Type: Road/Trail, Out-and-back
Difficulty: 3 / 10
Altitude: 7,478 ft
Elev. Gain/Loss: 3,234 ft / 1,653 ft
Dog Friendly: Yes
Jog-Stroller Friendly: Unknown
Filed Under: Running
Few trails give runners and bikers that high-elevation, adventurous feeling as easily as Upper Gold Camp Road. Once a mining-train grade and later improved for auto traffic, the road was closed after the first of three tunnels collapsed. That left this ideal high-elevation dirt road empty for hikers and bikers.
The road climbs gently and evenly over a 3 percent to 4 percent grade as it traverses in and out of several high mountain ravines. Most have southeastern exposure, so the surface stays dry almost year-round. Expansive views of green, pine-covered valleys and sheer, rocky peaks are plentiful the entire way.
This road was built in the 1880's for the railroad going to Cripple Creek, but for the last 90 years it's been used for cars. When the first tunnel collapsed it was decided to close this section of road, leaving two good tunnels and nine miles of perfect running & biking road winding into the mountains.
Head west past the gates that close off the road. The first mile is a big horseshoe curve, which comes back around and stops at the collapsed tunnel. The tunnel is fenced off to keep hikers out, but a trail on your left leads up and over.
Continue south as the road winds in and out of several canyons and near mile five you'll find another tunnel, about 100 yards long and too dark to see the ground below you. A mile later is a third tunnel, only 100 feet long but it curves inside.
After the second tunnel you'll have the whole canyon to yourself - the only sign of life is the antennas on the back side of Cheyenne Mountain and a distant view of Colorado Springs. As the road bends into each side canyon a creek runs out of the forest. The biggest of these is South Cheyenne Creek which later will fall over Seven Falls.
Run as far (or as short) as you like on this trail - it's not likely you'll bump into anyone out here after the first mile. Note that the elevation gain is calculated by software that doesn't take into account the tunnels, so it's not quite as hard as it might look at first glance - and it's all downhill on the way back!
Take highway 24 west from downtown Colorado Springs towards Manitou. Turn south on 21st street and follow it as it changes into Cresta; after you pass a high school on the right, you'll come to Cheyenne Mountain Blvd and a stoplight (a junior high is diagonally left in front of you here). Turn right at the stoplight towards the mountains.
Drive one mile further and bear right into North Cheyenne Canyon (the gate is always open). If you continue straight, you'll end up at Seven Falls, our local gaudy tourist trap waterfall.
Follow North Cheyenne Canyon road for 3 miles to the end of the pavement; use caution and watch your speed. The turns are tighter than the look, the road is narrow, and bikers and runners are frequently on the roadway with you. Park in the large, obvious parking lot at the end of the paved road.
Upper Gold Camp Road begins at the west end of this parking lot, at a closed gate. You really can't get lost from here - it's an old closed dirt road.
Posted by: tradkelly and last modified on Feb 02, 2006 by thoos
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