Leaving Chalk Creek Canyon — I hadn’t gone far before the scenery in the rearview mirror begged me to stop and take a picture.
Chalk Creek Canyon
Sunshine on the cliff tops — Just after seven the sunlight caught the tops of the cliff behind the campground. Time for a quick picture, finish packing everything away in the car, and get on my way.
October 9, 2025 7:11
Day 9. Pre-dawn light — It’s six-thirty, and I have to be in Colorado Springs shortly after ten. I allowed plenty of time to wake up and get ready to go. This was the view that greeted me when I got out of the tent.
October 9, 2025 6:37
Well staked out — It’s been very windy, so I used all the tie out points on Ginger’s Zpacks Duplex tent. I also used the freestanding kit so I didn’t have to collapse the tent to use my hiking poles for hiking.
October 8, 2025 18:12
Entrance to the Cascade Campground — Looking out towards the road.
October 8, 2025 17:53
Back to the start and some trailside pumpkins — I saw these near the start of the trail. Hike totals: 6.5 miles and 1,300 ft. of elevation gain/loss.
October 8, 2025 16:13
Nearly down — it took me around fifty minutes to get here from the top of the ridge.