17 June 2008
Gray Back Trail
Posted by kris under: Trails .
Name of Trial: Gray Back Trail
Total Distance: 3.2 miles
Elevation Gain: 670 ft
Difficulty: Moderate
Hike Type: Out and back
Starting Location: Off of Old Stage Road.
We took Old Stage Road for about 6.5 miles. We turned left on FR 371 and continued about a half a mile at the top of the pass. The trail itself is not marked but it is well defined because it has been used by a dude ranch so many horses have been on it (it is at N 38° 43.888’ W 104° 54.403’).
The over all trail is not very steep but it has a lot of loose gravel from all of the horses that have been on it. The trail goes up and along the ridge of Gray Back Peak and is called Happy Trail by some. As we climbed up to the ridge there are many spots to see some great views of the mountains. We came across a fork about a mile in and we took the right path to continue up and along the ridge. We zigzagged up to the summit of the peek which gave us a great view of the southern valley as well as some of the southern mountains.
At this point you can go either go back along the ridge to get to a rock outcropping with a good view or you can go back the way you came. We headed back the same way we came and it was a little slick because of all of the loose gravel.
Overall the trail was ok but considering it is a long drive from the center of Colorado Springs, and some of it on rough dirt roads, I am not sure it is worth the drive.
To see photos that I took while on my hike go to my Photo Gallery.
One Comment so far...
Gray Back Trail Says:
17 June 2008 at 11:50 pm.
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