Manitou Incline... Have a day!…read more This is an epic CO hike and *can be conquered by anyone with a little intestinal fortitude... It's virtually straight up (2200+ ft vertical) then 4 miles down, no filling stations, and no shade, but is an absolute blast of a hike. It takes about 1.5 hours up and about 2-3 hours down, depending on your individual fitness level. The best part are the summit views and if you go up another 200M and take the backside Barr Trail down, the views get even better. Make sure to bring tons of water, wear good hikers (there are lots of switchbacks on the way down), and put on sun screen because it's 90+ degrees with no shade on a normal CO summer day... Don't be "that guy" or "that girl" that shows up without any gear (there were a ton of those people out there, and it's completely mind boggling), because Vegas odds are 3/2 you'll be a casualty. My best advice is take a minimum of 3L of water (I took 4L and went through all them from top to bottom, granted I sweat like a Vegas hooker in a Catholic Church), take two "tough pills" before you start, and take it slow and steady up... #slowissmoothandsmoothisfast. Make it to the top, take some great mountain pics, enjoy the trek down, and go get a celebratory cold CO crafty at one of the cool bars in Manitou springs after words.

5/5 stars?? I know, I'd have said 0/5-do not recommend, but for this:…read more If you want a serious workout, this is for you. It's been on my bucket list for a wee bit, though I'm not sure exactly why--perhaps the grueling challenge this offers, if only to challenge myself. I had no time constraints, just get to the top and back down again. I did it! I was no record-setter by any means, and I'm okay with that. Did I "train?" No. Did I acclimatize myself (being a flatlander from Kansas), yes! I brought lots of water and electrolytes and of course SNACKS, because, hello!! It's a hike and all hikes need snacks; not to mention it's grueling and your body needs the fuel. I went up to the top the first time and down Barr Trail--that is no joke either. Switchbacks and seemingly "huge" step downs--it has its own "obstacles." The sun was shining full strength so it was toasty--doable as I had a sun hoodie on, but also a tad miserable. Second time, slightly over halfway with a friend, we walked down a hundred steps to the bailout at 1300. That was absolutely fabulous! Gorgeous scenery and that day was nice and cool and foggy! Loved it! Switchbacks too, but seemingly not as bad as what the Barr Trail has. People on this trail?? Well, they're exceptionally wonderful. Everyone--EVERYONE--was supportive, encouraging and kind. People from just about everywhere. Would I do it again? Yes. When the weather is foggy and cool. Would I want to go down the 1300 step bailout, yes. The transition of trail grades is easier than on Barr Trail IMHO, but going down the Incline is sketchy--people do it, but it's steep and the recommendation is to NOT do so. It was questionable as to whether a permit was needed. I signed up--self-proclaimed rule follower that I am--only to find no one was checking anything!! So, you do you. It might be a way to have the state of CO see how many people and from where and to sign a waiver, but otherwise no one checked. I parked at a paid lot and took a free shuttle to The Incline and back--I later found out via word of mouth that there is free parking at a park nearby where the bus stops. **As an aside, I learned the day before I was planning on going that this is no joke, people have died or have been injured on this trail--please take necessary precautions for your health and wellbeing.**

Cheyenne Springs was one of the eight in town, and one of the four we found during our walk through…read morea snowy March after exploring the town on foot. This spring, as well as all of the other springs in Manitou Springs, have been here since the 1900's or even earlier than that. Only recently have these fancy sculptures have been installed to preserve and memorialize each spring and possibly to elevate them off the ground and protect them. The water here tasted like a mildly carbonated salty drink. I tried to bring some spring water home with me to Hawaii to make cocktails with but went over the weight-limit for baggage so I had to dump the water out. Too bad, because the water had a high mineral content and some umami to it. This particular spring has a high sodium (445 mg/L), calcium (437 mg/L) potassium (67.8 mg/L) and magnesium content (76.3 mg/L) with other minerals. The other spring we found were the Shoshone Spring (not working, unfortunately), the Navajo, and the Stratton Spring; each Spring has its own unique history.

This is another nice natural spring located right off of the busy Manitou Springs tourist district…read more There is metered street parking available and there are paid lots nearby. The spring is right in the middle of the sidewalk. You can bring your own container and get some water straight from the spring. It is easy to get to and get water from. Cheyenne Spring is a natural, sweet soda spring, from limestone aquifers a mile deep and believed to be 20,000 years old and comes from the melted snow from the nearby Pike's Peak. That being said, the water has a very "unique" taste and is an acquired taste. It has a distinct and strong carbonated mineral taste. I could only take a few sips of it and check that box off and then I had to dump it. his place is definitely worth a quick stop to check off the box. Be sure to visit the other 5 springs in the area that are said to all have thier own taste, but please meter your expectations

Helen Hunt Falls is not something you simply stumble upon. City slickers have to earn it a bit…read more Nearly three miles into North Cheyenne Cañon, the road leaves the city behind. Houses disappear well before the entrance to its mouth or rocky gates west of Starsmore Nature Center. Red granite walls rise closer, pine and cedar lean over the pavement, temperatures drop as the canyon wraps you in cool embrace. Helen Hunt Falls sits within a city park, but it never really feels like one. North Cheyenne Cañon is its own character. Intimate. Shaded. Winding. While the city feels far away, beware the tight hairpin curves and oncoming vehicles. In its own way, it is unique like South Cheyenne Cañon, home to the dramatic Seven Falls. Where Seven Falls dazzles with height and dramatics, this canyon offers its own closeness to stone, forest, and water. It is a place where the road slows, voices soften, and the canyon quietly reminds you how close wilderness can be to a city.

Super amazing quick little hike that you can drive up to near manitou springs with a good amount of…read morefree parking. The views from on top and bellow are spectacular and this is definitely meant for all ages. The twisty roads might be a little challenging for some drivers but it is definitely worth the drive if you can make it here!

Picture this: you stroll into Schryver Park, and suddenly, you're in a lush forest gym for ducks,…read morebeavers, and the occasional hover‐brunching squirrel. The park's pond is basically the Duck Hilton, with its VIP lounge area (aka the little island) You follow the winding trails past electric bike docks that seem to wink at you--"Hey, want to feel fancy today?"--and I half‑expected them to offer me a latte. Instead, I found picnic tables strategically placed for maximum people-watching potential: tweens fishing nearby, fitness enthusiasts flexing by the poolhouse, and retirees plotting world domination under a willow tree. And oh, the wildlife! Ducks quack like they own the joint, beavers drag their tails with purpose under the bridges, and squirrels perform acrobatic heists on unsuspecting sandwich crumb deliveries. By the time I left, I'd achieved zen, witnessed nature's soap opera, and wanted that gnome to fix my life. Schryver Park: where tranquility, wildlife theatrics, and accidental gym equipment meet for an absurdly pleasant afternoon.

This park is located just outside of downtown Manitou Springs, in front of the Schryver Park pool…read moreand gym. It has its own private parking lot that is free to park. It is a nice looking. There is a nice full basketball court that is semi fenced in and a little plaza area with a picnic table and a restroom facility. Next to the playground is where you will find a wooden ropes course structure with cargo climbing nets, pull up bars. The park also has an awesome lake. The lake circles a little plot of land and forms an island that you must use a bridge to get to. Fishing is allowed in the pond, but I am not sure if it is catch and release though. There is a bunch of green space with some benches and picnic tables to this park. The greenspace would be suitable for a picnic or playing catch. The trails feed into the much larger Creek Path which is a nice, paved path that runs along the creek. The park has a playground, that sits on artificial grass and consist of one piece of equipment, a jungle gym with slides, stairs, and spiral slide poles. It could beef up the playground equipment a bit if you ask me. But what little they have is neat and well maintained. It is a nice park that sits away from the city and gives you some peace. It appears to be well maintained and even though it is relatively small, it has a lot to offer. I recommend checking it out if you are in the area.

Trail Series, Part 20 In an effort to explore as many trails…read morein Colorado as possible, our next stop was "Stratton Open Space Park" located in Colorado Springs. Their multitude of trails welcome hikers, runners, mountain bikers, leased dogs, and equestrians. Although access isn't provided to the "Gold Camp Reservoir," your dog is welcome to enjoy a refreshing dip in the waters of the "Mesa Reservoir" (fishing and human swimming is prohibited). There are numerous great views of the surrounding mountains, the valley below, and the iconic Broadmoor Hotel, so be prepared to snap a few pics. Convenient parking is provided and all hiking and running abilities are able to enjoy these trails (including those with strollers/baby joggers when accessing the wide and well maintained fire access road). This trail is easily accessible from The Springs and offers something for nearly everyone. And that's...Henry's Take. #coloradotrails #hikingcoloradosprings #runningcoloradosprings

This is such a beautiful trail. Easy access, not a lot of people, wide trail space, and the most…read moreamazing views. Only downside is the construction on the 2 ponds next to each other. Both are currently gated & 1 is entirely dried up. Other than that, this is my favorite trail in Colorado Springs.

Views of mountains, the amazing design of the art, the lawn to fly a kite, the unique free flowing…read moredesign of the bridge, all of these things should capture your attention and draw you in for a relaxing visit at the park! Paid parking but it's super cheap so show up and have a good time. You can thank me later because whenever you have friends or family visit Colorado, this will be a spot you start shuttling everyone to tour! There is also a museum which does have a fee so if you have extra time and a few bucks pop in!

Really beautiful park! Situated with Mountain View's in the back! You can walk from the Olympics…read moremuseum over the bridge to it or park alongside the park! It's free to explore. There are bathrooms available as well. The big circle is a fountain in the summer!

A must-do if you're visiting Colorado Springs! We spent several hours here and ended up hiking…read moreabout 4 miles with our Labrador, exploring many of the different trails and rock formations. Every turn seemed to offer another incredible view, and it's easy to see why this is one of Colorado's most popular attractions. The trails are well-maintained and range from easy walks to slightly more adventurous routes. There isn't a ton of shade, but there are enough shaded spots along the way to take a break. Definitely bring plenty of water, especially if you're visiting in the summer or hiking with a dog. Parking wasn't terrible, but it wasn't great either. Some lots filled up quickly, so be prepared to drive to another parking area and possibly walk a little farther to get where you want to start. One of the best parts? It's completely free, and it's also very dog-friendly. We saw lots of people hiking with their dogs, and Luna had an amazing time. Just remember dogs must stay on a leash. If you're in Colorado Springs, don't skip Garden of the Gods--it absolutely lives up to the hype!

Garden of the Gods is a must-see when visiting Colorado! It's absolutely beautiful and was one of…read moremy top places to show my mom and sister when they were visiting me from California. There's something so majestic about the formation of these beautiful red rocks. The best thing about this park is that it was gifted to the city of Colorado Springs under the agreement that it remain free and available to the public, so it's a great place to visit on a budget! There are a lot of iconic rock formations and view points. I would recommend visiting the park earlier in the day so that it's cooler to walk around and so that it's not so busy. If you're also a fan of audio tours, there's a good one from TravelStorys, which you can also find on the Garden of the Gods website. They do have free shuttles available to can take you from the visitor center to key spots where you can roam around or begin a hiking trail. These hiking trails are generally not strenuous and are overall pretty family friendly. Additionally, there are also trolley tours where there's a tour guide talking you through the history of the park and stopping at iconic places where you can take some photos. The trolley tour will require purchased tickets, but we opted out of it. Plus, if you can stop by the Garden of the Gods trading post, there are a lot of cool finds and a cafe to grab some snacks! Would highly recommend!