Local trails flooded, closed for holiday
One by one, vehicles arrived, saw the disappointing scene, turned around and left.
It happened Friday to drivers hoping to hike or bike in popular Red Rock Canyon. Earlier this week, the city closed the park for the Memorial Day weekend because of flood damage from recent rains.
It’s one of 12 trails in Colorado Springs and El Paso County that, because of flooding, won’t be accessible during the holiday to outdoor enthusiasts from all over the world.
The closure of Red Rock Canyon surprised and disappointed Kevin Brodeur of Connecticut.
“Today’s been the first day I’ve had a chance to really get outside. It’s been raining since I got here Tuesday. I guess that’s just my luck.”
Brodeur was making his second visit to the park, but he could only look at the mess made by water, rocks and sediment.
Sawyer Gilsdorf, a local hiker, was in the park with a group of friends. They said they entered through “a back way” and didn’t know the park was closed until a state trooper informed them.
“It’s weirdly pretty,” Gilsdorf said. “There are so many different kinds of rocks on the trail (and) they’re so washed out, you can hardly tell you’re on one.”
Scott Abbott of Colorado Springs Parks and Recreation said the city closed two more trails but nearly every trail is soaked or muddy from constant rain.
“Water is still draining so we’re expecting more damage,” he said. “We don’t know how much more we’ll see, let alone how much repairing it will cost.”
Abbott said the city will have crews continuing to repair damaged trails over the weekend. El Paso County plans to resume repairs after the holiday.
Because trails are so vulnerable, Susan Davies of the Trails and Open Space Coalition asks that people stay off trails that are closed.
“If you don’t, you can make the damage worse,” she said. “It’ll be that much harder to bring those trails back. And the tendency is, you see a big puddle, what do you do? You walk around it. And then you make that trail wider.”
Abbott and Davies said the trails need time to dry out before they can be cleaned and repaired.
Closed Trails in Colorado Springs:
The Midland Trail between 26th Street and Ridge Road
Red Rock Canyon Open Space due to the extensive damage caused by recent rains and a dam breach within Sand Canyon. At this time, no private property is affected. Park staff is assessing damage and trail conditions throughout the entire property.
Foot Hills Trail within Garden of the Gods between Gateway Road and the Navigators.
Pikes Peak Greenway Trail between Nevada Avenue and El Pomar Youth Sports Park
Closed Trails in El Paso County:
New Santa Fe Regional Trail
The trail section through the Air Force Academy (AFA) has been temporarily closed by the AFA due to heighten security concerns.
Rainbow Falls Recreation Area
The site is temporarily closed due to flooding issues and CDOT road closures.
Ute Pass Regional Trail
The trail is closed from Crystola Canyon Road south to Green Mountain Falls Road due to trail washouts.
Fountain Creek Regional Trail
1. The Hanson Trailhead is closed in addition to area trails. The bridge across Fountain Creek near the trailhead is also closed.
2. The Fishers Canyon trail section (near Maxwell Street Trailhead) is closed due to structural issues.
3. The trail section through the Stratmoor Valley Trailhead is closed due to creek bank failures and trail washouts.
4. The trail sections near Willow Springs Ponds and Highway 16 underpass are closed due to creek bank failures and washout of trails.
Clear Springs Ranch
Trail closed at low water crossing approximately mile north of the trailhead.
Regional Park Trails
Numerous trails in regional parks have been impacted by flooding. Park users are advised to use caution on all regional park trails.
Trails in the Cheyenne Mountain, Lake Pueblo and Mueller state parks are open.
