Flooding temporarily closes popular hiking trails

Two popular hiking and biking trails have been damaged by heavy rain and flooding.

Flooding near Camp Creek damaged the Foot Hills Trail inside Garden of the Gods. The trail has been closed between Gateway Road and the Navigators.

“The trails are in pretty good shape but there’s definitely some erosion from the rain we’ve had,” said John Gardner, a member of the Pikes Peak Road Runners. “I think most people are respectful of the closure signs and looking for alternate routes.”

The closures are affecting the way that Tim Steffens gets to the park. He’s also a member of the Pikes Peak Road Runners. The group runs inside Garden of the Gods two times a week.

“I work right off of Garden of the Gods and 30th Street, and I will run from work,” Steffens said. “This closed my access to get into the park from over there, so now I drive here.”

Washouts near Fountain Creek also closed a portion of Greenway Trail between Nevada Avenue and El Pomar Youth Sports Park.

City crews are working to repair the damage, but don’t know when the trails will reopen.

Runners said they are happy with mitigation efforts along the trails.

“We could always use the moisture,” Gardner said. “The city and the people that have been involved with the mitigation for the rain have done a really good job.”