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Print Friendly MapAbout an hour south of Denver, the Rock Island Trail offers a nearly 15-mile pathway in two disconnected segments in El Paso County. Future plans call for linking the two sections for a seamless trail experience.
A 9-mile section parallels US 24 on the former Chicago and Rock Island Railroad Line between the communities of Peyton and Falcon. Beautiful mountain views can be enjoyed along the way.
After a gap, the other segment picks up in Colorado Springs and follows Constitution Avenue for just shy of 6 miles. From east to west, the trail makes a slight incline and also rolls through a series of small hills. On its western end, the trail meets up with Shooks Run Trail near Weber and Jackson streets.
In Peyton, you can park along Bradshaw Road.
In Falcon, trail access is available at the dead-end of a road off McLaughlin bordering the subdivision.
In Colorado Springs, the Rock Island Trail is accessible from many places, including the trailhead at its connection with the Shooks Run Trail. Park at the Bon shopping center on Wahsatch Street and pick up Shooks Run directly behind the center. Ride north about 2 blocks and make a right-hand turn to head east (by the covered picnic bench). This is actually an alley, which you take to cross El Paso Street and pick up the trail on the other side. You can also park at Jefferson and Wasson parks along Constitution Avenue.
I was happy to see that they finally extended this trail, and added 2 miles from where it meets the Shooks Run trail to the Pikes Peak Greenway trail (at Beacon & Van Buren.), including an underpass at the Nevada crossing. Well done COS!
This could be the best commuter trail with a little work. City of Colorado Springs: PLEASE build an underpass at Academy Blvd. That crossing is presently dangerous for schoolchildren trying to bike. Please plant more low-water shade trees along this path.
This trail needs serious maintenance work. There is a pile of dirt under every bridge. Handrails are down as well between Galley and Murray. The concrete is broken beyond the point of being called concrete between Shooks Run and the newer trail. This is a commuter trail that no one cares about. It was nice to commute down the Cherry Creek Trail to work in Denver and from Denver to Englewood/Chatfield. I could even skate those trails they were so well taken care of. Hopefully, someone starts to take care of Shooks Run, the Legacy Loop, and the Rock Island trail. It could make the city more appealing to start ups, making the commute to Denver less of a necessity ($97 per day spent outside city limits on gas/food/car wear and tear).
If Colorado Springs took a little more care of and updated its trail system, you could actually commute to work without using a car. Sadly, that is impossible with the state of this system.
Rating:
0.5/5 stars
Wide concrete trail from Union east to Powers. Several sections were recently reconstructed. There are a few street crossings and an underpass at Circle Dr.
I have used this trail extensively in training for 5ks, 10s and a half marathon. it's gravel/dirt the whole with very little elevation change until a final decline into Peyton at the end. My only complaints are not the trail itself, just the environment. It is nearly always windy from breezy to full gusts, and the traffic along 24 is noisy. If you like to run with music, you may not be able to hear without turning it WAY up.Overall is recommended and fellow runners, cyclists and horseback riders are friendly.
This trail has had a lot of improvements. It's cleaned up and is actually a lot cleaner since Wasson High School closed. Great trail for bike rides. FYI this is the trail in Colorado Springs - to avoid confusion.
Does anyone know who maintains this trail? This could be a GREAT trail, but sections of it are unsafe (particularly between Peterson Road and Powers). We weren't able to get all the way south/west to Powers because it's overgrown in spots which makes bike and foot traffic difficult or impossible, and there is always a risk of snakes because you can't see where you're walking due to high grasses and brush. This is grasshopper season too so expect to be assaulted. Makes the view of Pikes Peak and the fresh air no longer the central focus. I would love to take high school students out here to instill a desire to hike and appreciate the beauty we have right here at our local beck and call, but would like to contact the agency that maintains this trail to see what can be done to bring it back to its glory! I think far more people would enjoy the Rock Island trail if it were maintained. Any ideas?
Love this trail.And yes the description is accurate. While the in town trail and the Peyton trail do not currently connect, they will in time. Only bad part is the N. Murray crossing. No light, clearly marked crossing but this is Colorado. They won't stop for you.I like how it also connects with other trails, like Sand Creek.
FYI Look for the Rock Island Trail (Colorado Springs) to submit reviews of that one... This is the trail in El Paso County (same trail name) that runs between Falcon and Peyton by highway 24 for 9 miles. It's a great trail for running, walking or biking - mainly dirt/gravel.
This is a wonderful east/west corridor trail. There is a nice homage to the old Rock Island Rail at one of the rest areas. This trail sees a lot of pedestrian traffic also.
I am eagerly anticipating connection with the eastern section of the trail.
the trail is paved from Murray to powers with a dirt foot trail off to the south side of trail .
lots of bike and foot traffic and horses are some times on trail as well a 180 ft overall climb from Murray. nice 2.2 mi oneway hike.
I'm trying to configure this trail. Part of your description talks about it being in town, from Weber to Murray. Then, when I look at the map, I see a stretch from Falcon to Peyton. Is there any "trail" connection between these two widely separated parts?
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