Women's Forest
Details
We will hike Women's Forest ...a flat and slow rolling area (no big hills here). Expect to be walking for about 2.5 hours.
Getting there: take 24 ftom COS to Woodland Park. Continue through Woodland Park to Divide. At 67/5 intersection with 24, turn right onto Rt 5. ( turning left onto 67 will take you toward Cripple Creek).
Once in Rt 5, continue for a short bit and the road will curve left and be ime 52, but go straight to stay on 5. Then after several miles, you will see a red barn on your left. Shortly after that and at a rise/crest in the road you will see CR 511 on your left. Turn here. Drive a mile of so, abd you will come to the parking lot on your right. There is parking outside and inside the gate. You’ll just need to open the gate and pull in to park. ( it will take most folks coming from COS 45-60 minutes to get to the meeting spot)
Hike: The start sign "Memorial Forest" is actually on the north side of CR 511.(approx 50 yards east of the entrance to "Lodge at Elk Valley" opposite side of road) This is a very moderate walking/running trail that also serves as forest access roads. Appropriate for all levels. Wide and mild enough for even wheelchair bound or jogging strollers. A few gently rolling ups and downs, but mostly level. The forest is beautiful and full of aspens and birdsong. Cattle roam free here, so close the gates and enjoy their occasional boisterous calling. If you stay to the left on the main road going in, you will come to a crossroads with another green gate. to the left is 375B which is a dead end. Continuing thru the gate is a loop that comes around to hook into 375A which is the trail to the right. A little ways down 375A is another faint trail that can hook into the main one not too far from the trail head. So there's a couple options for how you loop it. Distances don't seem to vary much. Stays fairly clear and usable year round.
distance: 5.25 miles
Type:Loop
lev. Gain:508 feet
Season:Year-Round
Usage:Light
Animals:Dogs, Horses
Features:Forest, Views OFF LEASH
http://alltrails.com/trail/us/colorado/womens-forest-375
Women's Forest