Skip to Content

You can finally hike to the top of Cheyenne Mountain

After weeks of anticipation following the first announcement, the Dixon Trail to the top of Cheyenne Mountain will be opening this week.

It’s the first time hikers will be able to reach the summit on foot, and Colorado Parks & Wildlife announced that you’ll be able to attempt the climb starting Tuesday.

The keyword being “attempt,” because this trail sounds grueling and is rated difficult-to-extreme. Here’s what you can expect if you want to get to the summit overlooking Colorado Springs:

You’ll leave the Limekiln trailhead parking lot and follow the Talon Trail about 3.3 miles through “gentle foothills,” according to CP&W. After the Talon Trail, you’ll hook on to the newly completed Dixon Trail. The Dixon trail gains 2,500 feet of elevation over 4.5 miles of terrain. That’s where the trail will get challenging as it goes through dense forest, over rock outcroppings, and up steep switchbacks.

After that, though, you’ll run into an aspen grove and the ruins of a plane crash from 1957. Two more trails are available at the top: the 1.4-mile Mountain Loop trail and the .85-mile Dragon’s Backbone trail.

Camping isn’t allowed on the trail, and it’s only open to hikers for now. Sections of the trail are too difficult for mountain bikers and equestrians to access.

CP&W also says there will be crews along the trail working on final touches before a formal grand opening in October.

It costs $7 for a daily pass to Cheyenne Mountain State Park per vehicle.

Article Topic Follows: News

Jump to comments ↓

Author Profile Photo

KRDO News

BE PART OF THE CONVERSATION

KRDO NewsChannel 13 is committed to providing a forum for civil and constructive conversation.

Please keep your comments respectful and relevant. You can review our Community Guidelines by clicking here

If you would like to share a story idea, please submit it here.