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.
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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.
October 8, 2025 16:06
Trailside deer — the deer here are not timid, there were three in this group, but the others were enjoying an afternoon snack behind the cover of some bushes, so I could only get a picture of this one.
October 8, 2025 15:49
A brief respite — The trail levels out briefly in places.
October 8, 2025 15:27
Looking up the trail — Going up was much easier than coming down. I have just noticed that I can see my footprints going up the trail in this picture.
October 8, 2025 15:23
The views continue to impress me.
October 8, 2025 15:19
Descending — The long trudge down the ridge has begun. The trail is steep and sandy at the top, making for a very loose footing.
October 8, 2025 15:18
A last look to the southeast — before dropping back down into Chalk Creek Canyon, I popped over to the other side of the ridge for one last look at the view across the plains to the southeast.
October 8, 2025 15:15
The endless play of light — I stayed here for several minutes watching the ever-changing light move across Chalk Creek Canyon. 2
October 8, 2025 15:13
Chalk Creek Canyon — I couldn’t resist taking a picture of Chalk Creek Canyon framed by this tree and bush. It was windy and the light was changing rapidly as the clouds moved across the sky.
October 8, 2025 15:11
Getting near to the top — Looking southwest. A glimpse of the trail can be seen at the bottom of the frame. It’s looking quite rugged, and it was.
October 8, 2025 14:39
Time to head back up the ridge — At least it’s only 300 ft. on this side. But I still have 900ft. to descend on the other side.
October 8, 2025 14:35
Heading back — Look carefully, and in the middle distance, you can see the ridge I’m going to climb.
October 8, 2025 14:13
Turnaround Point, and stopped for lunch — According to my calculations, I was about three-and-a-half miles into my hike, and this log offered a great view and spot to eat lunch.
October 8, 2025 13:40
Descending — Nearly down the south side of the ridge, and the trail is leveling out. It was quite rugged in places.
October 8, 2025 12:39
I could almost be in Hercules Glades — If the Glades were at around 10,000ft, that is. I’m following the trail as it runs along the northern side of the ridge.
October 8, 2025 12:21
Looking over the other side of the ridge — I’m facing roughly southeast. The drop on this side of the ridge is only 300ft. Hopefully not a very rugged descent, and not too far for me to climb up on my return.
October 8, 2025 12:15
Under an hour later and I’m on the top of the ridge — And what a view! The fall colors and mountains are spectacular. That was a lot easier than I expected, but it was very steep in places. It was worth it for the views.
October 8, 2025 12:01
On the Colorado Trail — Okay, I did a tiny bit of this trail yesterday, but I’m counting this as my first hike on a major through trail. I’ll only be going a total of seven miles or so, but that’s enough for me with all the elevation I’ll be gaining.
October 8, 2025 11:08
Chalk Cliffs from the Colorado Trail. Day 8 – Road Trip, October 2025. Of course, they are not chalk. They are white quartz left behind after other minerals have been leached from the original rock by hot water.