Date: 4/29/2018
Who: Sammy and myself
Length: about 12 miles loop
Time: 8 hours
Weather: 50-70 degrees, sunny
The weather was great, so we took a longer route than originally planned this day. We started in Green Mountain Falls (GMF), and took the Catamount Trail up to South Catamount Reservoir in the North Slope Recreation Area of Pikes Peak. We started exploring a trail along the reservoir, and then decided to take Limber Pine Trail and make a loop around North Catamount Reservoir.
The weather was warm and calm, ideal conditions for hiking. I really enjoyed the long day. I had expected a loop around the North Catamount reservoir to include excellent views of the water with Pikes Peak in the background. But, in actuality, the trail is so far from the shore that the water is not in view most of the time.
South Catamount with Pikes Peak in background
The route which I took from North Catamount back to town is not recommended. There is a trail marked on my Pikes Peak Atlas. However, in this case I think the map is outdated. The trail was non-existent in sections, requiring bushwhacking and orienteering by topology. In other sections, the trail appears to be intentionally blocked by felled trees.
This hike followed the BLUE line:
View Colorado Chris Hikes in a larger map
Lake views…you was robbed! Seriously, one of the best things in life I’ve ever experienced (top 5 at least), are the views of a lake at the foot of a mountain, so I get the annoying disappointment of trees blocking the “viewage”. Train hard, carry that extra weight, big bro, and most importantly, Keep Wandering.