Welcome to Travel Tuesday! We’re still in Colorado Springs today and headed off to the Contemplative Trail to Sand Canyon Trail Loop in the Red Rock Canyon Open Space!
Contemplative Trail to Sand Canyon Trail Loop
Distance: ~1.8 mile loop
Elevation: 183 feet
Difficulty: Easy
Admission: Free
Parking: Free
Trailhead Address: 38.8733700, -104.7770000
The trail starts on the northwestern side of the park and is an easy hike with not much elevation gain to be had, which I definitely appreciated after having just climbed the Manitou Incline.
The Contemplative Trail was established by the “Garden of the Goddesses,” which is a club that helps to build/maintain the trails. Biking and horseback riding is allowed elsewhere in Red Rock Canyon but strictly off-limits in the Contemplative Trail.
The dirt path is pretty easy to follow and there are pine benches every here and there so you can sit down and contemplate the meaning of life, the beauty of nature, etc. There were so many beautiful views!
The fact that it’s often between two red rock walls keeps it quieter as it’s separated from traffic and the surrounding neighborhoods. (I definitely contemplated taking a nap on one of the benches. It was a super hot day and the trail was pretty much empty aside from me!)
The Contemplative Trail goes for a little over a mile and ends at a junction for the Quarry Pass and Sand Canyon trails, so you can loop back, but I decided to keep going with Sand Canyon to make a sort of loop!
If you’re hiking this in the summer, definitely bring a water bottle and wear sunscreen, a hat, etc.! As with all hikes, please leave no trace (or leave it better)!
- Have you ever taken a nap on a hike?
- Check out my other Colorado posts! :]
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I love hiking in Colorado! Sure wish we could escape there right about now
Deborah Brooks recently posted…Easy Edamame Sesame Noodles Meatless Monday
I wish I could too! All our nearby parks/trails closed. :[
That looks like a wonderful place to hike. I’d love to go there one day.
I wanna go back! Colorado is such a gorgeous state!
I love that you add pictures, elevation, and distance when you talk about your trails. SO very helpful!!
Thank you! :] I’m glad it is!
Farrah recently posted…Contemplative Trail to Sand Canyon Trail Loop
This looks like such a wonderfully peaceful hike!
It really was! :]
Fararh recently posted…Ultimate Coffee Date: April 2020
What a wonderful little hike. I love the fact that it has so many different views. Wish I had something similar close to home!
I wish that too! They closed all the trails around here. :[
Farrah recently posted…Ultimate Coffee Date: April 2020
I’ve been cooped up indoors for too long. Your post is making me itch for a nice nature hike!
I really miss being outside! :[ Yay for virtual travel at the moment, hehe.
What a cool place to hike among the rocks! On my list when I get back to the states!
It’s definitely an awesome place to visit! :]
Going to Colorado (hopefully) in September! Im excited to check out this trail! Great info, and love how short, sweet, and to the point this post was! Thank you for sharing :)
I really hope we can travel again by September!! :[ I hope you enjoy this place! <3 I'd love to go back someday!