Colorado Springs Trail Running

Well couldn't resist the temptation of kinda cool weather mixed with wildflowers...so I drove down to the AFA. Started at 11am and parked at the 0 marker lot. This time I decided to run counter-clockwise and go up to Stanley Reservoir. So ran up Falcon trail to route 707 and took that steep climb all the way up to the reservoir. 707 becomes runnable at the 1.5 mark (it's 2m to the reservoir from the 707 trailhead). Then once I got up to the reservoir I headed right on trail 721. I ran that about 1.5m up till it seemed to top off. Knowing I waned to do the Falcon loop I turned back and headed down. There are some really great views of Pikes from that trail (721). Once getting back to the Falcon trail my quads were pretty sore, but I knew I'd have some sweet downhill. Saw about 15 bikers on the Falcon trail, zero runners. My garmin305 showed 9,200 ft as max elevation and low point as 6,660 ft.

The wild flowers are incredible, seas of purple with some orange and red contrast. Even saw some yellow cactus flowers. I took 4 bottles of water with me (carried two handhelds, and two in waist pack), but I coulda used about one more. I think the gas station would be the best place to fill up (I think it's around the 6-7m marker).

I got really tired at the sandy area (mile marker 2-4). Total run was 19 miles.

Having run this mostly clockwise (minus the canyon) and always starting at the 0m marker lot...I think I still prefer clockwise over counter- even with that long hill at the end.

That is a monster run Scott! FYI, Burger King is a good spot to fill bottles too - it is right by the BX. Something about that course dries me out something fierce.

I agree - clockwise has better flow.