Fishing on the Net

By Bonnie Nelson

Hiking around Colorado Springs

With the increase in gas costs, many may be looking at staying in the Springs area for the summer. Our area does not lack of things to do. One of the more enjoyable attractions are our hiking trails. Within our city you can access a trailhead within miles of your own home.

The Colorado Front Range Trail is an ongoing vision to connect a multi-purpose trail from Wyoming to New Mexico, along the Front Range of Colorado. The 876-mile trail will link diverse communities, scenic landscapes, cultural and historic points, parks, open space and other attractions.

When complete, the trail will connect 15 cities, 14 counties and many smaller towns and communities along its length. To date, over 270 miles of the CFRT have been finished ñ one-third of the corridor. When determining what hiking trail to use make sure that you check the difficulty of the trail.

Following is a rating scale that you should use when hiking. The rating system is based on of one to four boots. One is easiest, with little elevation gain, and it is at a reasonable altitude. Four is most difficult, with severe elevation gain, difficult terrain or extreme length or altitude.

So where do you start. It depends on where you are. If you havenít spent any time at the Fountain Creek Regional Park Area you are missing one of the nicest trails in the area. Close to the Park you have the Nature Center with its marshlands and wildlife, or you can travel along Fountain Creek either north or south. The trails are gravel and easy to walk.

Want something closer to the mountains but not too hardótry Bear Creek. It links the Pikes Peak Greenway to Bear Creek Regional County Park. The trail begins south of Wal-Mart on 8th St., and the surface is concrete and asphalt. St. Maryís Falls is a foot and horse trail. The trailhead is by Gold Camp Road. This trail follows Buffalo Canyon Creek through mature aspen stands and mixed pine and spruce forests to St. Mary's Falls. The falls cascade down a granite wall 250-300 feet. Of course there are tons of trails to choose from Check out the http://outdoors.coloradosprings.com/trails.php website. You can find directions, difficulty, and descriptions of our trails in Colorado Springs.

Bonnie Nelson is a freelance writer living in Fountain, CO. If you have any comments or questions, email her at waltbon@comcast.net

CONTACT THE WRITER • WALTBON@COMCAST.nET

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