At a glance:
Distance: 3.8 miles or shorter if feeling lazy
Difficulty: Easy Ascent: 386 ft Map Link: Paint Mines Website: Paint Mines Google Maps Link: Paint Mines Dogs: No dogs Bikes: Not at all |
Paint Mines
What a wonderful place to explore and just get lost in on a Sunday afternoon. Aside from being an easy little stroll in the park, the colors here are very unique and there are lots of little passageways to explore. Just be careful not to climb on the formations (and there are plenty of signs to remind you about this everywhere). There are lots of giant turbines to the East which are fun to watch slowly spinning in the breeze.
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Paint Mines
getting there:
Address: 29950 Paint Mine Rd, Calhan, CO 80908
1) From Colorado Springs, head East on 24 (or on Woodman) toward Falcon.
2) From Falcon, continue East on 24 until you get to the thriving metropolis of Calhan.
3) Head on through Calhan, and take a right on Yoder St.
4) You will see the El Paso County Fair and Events Complex on your left and then take a right on Paint Mine Rd. Follow that until you see the parking lot on your left.
1) From Colorado Springs, head East on 24 (or on Woodman) toward Falcon.
2) From Falcon, continue East on 24 until you get to the thriving metropolis of Calhan.
3) Head on through Calhan, and take a right on Yoder St.
4) You will see the El Paso County Fair and Events Complex on your left and then take a right on Paint Mine Rd. Follow that until you see the parking lot on your left.
The Hike:
This is an easy hike with lots of little nooks and crannies to investigate. You can make this as long or as short as you want to make it, but there are basically two big loops that circle through the area. Once you get into the main formation area, just spend time exploring all the little passageways and side trails.
The longer outside look is worth doing at least once, if you have the time. We rarely make it all the way around because we spend all our time exploring the passageways.
The longer outside look is worth doing at least once, if you have the time. We rarely make it all the way around because we spend all our time exploring the passageways.