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At a glance:
Distance: 4.6 miles (round trip) or shorter if feeling lazy
Difficulty: Easy Ascent: 601 ft Map Link: Spruce Mountain Open Space Google Maps Link: Spruce Mountain Open Space Dogs: Yes Bikes: Yes |
Spruce Mountain Loop
Another great afternoon hike that is easy, has great views, and lots of rocks to play on. We have hiked this trail in the winter, spring, and summer and always have a great time. Snowshoeing here is great when there's freshly fallen snow. We typically just hike to the first overlook, then amble around for a bit. I think we've only made the full loop once, but it's worth going the distance for the view from Windy Point.
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Spruce Mountain loop
getting there:
Address: 13415 Spruce Mountain Road, Larkspur, CO 80118
1) From Colorado Springs, head North on I-25 and take exit 163 on to S. County Line Road and head west.
2) The road gets a little wonky as you cross the railroad tracks, take a right on Spruce Mountain Road heading north.
3) Turn left into the parking area at Spruce Mountain Open Space.
1) From Colorado Springs, head North on I-25 and take exit 163 on to S. County Line Road and head west.
2) The road gets a little wonky as you cross the railroad tracks, take a right on Spruce Mountain Road heading north.
3) Turn left into the parking area at Spruce Mountain Open Space.
The Hike:
This is an easy hike that has great views and fun rocks to play on, although there are also lots of cliffs, so watch the little ones.
From the parking lot, head onto the Spruce Meadows trail and then take a quick left and head up the spruce mountain trail toward Greenland overlook. The trail will quickly disappear into some scrub oak and then switch back its way through a forest of ponderosa pine and Douglas fir trees.
It's about 0.8 miles to the plateau and first overlook (Greenland overlook). From there, you can head along the ridge line to Paddock's point overlook which is another 0.2 miles down the trail.
From here, you can head west and choose either a clockwise or counterclockwise loop trail to take you to Windy Point overlook. Either way you go, it's about a mile and a quarter of flat hiking to get there. The view from here is spectacular. You can see the Front Range and Pikes Peak in the distance. Beats sitting in traffic on the Beltway!
From the parking lot, head onto the Spruce Meadows trail and then take a quick left and head up the spruce mountain trail toward Greenland overlook. The trail will quickly disappear into some scrub oak and then switch back its way through a forest of ponderosa pine and Douglas fir trees.
It's about 0.8 miles to the plateau and first overlook (Greenland overlook). From there, you can head along the ridge line to Paddock's point overlook which is another 0.2 miles down the trail.
From here, you can head west and choose either a clockwise or counterclockwise loop trail to take you to Windy Point overlook. Either way you go, it's about a mile and a quarter of flat hiking to get there. The view from here is spectacular. You can see the Front Range and Pikes Peak in the distance. Beats sitting in traffic on the Beltway!
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