The Sand Dunes (Mosca, CO)

Great Sand Dunes National Park

     There are few natural sites as seemingly miraculous- and incongruous- as Colorado's Great Sand Dunes, nestled in the Sangre de Cristo Range. If you're a local, and have never visited the Sand Dunes, do it. Immediately.
     There is no "best time" to visit the Sand Dunes. Whatever the season, the hike has something unique to offer, from climbing the stiff, sandy ridges in a sweater in the dead of winter, to inner-tubing down the soft slopes in June. Visiting the Sand Dunes is less fun when it's rainy, and the heat of the sand can be unbearable in open shoes in the summer. Stay off the dunes during thunder and lightning storms, but otherwise, just make sure you have the right gear for the weather before heading up. The dunes can get windy, too, so I suggest my myopic brethren forget about trying to wear contacts at the dunes, or else invest in a good pair of goggles.
     Aside from the jaw-dropping scenery, the nice thing about the Sand Dunes is that it's good for people of any skill level. It's even good for people with joint problems, because the sand provides good shock absorbency. You can pace yourself by selecting a point in the dunes as your goal, then adjust your path according to how much you want to exert yourself. If you're planning to hike from end to end, pack a bedroll, enough food and water for three days, and let a ranger know your plan.
     During the spring and summer, camping at the Sand Dunes National Park can be a cheap and convenient lodging option. Campsite facilities are well-maintained, and you can dispose of trash and recycling before leaving the park grounds. However, camping at the Sand Dunes is popular, and sites fill up fast. Though 88 sites might seem like a lot, the demand for them is high, so call the park or visit the website to see if you can reserve a spot in advance. If you have a high-clearance vehicle, you can try and camp in the National Forest extension area by accessing a primitive road. The road is only open a few months of the year though, and unless your car has the proper clearance, you'll risk flooding your transmission driving over one of several creeks.

Medano Creek at The Great Sand Dunes National Park in early spring.

     It's rare, but occasionally, depending on the time of year, Medano Creek will flow along the Sand Dunes trails. This is usually in the early spring, and is considered one of the best times to make an overnight visit. Wear amphibious shoes if you have them, or whatever sandals or shoes you're comfortable hiking in.
     Just remember that sand can get hot. Though tearing off your sandals and sinking your feet deep into the sand might feel wonderful in early June or late September, exposing your feet to the blistering sand at high noon in August is painful. Choose your shoes accordingly, but know that as long it's not too hot, walking barefoot through the sand dunes is always a comfortable option.


Hike Location: Mosca, CO
                          Great Sand Dunes National Park
                          11500 State Highway 150
                          Mosca, Colorado- 81146

Approximate Length: n/a

Difficulty: Mild to moderate                         
 

    
   

The Punch Bowls (Colorado Springs, CO)

Hansel looking into the first of three "punch bowls."

     Not a lot of people know about the Glen Eyrie punch bowls, even though Glen Eyrie Castle, and the land it sits on, used to be the home of one of the state's most prominent pioneers.
Colorado Springs founder, Gen. William Palmer, built Glen Eyrie Castle in the mid-1800s as a lavish home for his family. Most people who have visited Garden of the Gods, a neighboring attraction, are familiar with the area's unique, crimson rock formations, but few are aware of how close they are to a sometimes-gushing waterfall and extraordinary natural reservoirs.
     Since Palmer's death in the early 1900s, Glen Eyrie has changed hands several times, but much of the castle's original design and construction remain today.
In the 1950s, the property again become available for purchase, and this time, was bought by The Navigators. The Christian organization, which is associated with the late Rev. Billy Graham, still owns the castle and hosts religious retreats, conferences and tours on its grounds.
     Hikers can, with reservations made well in advance, hike inside the canyon, to a photogenic waterfall and lounging area, or up to the "punch bowls"- the property's natural, raised water wells.
Maybe because the organization recently started to drastically restrict foot traffic in the trail, the population of brook trout along the hike has exploded. In late fall, even though the water was low, it was teeming with tiny, quick-finned fish. Bring your camera on the punch bowls hike because there is a lot to see.

     The majority of your hike will be along, through, and sometimes over, water. If you have amphibious shoes, great! If not, just wear comfortable walking shoes with good treads that you don't mind getting wet. The best time to visit the punch bowls is when it's hot, because there is a lot of water to to keep you cool, and the hike has a pleasing amount of cover. Visiting the punch bowls in the fall, or even winter, is also great fun, but be aware that if you accidentally fall into the water in November, you might be significantly more miserable during the 2 mile hike back to your car than you would be in May.
     This hike is a great place to spend the whole day. The walk itself isn't rigorous, and the grounds and trail are well-maintained. Besides the natural seating at the waterfall, you can sit down and relax throughout your hike while staying close to the trail. If you're lucky enough to get a reservation on a hot day, pack a picnic, stake out a spot on the flat rocks around the punch bowls, and spend the afternoon swimming in any of the three 15-foot and deeper reservoirs.


Hike Location: Colorado Springs, CO
                          Glen Eyrie Castle
                          3820 N. 30th St.
                          Colorado Springs, CO- 80904

Approximate Length: 3.5 miles, roundtrip

Difficulty: Mild to moderate                         

Good to Know: Since The Navigators are a private organization, they don't have to let you hike on their property. Be nice, or risk being turned away. Also, if you visited Glen Eyrie more than two years ago, you might not know that now, you have to make reservations well in advance. We made our reservations in July, and got in September 13. You'll have to fill out a page of personal information, including emergency contact info, and show valid, government-issued ID. Like all forays into the mountains, there is some risk associated with this hike, so be aware that you'll be signing a safety waiver once you enter the grounds. Glen Eyrie also reserves the right to use your image for promotional materials.

The Incline (Manitou Springs, CO)

The view above Manitou Springs

             Today, I was lucky to spend the last sunny day of the  warm season watching the leaves change in Manitou Springs. Though I’d wanted to try some of the trails along the Cog railroad, we were surprised to see that the Barr Trail parking lot (uncharacteristically) had available spaces. From that vantage point, it’s hard to see what you’re getting into, and as neither my companion nor I had hiked the Incline this year, we decided to give it a shot, though we both pretty much agreed not to summit it.

            There aren’t a lot of times of the year I would hike the Incline, but today was absolutely perfect. High of 77, sunny, breezy, and cool in the shade; these are superb Incline conditions. Since the first frost is supposed to arrive next week, today might be among the last few nice days to try this rigorous hike.

            If you’ve never hiked the Incline before, you might want to do a little research first. People with problematic knees or other mobility issues should work their way up to a hike like the Incline, but otherwise, if you’re a healthy person in pretty good shape, this hike is a fun and challenging way to test your limits.

The Cog Railroad in Manitou Springs was completed in the late 19^th century, as a means to take passengers up Pikes Peak. It’s still used today, for much the same reason- so visitors and natives alike can enjoy the glorious vista the summit affords, without having to hike it. What’s known today as the Incline was constructed alongside the Cog Railroad, and was primarily used as a service stairway for railroad builders. Today, the Incline is all but abandoned except for Colorado’s tenacious hikers.

            The hike starts over the ridge from the Barr Trail parking lot, and pretty much goes straight up as far as the eye can see. The ledge you see from the trailhead is misleading, though- once you reach that point, you’ll still have a way to go, but thankfully, the incline levels off there.

A nice shot of the Incline's "false top", and beyond

            When hiking the Incline during peak seasons, like the early spring and late fall, you’ll see a lot of hikers powering up the steps, often making it to the top in less than an hour. Hikers in Manitou and Colorado Springs are typically in excellent shape, and lots of Fort Carson troops use the Incline as a fair-weather training tool. If you’re not up to that level of workout, don’t feel bad. There are plenty of spots to pull off and catch your breath, and whatever you might think, other hikers probably aren’t judging you.

            The terrain itself can be a unique challenge, even to seasoned hikers. That the Incline was once used as a service stairway means the hike is comprised of antique, wooden “steps”. These steps are uneven, with scary, ankle-twisting holes throughout the climb. It’s important to keep your eyes open and on where you walk. Going down the Incline isn’t advisable; once you reach the summit, or a point about 2/3 of the way up, you can get on Barr Trail and take an easy, scenic decline back to the lot.

The nice thing about hiking the Incline is the sense of accomplishment you get when you’re done, and you might even feel a rush of exhilaration on the way up. But almost every other part of hiking the Incline is quite literally a pain, and the best thing you can do for yourself and your friends is to be prepared.

Once the difficult part of the climb is over, the trail levels off. To descend, follow the well-worn path to Barr Trail.

            It’s not necessary to mention that water is an essential component to any hike in an arid state like Colorado. In addition to your water- I’d recommend at least a liter for a hike like this- pack a sandwich if you’re not the type to power through all the way to the top of your climb. I’ve taken a book and relaxed in the shade more than a few times, but this hiking style isn’t for everyone. If you don’t think the Incline is a rigorous enough hike to warrant a lunch break, then pack an apple or a banana. The sugar will give you a surge of energy, and help you keep hydrated.