A Cool Run On A Cool Day At Red Rock Canyon Open Space
If was February, snow was forecast in Golden, my new Colorado hometown, and I wanted to get out and run. I had moved in mid-December and was itching to get out for some miles on a runnable trail. I also wanted to find a place with great scenery and see something that I hadn’t yet seen. I day trip seemed like a good idea.
I had been to the Manitou Incline on Christmas Day and remembered that I had passed a park on the way there … Red Rock Canyon Open Space. I saw a lot of cars and people, but I really didn’t know much about what was there. Sometimes we race to a place that we have heard about and miss so many cool places along the way. This was one that I’m so glad I had made a mental note of.
I left early morning, skirting between the foothills and South Denver’s surrounding suburban cities, caught between sprawl and beautiful views that seem to shoot out of the ground. Nature’s skyscrapers distracted me on 470 until I turned towards I-25 and differing views of Castle Rock. Eventually Colorado Springs comes into view, shadowed by Pikes Peak. The 14er, one of Colorado’s 54 mountains that soar above 14,000 feet, just brought joy to me once again. It was one of the mountains that I remember welcoming me to the Centennial State.
I followed the curving road through the Springs looking for the signs point to 24 and Manitou Springs. I began to get that feeling of excitement, one that I would eventually realize is there every time I head out to explore some place new. It is a strange feeling of excitement that seems to clash with the feeling of peace when I head out for a run in nature. I no longer look to run on concrete as the run itself becomes less important that the journey of exploration.
I parked. I put on my running shoes ... Salomon SpeedCross 6 that I had just picked up at Runner’s Roost in Golden. I threw on my running pack and grabbed my Black Diamond trekking poles, locked the car, and started up a trail on the West side of the park. The trail was wide, making room for the people walking and hiking. They stared often, probably wondering about my choice of shorts and a light Patagonia shirt in such cold temps … 30s if I remember right. One tip that I had picked up from some new acquaintances in Golden was to start cold as I would soon warm up. Coming from a humid environment into such a dry, high-desert environment I quickly learned that sweating combined with cold equaled misery and danger.
The wide trail soon tapered into single track as it wound through Yucca, Pincushion Cactus, and prickly pear cactus … just a few of the different 600 plus plants that grow in the grasslands and shrublands. Geologic uplifts of red sandstone split the middle of the park from North to South offering a contrast to the green foliage. Maybe the only frustrating thing about trail running at Red Rocks Canyon Open Space is the sheer number of trails … straight, right, or left. Yeah, it sounds strange to almost complain about to many trails.
On my run I strung together the Sand Canyon Trail, Mesa Trail, Section 16 Trail, Upper Codell Trail, Hogback Valley Trail, and several other small trails to make it back to my car. What I enjoyed the most was that the park slopes gently upward from the parking areas to the back of the park, so the second half of the run was downhill bombing … fast and smooth. I did, however, jump on a few small rock ridges for just some added fun. Did I mention that I like to explore? While you are up high, take a look back across the park and you will see Garden of the Gods … another place to explore.
These days I run, climb, and hike for the pure joy. Usually there are no thoughts of training and competition that use to make me miss the little things. But make no mistake, this park offers something for everyone … especially if you love smooth and fast trails.
