First review of new trail to Cheyenne Mountain summit
Greg Hiltbrand was among the first to try out the new trail to the top of Cheyenne Mountain.
Afterward, he shared his thoughts with KRDO Newschannel 13.
The trail, under construction for the past several years, officially opened to the public on Tuesday morning.
It starts gently inside Cheyenne Mountain State Park on Highway 115, then the 3.3-mile Talon Trail becomes the 4.5-mile Dixon Trail.
According to Colorado Parks and Wildlife, two more trails can be accessed at the end of the Dixon Trail.
Mountain Loop is a 1.4-mile, difficult trail that takes hikers through several aspen groves. Dragon’s Backbone is an .85-mile strenuous hike with impressive views of Colorado Springs.
CPW considers it a 17-mile roundtrip, longer than nearly all others in the Pikes Peak region with the exception of Pikes Peak itself, and labels it a “difficult to extreme” trail.
However, Hiltbrand believes his trek was more like 20.5 miles. He started bright and early and finished around 4pm.
“The Dixon trail is well marked and is full of strenuous sections and a interesting crashed plane,” he wrote afterward in an email to KRDO.
Hiltbrand said the trail ended before reaching the true summit, and although the Mountain Loop trail through the trees offered no good views over Colorado Springs, the Dragon’s Backbone through rocky crags offered especially impressive views of the city and Fort Carson.
CPW warned interested hikers that there were no restrooms nor places to fill up a water bottle along the way, and Hiltbrand added his own words of caution.
“I had 3 liters of water and should of had more. It was cool in the low 60’s but a hot summer day would require a lot more water. Obviously everyone should have a map, food, water, extra layer, and a good headlamp with batteries if it takes longer than expected. Cell phones work on the entire route. Light trail runners (shoes) are fine for the entire route. Comfortable light boots that don’t blister your feet would be fine too, and due to the steep downhills, trekking poles are extremely helpful for balance and save your knee joints.”
He also said the hike was “as difficult as any 14er without the long drive and altitude.”
Hiltbrand recommended hikers consider riding a bike along the Talon Trail and parking it at the beginning of the Dixon Trail, saying that would shave off approximately 7 miles.
