Summary
This railroad grade-turned-bike trail heads south to Colorado Springs through the Air Force Academy and hooks up with the Pikes Peak Greenway trail. It's great for jogging or riding when you want to put on the miles.

Location
Colorado Springs

Hike
This gravel trail is a perfect trail for beginning mountain bikers and families with young riders who are hungry for trail riding but not quite ready for single-track. Start in Palmer Lake and head south on this wide, well-planned route that follows a part of the abandoned Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe railroad line. In spring, the grasslands that surround this trail are just coming alive. The trail in this transition zone of foothills and grasslands offers a look at wildflowers and stands of cottonwoods and ponderosa pine and, between Palmer Lake and Monument, a glimpse at the castle-like Elephant Rock formation. There are few obstacles along the way: a few washes will have sand traps, and there are usually a few bumps that will test a beginning rider's balance.

To get there
There are several ways to get on this trail. We'll talk about the trailhead at the Palmer Lake Recreation Area. Take Interstate 25 north to Exit 161, then drive northwest on Colorado Highway 105 for about 5 miles and head east at County Line Road to the park entrance. Other access points: Third Street in Monument, North Gate Road (north entrance of the Air Force Academy), Baptist Road and the Ice Lake trailhead at the Air Force Academy.

Trip Log
2 boots, 15.5 miles from Palmer Lake to the Ice Lake trailhead. 1,500 feet elevation loss.

Details
The Palmer Lake to Ice Lake route is mostly downhill. Riders who enter the Air Force Academy must carry a picture ID and wear a bike helmet. Access to the academy changes; for current information, call ahead. Information: El Paso County Parks, http://adm.elpasoco.com (click on parks, then New Santa Fe Regional Trail).
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