Front Range Trailmasters

About Us

Walking & Hiking Trail Enthusiasts -- Front Range Trailmasters (Colorado Springs & El Paso County)

Walking, hiking, and enjoying trails all over the area and the state!!!!!!!

We had a great response before Christmas so here we go again for 2007. We are THE source for information about trails and open spaces in El Paso County, Colorado Springs, and the state offerings in Colorado (and some in Wyoming and Montana). If we don't know then we find out.

The organizer walks over 1,400 miles each year and has since 1998 in the area and throughout the state. He got excited and logged over 10,000 miles since then. And he is normal !!!! Go figure. Just shows that walking our trails is the way to go. Some are in town near your work, some are in the mountains, some are in the county, and all are the best. Contact us about a good entry level shoe to but for under ten dollars, (get two pair -- one for the car and work, and one for around the house) and get started. We can't get him to curb his excitement about clueing you in on what to look for and where to go.

Wonder where to go for trails and walking & hiking, what to expect there, what is offered, how to get there, and who else is a part of the trend?

Walking and hiking are shown to be the best long-term exercise available. It is low impact so it can be done all your life, no special shoes or equipment are needed, and it caused one member to loose twenty pounds in six months in 2006 and keep it off. Jogging? Fine activity but the warm-up, the special shoes, shin splints, sweating then having to always take a shower and change -- things can get complicated. A gym? See the above re: "jogging". Same dilemmas.

Walking can be done at lunch, or a quick mile after work to let the traffic subside. And when you get home the place looks even more special.

And we haven't mentioned the scenery, the wildlife, and the feeling of blending into nature . . .

Join in. We have information for all walkers.

And we even give advice on what shoes to buy when first starting, and what trails to use while deciding how much of a program you want.

Some people want to get fresh air and take the kids out, some want to exercise to a sweat, and some want a place to get away. We know.

Groups for walking for regular exercise and meeting people. Miles of trails of varying degrees of difficulty abound in town and throughout the county. Why stay in during colder weather when there are so many places to walk and get fresh air? For a guide and ratings to trails contact us. Let us put you in touch with others who walk and hike in the area!

So . . . you're waiting for what ??? We're here. FOR MORE OPTIONS AND OFFERINGS ON THE WEB WATCH OUR WEBSITE (now under construction).

New for 2007

Front Range Trailmasters are on the move!!!

Happy New Year to all.

We are playing with a website so check it and then give us some ideas. This is just a template for better ideas and all of you have far better ideas than our muddled minds can create so give us suggestions as to web sources, webmasters, and so on.

But, for now . . .

We have a full set of links links about the local trail systems, and some state systems. You might have them already but this way they are all on the same page for your convenience, and they can be saved in your email filing cabinet at one site.

Hope to see all of you this Spring and Summer, and hope to get feedback from you about your trail experiences.

By the way -- did you know that there is a walking trail that traverses all the way from Denver to Durango? The Colorado Trail was begun years ago and created by sections cleared and maintained by volunteers local to those areas. A map packet of the entire trail can be purchased (we have one) and the trail can be read about at:

And, for your filing cabinet, are the links about local and state wide trail sites.

Ever been to the Paint Mines Trail site just on the east edge of Calhan? Native Americans carved and scraped out pigmented clays and soils for thousands of years at that site to make colorful pottery, dyes, and the ever-mentioned "warpaint". It is a good place to go to get out of town every now and then.

Directions are EASY!!! East on Hwy 24 past Falcon, past Peyton (look for the Peyton Spot Office) onward about ten miles or so to Calhan (watch the speed limit). Stop at Trader Jack's to look a thousands of antique and historic toys and items (for sale), then east about a half mile to the edge of town (can't miss it -- the town stops), and turn right (south) at the gas station across the road from the Calhan auction. See? Now you know where the Calhan auction is so you can go out there in good weather and go to the horse and western stuff auctions on the third or last Saturday each month (not sure if it is the third or last but they answer their phone). Go over the hill past the school and the fairgrounds. See? Now you know where the county fair is. Then turn onto Paint mine road on your left. There is a sign there, and if by now you are unsure just ask anyone.

The site is well maintained, with signs and explanations, but no pets are allowed.

So easy. Where to get a small town burger at a great price? The Bulldog on the right in the middle of town.

Until next time here are the collected sites ....

Our county trail link covers the trails nearest to your current location to include Homestead Ranch (it really is pretty), Fox Run (nice area !!!), and the Rock Island Trail at Falcon, BUT I am not sure that there is a mention of the Section Sixteen Trail at the intersection of Vollmer and Burgess Roads. Note that the Rock Island Trail is being tied into the same trail system in the city (a separate link ) since the entire trail in both city and county are from the railroad beds of the original Rock Island Line Railroad that ran into Colorado Springs through eastern El Paso County from Kansas.

On this link near the bottom are links to pages about the various trails and be sure and look at the Paint Mines link. They are east of you at Calhan and are the site of thousand year old sites used by native Americans for the dyes in the soils and clays there.

At the Air Force Academy is the Santa Fe Trail (another railroad route) with a link. That is a GREAT walk. Pretty scenery, some wildlife, away from the highway, and goes through the heart of Greater Downtown Monument (cute town) and is an easy walk.

Our El Paso County Parks & Leisure Services Map, our City Trail Maps, and others, cover the city and county.

In the city the Shooks Run Park and Trail is an old north/south railroad bed that ran through town and now goes from downtown to the edge of the north end of the central city area. A separate link.

This is an interactive map which gives a detailed map by clicking on the selected park area. If you see a green space for which there is no detailed map then it might be that the particular space is under acquisition or construction.

We also help you find Urban Trail Map, National Forest maps,USDA Forest Service maps, Pike & San Isabel National Forests maps, Cimarron & Comanche National Grasslands maps, Pike National Forest maps, Colorado Rocky Mountains maps, Front Range maps, and others.

Special Interests

Now -- can we interest anyone in getting in on the ground level of the Sand Creek National Historic Site?

Legislation is making more than 900 acres a part of the National Park Service (NPS) soon, and we have formed a nonprofit organization named Friends of the Sand Creek Site to work with the NPS is fund raising, promotion of art and historic displays about Native American culture and lifestyles, and support of the trails (hint hint) that will be put in place at the site. Besides, historic trails are fun and interesting.

Favorite Links

The Front Range Experience

My Favorite Products

Download AOL Instant Messenger