Route Editor
Route Scout
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DESTINATION Dome Rock State Wildlife Area 11 Photosets 2022-10-07 2021-10-04 2020-10-01 2019-10-02 2018-09-10 2017-10-04 2016-09-27 2015-10-01 2014-10-06 2014-07-20 2013-10-15 |
| HAZ Member sneakySASQUATCH's 422 Photosets 2013-12-02 2013-11-11 2013-11-08 2013-11-06 2013-10-19 2013-10-15 2013-10-14 2013-10-12 2013-10-07 2013-10-06 2013-10-02 2013-09-17 2013-09-07 2013-08-21 2013-07-24 2013-07-17 2013-07-03 2013-07-02 2013-06-25 2013-06-23
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I've enjoyed the fall colors on this side of Pikes Peak and this hike caught my eye. This hike had everything. Rock formations fall colors and a summit. It follows and old stage coach road past the ruins of an old private hunting lodge that burned down in the 40s. It had several water crossings as it follows a creek that has been dammed up by beavers. Stay to the right along the slope to bypass all of these crossings. I ran into a honeymooning couple as I was heading to the overlook. She had fallen in trying to jump across and were on the other side of a major crossing. They had turned back because of the crossings. I ran into them in the last 1/2 mile and they had taken another trail to make a shorter loop but never made it to Dome Rock because of the crossings. I suspect this became Dome Rock State Wilderness for the Sheep lambing as it used to be part of Mueller State Park. There are a couple dome shaped granite monoliths in the area and other formations. The trail I took back climbs up around Dome Rock along an aspen forest. The summit views were awesome despite snow, overcast skies and Pikes Peak being in a cloud. Hiking offtrail to the summit was relatively easy. I do not think I would climb to the top in wet or icy weather. The runnels channelling from the top of dome rock are deep and interesting. Fall colors looked to have peaked until I got higher in elevation. The trail widens again after leaving the rock and the rest of the hike was a quiet climb through a large aspen forest with intermittent rock formations and lots of fall colors. A definite must do for fall colors. I got snowed on and the temps. Started going down toward the end of the hike although I don't think the temps hit 32 today. The only thing that would've made it better was having Muesli along, unfortunately dogs, Mtn Bikes, camping, fires, or climbing with gear are not allowed. Check the description as the middle third of the hike including the dome rock overlook are closed during Mtn Sheep lambing season which leaves you middle July to the end of November. 
