Lake Moraine

Date: 9/8/2013
Who: Sammy and myself
Length: about 16 miles
Time: about 8 hours
Weather: warm, cloudy

My goal for this hike was Lake Moraine, a high reservoir several miles west of N. Cheyenne Canyon park on the eastern slope of Pikes Peak. I had read about the lake in a book “Shattered Dreams on Pikes Peak” by Ivan Brunk. In the late 1800’s and early 1900’s, the Bear Creek Toll Road (now trail 667) was the primary route to the summit of Pikes Peak. The Bear Creek route passed by Lake Moriane, and a lake house was located there. I wanted to investigate the historical Pikes Peak route, and see what evidence I could find of the hotel.

This photo of the Seven Lakes Hotel is from the Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum site.
Seven Lakes Hotel

Unfortunately, I discovered that Lake Moraine is on Colorado Springs Utilities land and is off-limits to recreational use. The map below shows a red line where I had planned to hike.

Chris and Sammy near trail 667:
Chris and Sammy near trail 667

On our return trip, we took a slightly different route which included the Forester Trail (trail 701) and trail 720 down to Jones Park. Sammy also injured her paw pads on this long hike and needed some first aid!

As of Sept. 30 2013, the U.S. Forest Service has closed all of these trails for an extended period due to flood damage, and possibly to buy time to evaluate plans to close them permanently?

This hike started at the four-way parking lot in Cheyenne Canyon, up Seven Bridges to Jones Park, up trail 667 to the sign. The red portion of the marked trail was my goal, but was off-limits. The return included trail 701 (Forester Trail) and trail 720 back to Jones Park.

View Colorado Chris Hikes in a larger map

9 thoughts on “Lake Moraine

  1. So, how did you administer 1st Aid to the pooch, and would it have been covered by the new healthcare system? Also, perhaps I need to get a job with the Colorado utilities so we can gain access to all their land!?! Glad you got to hike some of these trails before the closure. Wander the watersheds…wots and wots of them.

  2. Chris (and Sammy), did you ever make it to Lake Moraine now that it is open? I also read that same little book back in 1991-92 and was curious about the Lake House. I went to the same spot you did back in the day (94-95) and I found a large hole in that fence, so of course I went through it. They had some heavy equipment moving back there trying to build up the reservoirs at the time. Now that it’s open, I’ll probably grab a permit and head over there.

    • So did it close again? My curiosity is also absolutely itching to be sated becasuse I just finished reading the most wonderful book about the history of Co Spgs, entitled Newport in the Rockies, and Lake Moraine, as well as the lake house which was formerly there, is featured in it. Starting from Manitou Trl 666, how long of a hike is it to Lake Moraine? And how much trouble do you think someone could get into for adventuring?
      Curious Coloradoan

      • Hi Curious,
        Sorry but I’m not familiar with that Manitou Trl 666. And, I don’t know what the penalty is for trespassing. Last I heard, CS Utilities is the owner. Maybe best to contact them for permission?
        –Chris

        • Just hiked up to Lake Moraine 4/15/18. It’s 14 miles using 667 from 7 Bridges, theres a gate about 1/4 mile from the lake that must be steeped over or crawled around.
          Was beautiful.
          Have picks & video available on FB, Highker & The Dooby
          Going back again soon.

          • Have you been back since? Heard it was open and the west bank of the lake seems to sit on National Forest land?

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