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Palmer Lake
Reservoir Trail
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Nearest city:
Palmer Lake
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Difficulty:
Medium
Miles roundtrip
:
3
Elevation gain:
800 ft.
Trail Directions:
Print Mapquest Directions
Trail Description:
To get the the Trailhead from Highway 25, for a more scenic route take the County Line Road exit 163 West. Or come the opposite direction through Monument on Highway 105. After Crossing the Railroad Tracks on County Line Rd. make a left on Highway 105. Take this through town and after passing the town gas station make a right on South Valley Road. Take this west till you almost reach the end of it, then make a left on South Valley Crescent. This is a gravel, snow evacuation road. There is also a sign that says Palmer Lake Reservoir. You will go down the hill and the road will curve to the left into a gravel parking lot.
The trail begins in the valley and you start your hike through a sparse pine forest. It follows Monument Creek up a very steep incline. This part of the trail also serves as somewhat of a service gravel road to the Palmer Lake Reservoirs. This is where the towns water comes from so for that reason you can't swim in the lakes. This is a pet friendly trail but the rules are clearly posted about keeping dogs on a leash for the same reason you can't swim in the reservoirs. If everyone did the water wouldn't make for very good drinking water. The lakes are very scenic and can also be fished for Rainbow Trout. The incline to the 1st and smaller reservoir is very steep and considering that you begin your hike above 7000 ft in elevation doesn't make it all that easy. It is worth it once you get there. At the end of the 1st Reservoir there is another trail which branches off to the right throught the rockslide area. This leads to ice caves and eventually a nice meadow you can camp at. There are also many interesting, large rock formations and ice caves further in. The second half to the Main Reservoir, almost twice the size of Palmer Lake is not as steep. You can also bike it if you want a real challenge. Once you reach the 2nd Reservoir you can hike all the way around it. On the west, shallow side away from the dam if you continue on there is a site you can camp because you are now in Pikes National Forest. There is an offroad trail that leads out to Rampart Range Rd. If you attempt it make sure you have 4WD and a tow cable. Click the offroad icon for an interactive map and directions.
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