I didn’t know if I was going the right way for the first 1/2 mile because there were no trail markers indicating that I was on the Palmer Red Rock trail, and there was a couple of trail branches with no markers. Luckily I met some hikers coming down who told me that I was going the right way, and that it was going to get steep.
It was pretty steep and rocky after the 3/4 mile mark until the 1.5 mile mark. It was all smooth sailing after that. I’d probably recommend going through the trail backward because it seemed much smoother and gradual on the way down.
I saw three species of birds that I’d never seen before including:
- One with an elaborate black and white pattern
- One with an incredibly vibrant yellow with some black
- A smaller one that I don’t remember clearly
This was another hike from 60 Hikes within 60 miles, but there is no way this is within 60 miles.
Many of the hikes in Colorado Springs are great, but also short and easy. At six miles and with a difficult rating, the Palmer Red Rock Loop is a break from the norm. The trail takes hikers on a loop in the foothills on the western edge of Colorado Springs. The first half of the loop ascends and the second half descends.
60 Hikes within 60 Miles by Kim Lipker
Here are the stats:
- Distance = 5.58 mi
- Elevation = 1,227 ft
- Time = 2:14:08
- Avg Speed = 2.5 mph
- Min elevation = 6,608 ft
Here are the pics:
Here is the elevation graph:
