I remember passing by the Stanley Canyon trailhead on the AFA loop (near the official 10-11m marker I think)...wondering if anyone has any info on the Stanley Canyon trail (i.e. elevation, length, technical, etc). I'm planning on running it this Wed. before storms hit on thurs... any info would be great. Thanks.

Absolutely incredible day to run...perfect temp, no wind, etc. ran the falcon loop. At the stanley canyon trailhead I turned off the falcon trail and up the fire road. The trail is called 707. It started getting steep...real steep about 1/4 mile up. There were lots of marble sized nuggets of rock all the way up, then some boulders. The views are HUGE...was awesome. I didn't get all the way to the resevoir as I had time limitations. The trail isn't very runnable going up...but I had fun going down it quick, I always teeter on the edge going down steep stuff quickly. The stream flowing in the canyon isn't fully frozen but there is ice up there.

When I have more time I'll go all the way up. Before the trailhead around the 10m marker there is another trail, I think called 732 (not sure) but it looks more runnable and I think after looking at google maps it may run up to the top of the canyon as well. I may run that some time.

Yeah, I think it's too steep to try to run once you get past the introduction. I like the feel of the canyon as you start to climb. The views are great and one day I'm going to take a rod with me.

Thanks for the report.

Its been a few years since I went up Stanley and I have recollections of a lot of steep sections. I have thought about it a couple of time but as was noted, it is not a runnable trail, more of a climb. There is a couple of alternative routes. One is up west monument creek to just before the gate at the lower reservoirs where a trail takes off steeply up and to the north.

Another is from the dam at Rampart Reservoir, there is a trail on the north side of the dam that heads down that way and I would think that there is a good chance you could get there via that route.

If I get a chance, I will try to map it out. It might be good training for a winter 14er climb.

btw...West monument creek is accessable from the falcon trail at around the point where the trail starts north. There are some less used paths that take you to the tesla hydo plant area where west monument creek trails begin.

I'd be really interested in running this way you mention. Looking forward to seeing your map (when you get to it).

I live in Centennial (45mins north of the AFA), so I'm not all that familiar with the routes down there...that's why I really appreciate the work you've done here on your website.

Thanks.

There are a lot of trails on the Air Force Academy. Most of these are access roads and horse trails. The AFA has a stable on the southern middle end of the academy and this has generated a number of trails. Also, the horses are left to pasture at the southern end so it is important to close gates when traveling on these trails.

The area that I mention about Stanley Canyon and Rampart Reservoir is a bit tricky. Colorado Springs Utilities controls most of this area and are somewhat touchy about people in the area. I was stopped last summer as I skirted the small reservoir by the treatment plant. West Monument Creek used to be one of my favorite trails up to the reservoir but some years ago they put a pipeline up the valley and messed things up. Where you used to be able to go straight up the valley, now you must detour up the ridge to the right for a mile or so before dropping back to the valley floor. Also, the valley is blocked off just before the lower reservoirs with no trespassing signs. There is a trail that takes off up the ridge about this point that I think will take you to the Stanley Canyon/Reservoir area but have not been up it yet. In winter it is hard to find. This trail is not on any of the maps I have checked but from my recollection, Stanley Reservoir is almost due north of the trail start.

There is a road that goes from the dam at Rampart reservoir down to the lower reservoirs used by utilities but there is a big gate blocking access. I need to ask the security guys if this is just for vehicles or all access is blocked.

Also the trail at the other end of the dam heads off that way and it is next on my list of trail to follow but right now the dam is closed for the winter so it is not easy to get into that area.

Lastly, there is another trail known at the Schubarth Trail which traverses the AFA Recreation Area and goes along the northern edge of Rampart Reservoir but seems to end abut 1/2 mile or so before getting to Stanley Reservoir. The Schubarth trail is listed as a mountain bike trail so it should be in good shape and another I want to explore soon. If it is visible or mostly so, it might make a good snowshoe trail.

Scott,

Earlier this spring I did some tracking of the Schubarth Trail and planned to go back to check it out further but I think this route could get you to Stanley Reservoir from the Rampart Reservoir side. From where I parked, I took the trail to the right and down to the Reservoir trail itself but google earth shows the left trail (actually a jeep road) heading down towards the reservoir. From what I have been able to discover, Schubarth ends and there is a smaller trail from there but it was unclear if it went to the reservoir. At that point you would be quite close to the reservoir so my gut feeling is that there is a track waiting to be found.