Pikes Peak Region Trail Finder

Photo by member Rosie Good

Spring is in full swing, and we’re ready to start exploring great trails at OutThereColorado.com.

At 9:30 a.m. Thursday, we will embark on our first hike of 2011. For those who didn’t attend an outing last year, these hikes are done at a steady pace — a notch or two above a leisure stroll.

Each hike lasts at least an hour with an ideal range of 90-120 minutes. However, we had several trips of more than three hours. The trails ranged from easy — Sondermann Park and Painted Mines — to more difficult such as Stanley Canyon.

Thursday’s hike is moderate — with 600 feet of elevation gain in less than four miles — and the location (Garden of the Gods) is second to none. Details ...

Meet near the west side of the North Gateway Rock parking lot for a 9:30 a.m. departure.

T-shirts!: The first five hikers to arrive will receive an OutThereColorado.com T-shirt.

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE

April 28: A fairly laid-back — yet quite scenic — hike on the Seven Bridges Trail in North Cheyenne Canon Park. Details ...

May 5: The difficulty level will increase as we climb Blodgett Peak just south of the Air Force Academy. Details ...