Hiking – Roxborough State Park Loop - Carpenter Peak, Powerline, and Elk Valley Trails

This hike may become a snowshoe due to heavy snow conditions. You'll need to bring snowshoes if heavy snow occurs.

******NO HARES PLEASE******

Let's meet at the parking lot closest to the Visitor's Center (furthest west) in Roxborough State Park at 9:30 am.  Please remember the state park fees are $10 per vehicle.   We'll hike from the Visitor's Center on the Willow Creek Trail and ascend up  Carpenter Peak via the Carpenter Peak Trail. Beautiful views of the rock formations will abound.  After lunch/snack break we'll then descend to the Powerline Trail and follow it south through the valley on the western boundary of the park.  We'll then turn east and north following the Elk Valley Trail back to the Carpenter Peak Trail.  We'll then return to the Visitor's Center via the Carpenter Peak and Willow Creek Trails.  This loop is approximately 8 miles long.

Please bring your ten essentials including ample food (lunch) and water (at least 2 liters) along with warm layers.  You'll need to bring ice walkers/microspikes and quite possibly snowshoes.  Gaiters would also be a good idea

Please note:  If  heavy snow conditions occur, we may shorten the hike/snowshoe to a 6 mile out and back hike of Carpenter Peak.  Snowshoes will then be required with heavy snow conditions.

Please contact Debbie Sheinman at 719-510-6699 or at sheindk@yahoo.com if you wish to carpool from Colorado Springs.

Driving Directions from Colorado Springs: Take I-25 north to Castle Rock.  Take exit 185, turning left (east) at the top of the exit ramp to Castle Pines Pkwy. Turn right (north) onto Hwy. 85.  Head north on Hwy. 85  past Sedalia to the exit for W. Titan Road.  Turn left at the top of the exit ramp.  Follow Titan Road west until it becomes Rampart Range Road (where you will turn left or south).  Continue south on Rampart Range Road until you see the West Metro Fire Station 15 and turn left onto Rampart Park Road.  Then take an immediate right onto Roxborough Drive.  Follow this road south and west until you see the parking lots on the right hand side.