The Midland Trail runs between Manitou Springs and America the Beautiful Park near I-25. The urban corridor mainly follows the course of Fountain Creek, paralleling US 24 (Cimarron St.). The first section of trail, starting at Manitou Springs skate park comes to an abrupt end on Colorado Street at Columbia Rd. Crossing over to the other side of Colorado, it picks up and continues its journey at Ridge Rd. finding the creek again. An on-street crossing takes you across busy S 31 st Street and the trail continues to S 25th St. At this point, cyclists and pedestrians have to use Naegele Rd. to connect to the final segment of trail at S 21St Street. To get back on the trail, turn left and head north on 21St St., between Sheldon Ave. and W Cucharras St. This final section was the subject of recent bike-ped infrastructure improvements linked to the the I-25 and US 24/Cimarron Street Interchange Design-Build project, which saw a realignment of the Midland Trail along Upper Fountain Creek, as well as improved lighting under I-25. This project is a marked improvement from the less aesthetically pleasing asphalt trail that once ran along there. At the east end, in America the Beautiful Park, the Midland Trail links to the north–south running Pikes Peak Greenway Trail.
Park at the west end at Manitou Springs Skate Park (101 El Paso Blvd). Other options are Naegele Road and S. 21st. Street (the trail is a short distance north on 21st) or American the Beautiful Park (126 Cimino Drive).
Rode the trail in Jul 2021. Part of it was closed due to construction. My biggest issue was that the road connections were not marked and I got lost a few times. Beautiful pavement along a small creek. It was a bit unusual with the large number of campers, and I kind of felt bad invading their space. I noticed a better bike trail along the Garden of the Gods park. I will try that next.
Update May 2017: New pavement on Naegele Road (US 24/Cimmarron St. Frontage Road) between 21st St. and 25th St.!
Great trail. UPDATE 2016: The section from 25th Street to Ridge Road is open; all-concrete path; The section from Chestnut Street to 21st Street is open. On-street signed detours: #1) Chestnut east to the Greenway Trail and #2) 21st Street west to 25th Street at Naegle Rd.
We went to America the Beautiful Park on July 3, 2015 to inline skate this trail, but access is closed due to a flood and washout last year. Construction is ongoing, and there are barriers preventing access to the trail along the east side. Take I-25 up to Fillmore Street and catch the trail from that point instead.
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