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Trip

Hiking – Upper Hard Time, Great Escape, Watch Tower

Hike the upper South Canon trails in Temple Canyon outside of Canon City. Start at Upper Hard Time then work up to Great Escape and Watch Tower with finishing via CR 3 to the trailhead. Well defined rolling terrain trails with stereotypic Southern Colorado vegetation including Juniper trees, wildflowers, varying types of cacti likely with some in bloom and interesting rock formations. A good hike when rain and snow are forecasted further north. Hike stats: 8 miles, 900 ft gain, 2 mph pace, with a hike duration of a little over 4 hours.

Contacts

Placeholder Contact Profile
Jacqueline Hooper
Primary Leader
  • Sat, May 23, 2026
  • El Pueblo
  • Hiking
  • Adults
  • Moderate
  • Mileage: 8.0 mi
  • Elevation Gain: 900 ft
  • High Point Elevation: 6,397 ft
  • Pace: 2.0 mph

We will hike to the end of the Watch Tower Tail and stop to eat lunch at the intersection of Watch Tower Trail and CR3 before returning to the Upper Hard Time Trailhead. Bring a camp chair if desired for an after hike tailgate libation at the trail head. 

If I have not had the pleasure of hiking with you before, please email me before 6pm on Thursday May 21, 2026 to share with me what type of hikes you have done within the last two months of similar distance/gain/pace and any medical condition I should be aware of (e.g. diabetes, asthma, heart condition, troublesome orthopedic condition).

I will email registered hikers on the afternoon or early evening on Friday, May 22nd to provide a weather report and any hike updates. 

Pueblo participants will meet at the Southeast corner of Albertson's Parking lot at 1601 Hwy 50, Pueblo, 81008 for a 8am departure and Colorado Springs and all other hikers will meet at 8:30 am at the Love's Travel Stop at 690 Doc Holiday Drive, Canon City, 81212 to carpool or car caravan to the Upper Hard Time Trailhead. The hike starts at the trailhead.

Route/Place

Upper Hard Time, Great Escape, Watch Tower


  • https://www.blm.gov/sites/default/files/docs/2022-08/BLM_CO_RGFO_SouthCanon_Map_20220310.pdf
  • See full route/place details.
Roster
Required Equipment

Required Equipment

Wear layers to adjust to a starting temp in the low 60's and hotter temps in afternoon in the mid-70's and hiking boots with good ankle support/traction. Bring a light outer jacket to protect from a chance of an afternoon rain shower, a hat/sunscreen for sun protection, trekking poles to use as needed, 2 liters of water or what you need to stay hydrated in summer-like temps, snacks to eat on the trial, a lunch, and the other 10 essentials. 

Trip Reports