Trail Alerts
Pancake Rocks Trail Gets a Facelift
Improvements being made to the Pancake Rocks trail segment
TOSC has partnered with RMFI and the U.S. Forest Service to implement some much needed improvements to the Pancake Rocks Trail (a part of the Ring the Trail). Many portions of the existing trail lie directly on the fall line, and severe erosion is impacting the trail, the surrounding natural resources, and user experience and safety. The rerouted sections of trail will provide a more sustainable and enjoyable route to the marvelous rock formations from which the trail gets its name. The U.S. Forest Service, with input and support from RMFI, identified and designed the short trail reroutes. The project is supported by funding via the Colorado Springs Lodgers & Automobile Rental Tax (LART).
The RMFI stewardship crew began project work on August 16th, and finished the first week of implementation on August 23rd. In the first week the RMFI Stew Crew and volunteers constructed 1,200 linear feet of new trail. Around 650 linear feet of unsustainable trail was also decommissioned. Volunteers helped with the trail work during two Community Stewardship Days on August 20 and 22. Portions of the new trail alignment are already open for users to enjoy.
North Slope User Survey
Colorado Springs Utilities wants your input. Colorado Springs Utilities and Pikes Peak America’s Mountain are examining visitor’s recreational experiences in North Slope Recreation Area to best align the community’s recreational benefits, outfitter-guided recreation opportunities, water and watershed protection, and financial sustainability on North Slope.
Please take a few minutes to complete the survey by October 7: https://forms.office.com/r/YxXNeCjdTq
An in-person open house is planned for February 7, 2023. More info is at https://www.csu.org/Pages/Recreation.aspx
Seasonal Closure on North Slope
North Slope Recreation Area closes for the winter season on Sunday, October 16. The portion of Ring the Peak through that area is closed after October 16 until May 1. Access to North Slope from the Edlowe Road trailhead and Catamount Ranch open space closes before North Slope, and is closed from October 1 until May 1. More info.
Listen to Outdoors with Hiking Bob Podcast for an update on Ring the Peak Trail!
Visit www.hikingbob.com Episode 243 An update on the Ring the Peak Trail – Mar 24, 2021.
Bob chats with Mike Rigney, Ring the Peak project manager for the Trails and Open Space Coalition about the status of the trail network around Pikes Peak, and the progress towards getting the gaps in the network closed.
Ring the Peak Trail at COSA Conference
The Ring the Peak Trail Master Plan process was the focus of a presentation by NES consultant Chris Lieber and TOSC team members Susan Davies and Mike Rigney at the Colorado Open Space Alliance (COSA) annual meeting in Steamboat Springs. The presentation was well received and a number of good suggestions were made by the audience on how to proceed with implementation.
We thank the COSA Steering Committee for allowing us to get the Ring the Peak Trail on the map open space advocates.
Final Master Plan Document
After over two years of meetings, public workshops and field work, our consultant N.E.S., Inc. delivered a final Mater Plan document which is now available on this web site here.