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| Mt Rosa elev 11503 Manitou Springs, CO | |
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| | Mt Rosa elev 11503 Manitou Springs, CO | | | |
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Mt Rosa elev 11503 Manitou Springs, CO
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| Hiking | 7.17 Miles |
1,618 AEG |
| | Hiking | 7.17 Miles | 4 Hrs 44 Mns | | 2.22 mph |
| 1,618 ft AEG | 1 Hour 30 Mns Break | | | |
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| no partners | | This was really a great hike but the drive requires a bit of patience and a vehicle with good tires and good brakes. There are nearly 12 miles of dirt road, often having washboard and often having narrow lanes near the end of a mountain.
I parked right after a water crossing only 0.37 miles up FSR 379. From there I walked about 1.22 miles up FSR 379. On the right side there was a fence with an angled opening that apparently cattle can't figure out how to get through. But, no cattle up here. I walked through the opening in the fence and there was a clearing and an obvious well-designed trail up ahead. Once I got on this trail, I knew I was in the right area.
I followed this trail Northeast until I reached a T-junction, then I turned right. After this turn, the trail is relatively low grade (class 1), and goes around a canyon. Then, there are some switchbacks going up. The grade in this area goes up to a class 2, but there is nothing more than that. In a while I got to a saddle which is under 11,000 feet elevation. I followed the well-maintained trail South and went up a little more in elevation. There was a really nice flat area with a lot of pines all around. The trail was sandy and not rocky here. This was probably the most pleasant part of the entire hike. Looking South you will see Mt Rosa. The trail continues to go to the top with a few switchbacks along the way. At the summit, I found a registry in an ammo box. Looking North I could see Pikes peak in the far distance. It was hard to believe it was almost 3,000 feet higher than where I was. There was another high mountain to the West with radio towers and I figured out that was called Almagre peak.
After about 15 minutes at the summit, another hiker arrived. This was the only other person I saw during my hike. He was a local and mentioned that Gold Camp road goes way up there somewhere, probably better close to Almagre peak. This road must have been a massive engineering project because it continues for probably 30 miles or more.
There was a rumbling of thunder to the South. I felt a few rain drops. By this time it was already after 1 pm and I decided to get off the summit for safety. I hiked back down the same trail and stopped to have lunch before 2 pm after I got off the high ridge line.
All in all it was a great hike and I enjoyed it. The drive was probably just as difficult!
Stats:
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Distance round trip 7.17 miles
AEG 1,618 feet
Strava moving time 3 hrs 18 mins
Strava elapsed time 4 hrs 44 mins
Driving directions
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High clearance OR 4x4 recommended. Probably possible with a regular vehicle with good tires but you'll need to take it slow.
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From Colorado Springs / I-25 area, take the exit for Lake Ave and travel WEST.
Head west on Lake Ave, continue for 2.0 mi
At the traffic circle, take the 3rd exit onto State Hwy 122
Continue onto Old Broadmoor Rd for 0.2 mi
Continue onto W Cheyenne Mountain Blvd for 0.2 mi
Keep left to stay on W Cheyenne Mountain Blvd , 1.4 mi
Slight right onto FSR 368/Old Stage Rd
Continue to follow Old Stage Rd for 6.9 mi
* Note the pavement ends 0.8 mi after the slight right onto Old Stage Rd.
*** Warning: from this point there are a lot of washboard roads, and sheer cliffs off the side of the road. Maybe sure you have good enough tires and that your brakes work well!
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Old Stage Rd turns left and becomes Gold Camp Rd/Upper Beaver Creek Rd
follow this for another 5.6 miles.
FSR 379 will be on your right.
If you have a capable 4x4 vehicle, you might try to drive FSR 379.
Otherwise you will need to find a place to park on the side of Gold Camp Rd.
I drove 0.37 miles on FSR 379 and decided to not drive any further because the road was quite rugged and rocky.
I parked on a flat area just past a water crossing.
From this point you will walk FSR 379 North about 1.22 miles to get to the Mt Rosa trailhead.
There were no signs at all, but the trail was an excellent trail. |
| _____________________
Michael Williams
IT Professional
Rocky Point Vacation Rentals
Ocean Front Condo in Rocky Point, Sonora, Mexico
www.beachfrontmexico.us
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