 The difficulty rating system: scale of one to four boots. One is easiest with little elevation gain, and it is at a reasonable altitude. Four is most difficult, with severe elevation gain, difficult terrain or extreme length or altitude.
Eagle Peak from the Air Force Academy
Area: North Colorado Springs Miles: 3 Elevation gain: 1,900 Dogs: yes
Summary
This near-vertical trail from the edge of the Air Force Academy was clearly made by young, hard-body cadets. It climbs relentlessly. There are few spots for a rest. But the 360-degree view at the top, with the spires of the Cadet Chapel on one side and the oft-snowy profile of Pikes Peak on the other, makes this serious quad-burner worth the pain.
Location
Near Air Force Academy
Hike
From the visitors center, walk west across Academy Drive to a dirt road leading up toward the triangular granite top of Eagle Peak. Walk up the road for about a quarter of a mile, veering right at a power transformer, then left at the next fork. A sign a few meters up the second fork marks the start of the trail. At first it's mellow enough, rolling through dense, lush pines. Soon it enters a shady dihedral in the rampart that gave Rampart Range its name and starts climbing. The trail scrambles up a flume of boulders, following a plunging brook, which evokes the Robert Southey poem "Cataract of Lodore:" Rising and leaping, Sinking and creeping, Swelling and sweeping, Showering and springing Eventually the boulder stairway relents in a small, aspen-lined meadow. Hang a left on a clear trail, climb again up a dry, piney slope to the rocky summit, where, if the vista inspires, you can pen your own lines of poetry.
To get there
Take I-25 exit 156B. Go west to the academy gate. Expect to be asked for I.D. Through the gate, go straight on Academy Drive. It eventually winds south into the main campus. Just after the Cadet Chapel, follow signs to the visitor center parking lot on the left. Park here.
Trip Log
3 boots. 3 miles round trip. 1,900 feet elevation gain.
Details
Details: Too steep for bikes and horses. Air Force Academy hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. 
View Trail Map
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