Aww bummer! One of the bridges had a blowdown so we only crossed six; it's okay though, it's still…read moreas lovely as I recalled from a previous trip! I took a LEGO mini me, but sadly my not-so-nimble fingers had her never to be seen again. (Sorry about the leave no trace principle!) Everything about this place is amazing! My friend and I follow YouTuber Miranda Goes Outside, so as to pay homage to her, we chanted "Bridge, bridge, bridge, bridge bridge," as we made our way across going out and coming back. We even had our resident hiker friend join us on a couple. lol Seriously, it's a great space and always want to go. Being in Nature is refreshing.

My son and I hiked Seven Bridges trail on Easter morning. This is a very gentle out and back that…read moremost any ability can tackle with complete ease. The hike itself was absolutely stunning Sunday morning. The weather had shaped up nicely and while it was covered with snow, it didn't require crampons (I went in trail runners). As snow melted and fell from the pines, it felt like a magical playground. The bridges are all very close to each other, the water rushing along side most of this hike made for the most tranquil morning. I can't imagine this trail being anymore beautiful than it was this past weekend. I've seen glimpses of it in the summer from videos of trail runs and while it's gorgeous then I am so grateful to have experienced it covered in a layer of snow, icicles hanging, sun shining and simply splendid from the moment we parked the car at the trailhead. Highly recommend!

I wanted some vibes like Garden of the gods but did not want the crowds so I checked out Red Rock…read moreCanyon Open Space! I was really impressed with this open space. Parking was easy, they had plenty of spots while I was visiting. They've got something for everyone! Hiking trails, bike park/paths, rock climbing (permit needed), an off leash dog park. I specifically went for the hiking trails. They were great for my 4 year old. When I go with him I try to look for trails under 3 miles. My only complaint is I wish they had real bathrooms by the parking lot. The porta potty was pretty gross. P.s. you can see garden of the gods from this park! They are pretty close to each other!

Colorado is the healthiest state in the US (this is fact, you can look this up on the CDC website)…read moreand I can see why. With such amazing hiking available, that is free to residents and visitors, all over the state, it encourages you to get outside and enjoy what mother nature has to offer. Red Rock Canyon Open Space has a series of canyons and ridges sculpted by erosion of the area's uplifted rock strata. The ridges and canyons offer beautiful views that are photo worthy for those wanting to post to their social media (or hey, just keeping these photo keepsakes in your own camera roll is also fine too). Red Rock Canyon Open Space is dog friendly, with some off leash areas (where noted), and 11 trails that you can hike. The trails are anywhere from 1.7 miles to 5.4 miles, with a lot of pretty easy trails for those that are not as active but still want to partake in the journey. You can also see views of Garden of the Gods, which is nearby. Red Rock Canyon Open Space is not nearly as busy as Garden of the Gods (but highly recommend a visit there too, which is also dog friendly). From May 1 and Oct. 31, you can enter Red Rock Canyon Open Space between 5 a.m. and 10 p.m.; during the rest of the year, the park closes at 9 p.m. There is free parking available and also one porta potty at the beginning of the trail (but I did not use it) and also trash cans (I did not see trash cans anywhere else in this open space). My husband and I visited Red Rock Canyon Open Space with our little girl dog. We came on a Sunday afternoon, a little after 1 pm. It was an overcast day, which was nice. But it was rather busy but not crowded. We were able to find a parking spot without any trouble. We only did 2 light trails but enjoyed the views. The trails we had were pretty easy for the most part. We also did see a handful of dogs during our visit. Please note that there is hardly any shade so make sure you plan accordingly (hat to shade your face, plenty of water, etc).

Rampart is one of my go-to destinations...all-season…read more Summer/Fall I'll hike from USAFA and back w/the dog. In the winter, it's a great destination for snowshoeing and sunshiney Colorado. Farish is accesssible from Rampart. Or you can venture to Rampart via Rainbow Gulch. No matter how you choose to cruise the trail (single track via bike - clockwise or hike - counterclockwise) - you won't be disappointed in your trip :)

Beautiful walk on a well-groomed trail. A few people with off-leash dogs and the really gross…read moreportapotty at the trailhead were the only negatives. Everything else was fantastic!

I've been hiking here since I was 16, and will continue to do so until I'm unable to. There are so…read moremany trails and each of them feels so different. I will say that the fall and winter hikes are my absolute favorite. Both for the scenery and that the crowds have died down a bit.

I have hiked this area pretty frequently, it's a really nice trail that starts really wooded but…read morethen opens up to a large field as you keep going which has the most amazing views of the mountains! I think it would be the perfect open space for a picnic but it was a really clean and beautiful trail for walking my dog! There is a small parking lot at the trail head in the picture but there's a map before starting the trail that shows other parking areas and other trails as well. Very well-marked trail.

We loved our hike to st marys falls. St Marys is a moderate hike around 6.5 miles and 1394 feet of…read moreelevation gain. The main road to the falls parking lot is closed and you have to take gold camp road over. This is around 3 miles of dirt. Its narrow with some pot holes and also 2 tunnels you will need to go through. A lot of the road is very narrow and really only wide enough for just one car. So be prepared for a little bit of a hairy ride. it will be the 2nd parking lot on your right. There is a fairly large parking lot, however it fills up quickly especially on a weekend. If you want to do this you will want to arrive sooner rather than later. Dogs are allowed but are supposed to be on a leash. The parking lot for saint marys is the same as for some other trails over there, seven bridges and silver cascades being 2 of them. You will have to walk around 1 1/4 miles up a dirt road until you get to the trailhead. The trail follows a creek most of the trail. It is rocky and at times a little slick with the loose rock. It is beautiful, surrounded by forest. It was very magical and lovely. it felt so nice to be out in the woods. Mountain bikes and motorcycles are also allowed to use this trail. We did not see any motorcycles but there were a few mountain bikers. And they dont necessarily signal so well beware. There is a trash can at the trail head. Be sure to PACK out what you pack in! My friend and i were picking up garbage that people had left along the trail :( There is no reason to leave your garbage. Please take it with you.

Inadvertently found this trail while looking for a different place to hike with the pup, who is…read moreyoung and just learning how to be a good off leash hiking dog. I'm not 100% certain, but I think that you are allowed to take your dogs off leash on this trail. I certainly never saw any signs stating otherwise and out of maybe 10 dogs we saw, half were on leash and a half off. It was a beautiful hike however we were not prepared and did not have water or maybe a hiking stick for me, at least. The beginning part of the trail is a wide open fire lane, but once you get back there it's a trail with a gradual uphill climb the entire way that turns even steeper towards the end. I was definitely asking "how much longer" for the last half-hour and really regretting that I didn't have water with me as my sensitive back started to ache. On our way down as we passed other hikers, they were asking the same question about "how much longer". The gradual uphill climb the entire way can be a little much if you're not prepared for it and the journey back down to the car is much quicker since it's basically downhill the whole way. Took half the time to get down than it did to get up. The waterfall and stream were beautiful and soothing. Walking with shady tree cover much of the way and a stream next to us was a plus for the pup to get his first experience of playing in a stream. The pup definitely enjoyed himself most of all. We took this hike in early June and on our way back we got hit with a rainstorm that dropped the temperature about 20° and we were freezing and poured on by the time we got back to the car, so be prepared when coming here in the summertime!

Manitou Incline... Have a day!…read more This is an epic CO hike and *can be conquered by anyone with a little intestinal fortitude... It's virtually straight up (2200+ ft vertical) then 4 miles down, no filling stations, and no shade, but is an absolute blast of a hike. It takes about 1.5 hours up and about 2-3 hours down, depending on your individual fitness level. The best part are the summit views and if you go up another 200M and take the backside Barr Trail down, the views get even better. Make sure to bring tons of water, wear good hikers (there are lots of switchbacks on the way down), and put on sun screen because it's 90+ degrees with no shade on a normal CO summer day... Don't be "that guy" or "that girl" that shows up without any gear (there were a ton of those people out there, and it's completely mind boggling), because Vegas odds are 3/2 you'll be a casualty. My best advice is take a minimum of 3L of water (I took 4L and went through all them from top to bottom, granted I sweat like a Vegas hooker in a Catholic Church), take two "tough pills" before you start, and take it slow and steady up... #slowissmoothandsmoothisfast. Make it to the top, take some great mountain pics, enjoy the trek down, and go get a celebratory cold CO crafty at one of the cool bars in Manitou springs after words.

5/5 stars?? I know, I'd have said 0/5-do not recommend, but for this:…read more If you want a serious workout, this is for you. It's been on my bucket list for a wee bit, though I'm not sure exactly why--perhaps the grueling challenge this offers, if only to challenge myself. I had no time constraints, just get to the top and back down again. I did it! I was no record-setter by any means, and I'm okay with that. Did I "train?" No. Did I acclimatize myself (being a flatlander from Kansas), yes! I brought lots of water and electrolytes and of course SNACKS, because, hello!! It's a hike and all hikes need snacks; not to mention it's grueling and your body needs the fuel. I went up to the top the first time and down Barr Trail--that is no joke either. Switchbacks and seemingly "huge" step downs--it has its own "obstacles." The sun was shining full strength so it was toasty--doable as I had a sun hoodie on, but also a tad miserable. Second time, slightly over halfway with a friend, we walked down a hundred steps to the bailout at 1300. That was absolutely fabulous! Gorgeous scenery and that day was nice and cool and foggy! Loved it! Switchbacks too, but seemingly not as bad as what the Barr Trail has. People on this trail?? Well, they're exceptionally wonderful. Everyone--EVERYONE--was supportive, encouraging and kind. People from just about everywhere. Would I do it again? Yes. When the weather is foggy and cool. Would I want to go down the 1300 step bailout, yes. The transition of trail grades is easier than on Barr Trail IMHO, but going down the Incline is sketchy--people do it, but it's steep and the recommendation is to NOT do so. It was questionable as to whether a permit was needed. I signed up--self-proclaimed rule follower that I am--only to find no one was checking anything!! So, you do you. It might be a way to have the state of CO see how many people and from where and to sign a waiver, but otherwise no one checked. I parked at a paid lot and took a free shuttle to The Incline and back--I later found out via word of mouth that there is free parking at a park nearby where the bus stops. **As an aside, I learned the day before I was planning on going that this is no joke, people have died or have been injured on this trail--please take necessary precautions for your health and wellbeing.**

Great hike beyond the overcrowded Crags Trailhead. The falls are really more cascades but still…read morefun to visit and explore. The stream drys up in fall in dry years and freezes over in the winter. Very different experience at different times of the year. Reaching the base of the falls is an easy hike. If you want more of a challenge try reaching the top.

Took Barr Trail to the top of Manitou Incline and down. It was amazing hike, 3 miles up over 2,600…read moreelevation climb. Excellent views, plenty of shade, and a good challenge. We started at 7am (not early enough to avoid the hot summer sun). We packed water, electrolytes and trail mix, would suggest also some energy chews. Next time we'll take the incline challenge after some training. Bathroom at base/trailhead. Note there are different starts for the Incline and Barr Trail. Bring cash for parking.

Note 1: Be careful you don't end up on this trail instead of the Manitou Incline. They start in…read moredifferent locations and I hiked a half-mile before realizing I was in the wrong place and had missed my permitted Incline window. Note 2: A little bottle of water is a mistake. Be smart, especially on a warm day. I met too many people making this mistake and had to share some of mine. Heck, you're at altitude and ascending quickly! Note 3: I didn't seal my hiking pants with my Dirty Girl gaiters until after I'd been stung many times by a single wasp who managed to work her way into a pant leg. Apparently, wasps are common in the area. This is a terrific training hike if you're a non-local seeking ascents at altitude. 13.1 miles with 3,500'+ of climbing up to an altitude of 10,000'+. It's tough only for the untrained. Nothing compared to the Incline in terms of effort, but still worth the trip if you have time. Also, there are snacks in camp. And... you can snatch a free snack if you're willing to haul a super-light trash bag down to the trailhead. Heck, carry two--they weigh less than the weight of the water you drank on the way up.