Hiking – Monument Headwaters from Mount Herman Road

Let's see the aspens and other fall color in the Rampart Range! Even if the timing on the leaves doesn't work out, we'll still have lots of rocks! Rocks to look at, rocks to look out from the top of, rocks to look at while standing on top of other rocks, even the OG balanced rock! This trip is mostly on rough, user-created trails; 1 downhill mile is off-trail. There are three stream crossings that will probably be benign in fall but you might prefer boots off. We will move slowly enough to take lots of pictures, so don't sign up if that will make you impatient -- this trip will take all day while we soak up the nature. Getting out to one optional rock might be Class 3 & has a bit of exposure; otherwise just the usual hazards of pea gravel where dirtbikes are chewing up the slopes & big steps on uneven ground when off trail. Don't overlook the elevation gain: Rampart Range hikes often kick people's asses more than they expect. In this case, there are three major climbs out of the upper valleys of North Monument Creek and Monument Creek. No dogs or other nonhuman animal companions.

Notes: Priority to members of the Pikes Peak and Pueblo groups; other group members will be waitlisted until October

Rendezvous/carpool at the windsock parking lot on Red Rocks Drive, just north of Mt Herman Road, at 0730. From there, drive up Mt Herman Road 8.25 miles. From Woodland Park, take Rampart Range Road to Mt Herman Road; turn right and drive 2 miles. Trailhead timing most likely about 0815. Looping from the intersection of FR320 (Mt Herman Road) and FR315 -- the closure gate to old FR322A