Catamount Trail @ Green Mtn Falls

Two great hikes in a weekend def make it go by fast! Today we did my local fave - Catamount Trail at Green Mountain Falls. I've done this trail probably a dozen times and still love it. Located just 20 min west of csprings, this hike has got it all - it's super fun and challenging with incredible and diverse scenery. A real fun and physical climb to start, a walk through a heavily forested area that opens up into an awesome meadow, and then a little more up (and a lame walk on a gravel road) and you have a sweet view of Pikes Peak with Catamount Reservoir in the foreground. The entire route follows a stream...and who doesn't love water on a hike?? There are waterfalls and little pools all along the way, and crossing the stream is always a fun time (esp if you're with JB). And there are a ton of rocks to climb on...which is a plus if you're a monkey like me, dragon, and seagal.

One of the coolest things about this hike is how different it is each season. In the spring and summer time, it's totally beautiful with all the trees and wildflowers in bloom. Same deal in the fall with the aspens turning and leaves changing colors. In the winter time, ice on the ground makes this a way more physical and fun challenge.

I usually give myself about 4 hrs for this hike. It's hard to say how long it really takes because I don't mind taking time to screw around or taking frequent breaks because it's so pretty. I'd say it's like a 5-6 miles...prob closer to 5.

Seagal walking the tightrope over some water! Dragon successfully did it too. I was the only loser who bailed because I was going too fast and the tree was wobbling way too much.

Dragon squeezed between the rocks. Seagal went over it. JB and I skipped it and went around.

Dragon taking the easy way to cross the stream.

Trail info: To get here, take 24 W and make a left when you see the sign for Green Mountain Falls. Follow the road through town, past all the stores and you'll see a dirt parking area on your right. You have to park here bc there is no parking at the trailhead. Walk 2/3 mi up Hondo Ave to the trailhead. When the trail splits early on, take the yellow dots to the left. After crossing the stream the first time and climb up a bit, the trail will split again...yellow to the left and orange will go up. The orange is the Catamount Trail and will go up for a while. Just keep looking for the orange dots - they are definitely there - but if you lose the trail, just follow the stream up and you'll meet up with the trail eventually. On the way back, the orange trail is pretty tough, so you can pick up the blue trail at the Garden of Eden. It's a lot of long switchbacks (and way less interesting), and it'll meet up with the yellow trail close to the bottom. fyi, the yellow trail jsut takes you on an easy hike to the other side of town.