difficult terrain or extreme length.

HAPPY TRAILS STRATTON OPEN SPACE GOLD CAMP TRAIL

Anyone who has ever had a neardeath experience thanks to thefast, downhill mountain-bike traffic on the Chutes Trail willappreciate the pedestrian-only Gold Camp Trail.

Rating: Two boots. 3 miles roundtrip, 700 feet elevation gain.

To get there: Drive west on Cheyenne Boulevard to the entrance ofNorth Cheyenne Caon Park. Veer right on North Cheyenne Caon Roadinto the park and drive less than half a mile to a marked StrattonOpen Space trailhead on the right.

The hike: The trail starts on a service road at the west end ofthe parking lot. Follow the road up as it winds past a maintenanceshack and water tower and into the trees. The road narrows to atrail and levels out as it comes alongside Gold Camp Reservoir. Atthe north end of the reservoir, at a marked intersection, take GoldCamp Trail left and let the climbing begin.

The trail switchbacks up the foothills through oak brush andponderosa pines. In early spring, the southeast-facing slope is agood place to spot wildflowers and migrating birds. Near the top,the trail squeezes through a wooden fence and joins the Chutes Trailfor a few last steep steps to Gold Camp Road.

A pullout provides a sweeping view of the city, particularlystunning at night (making this spot a favorite for fullmoon hikersand late-night teenage parkers). Straight north look for the fins ofGarden of the Gods. Northeast lie the squat towers of downtown.Below, to the southeast, is the pinkish Broadmoor resort. Wait longenough and the chimes of Will Rogers Shrine of the Sun will echofrom Cheyenne Mountain. Return the way you came.

Details: No camping, no fires, no bikes on the Gold Camp Trail.

Dogs: On leash.

Information: Colorado Springs parks, 385-5940.

Rating system: A scale of one to four boots. One is easiest, withlittle elevation gain. Four is most difficult, with severe elevationgain, difficult terrain or extreme length.

HAPPY TRAILS STRATTON OPEN SPACE GOLD CAMP TRAIL

Anyone who has ever had a neardeath experience thanks to thefast, downhill mountain-bike traffic on the Chutes Trail willappreciate the pedestrian-only Gold Camp Trail.

Rating: Two boots. 3 miles roundtrip, 700 feet elevation gain.

To get there: Drive west on Cheyenne Boulevard to the entrance ofNorth Cheyenne Caon Park. Veer right on North Cheyenne Caon Roadinto the park and drive less than half a mile to a marked StrattonOpen Space trailhead on the right.

The hike: The trail starts on a service road at the west end ofthe parking lot. Follow the road up as it winds past a maintenanceshack and water tower and into the trees. The road narrows to atrail and levels out as it comes alongside Gold Camp Reservoir. Atthe north end of the reservoir, at a marked intersection, take GoldCamp Trail left and let the climbing begin.

The trail switchbacks up the foothills through oak brush andponderosa pines. In early spring, the southeast-facing slope is agood place to spot wildflowers and migrating birds. Near the top,the trail squeezes through a wooden fence and joins the Chutes Trailfor a few last steep steps to Gold Camp Road.

A pullout provides a sweeping view of the city, particularlystunning at night (making this spot a favorite for fullmoon hikersand late-night teenage parkers). Straight north look for the fins ofGarden of the Gods. Northeast lie the squat towers of downtown.Below, to the southeast, is the pinkish Broadmoor resort. Wait longenough and the chimes of Will Rogers Shrine of the Sun will echofrom Cheyenne Mountain. Return the way you came.

Details: No camping, no fires, no bikes on the Gold Camp Trail.

Dogs: On leash.

Information: Colorado Springs parks, 385-5940.

Rating system: A scale of one to four boots. One is easiest, withlittle elevation gain. Four is most difficult, with severe elevationgain, difficult terrain or extreme length.