Lower Gold Camp Road

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4.3/5 (17 reviews)
Colorado Springs, Colorado (ElPaso County)
Last Updated: 08/31/2021

Trail Information

Highlights

Lower Gold Camp Road is a gorgeous route that travels through a breathtaking pine-carpeted area close to Colorado Springs that is rich in scenery and railroad history. As travelers drive through this beautiful area, make sure to stop and visit Helen Hunt Falls, located approximately 200 yards southeast of the southern trailhead. This gorgeous little 36 foot tall waterfall is framed by a small bridge over the top of the falls that leads up a short but steep hike to reach Silver Cascade Falls. The falls are named in honor of Helen Maria Hunt-Jackson, a United States poet and writer who became an activist on behalf of improved treatment of Native Americans by the U.S. government. The Lower Gold Camp area is the location of many scenic hiking and mountain biking trails. The route of Lower Gold Camp Road traverses 2.5 miles of what was once the location of the Colorado Springs and Cripple Creek District Railway Company's railroad line connecting the city of Colorado Springs with the gold fields of Cripple Creek and Victor. The rail line originally opened for steam locomotive service April 8, 1901 and was advertised as the shortest possible route to the gold fields. Soon after it was given the name "The Short Line." After World War I the Short Line was forced sold as a result of dwindling income from the passenger and freight service. It was purchased by a Colorado Springs capitalist named W.D.Corley who in 1926, opened the route as a toll road for vehicle travel and renamed it the Corley Mountain Highway. It was renamed The Gold Camp Road in 1939 and today is maintained for free, public travel by the US Forest Service, Teller County, and El Paso County.

Trail Difficulty and Assessment

Trail Navigation

Trail Reviews

4.3/5 (17)
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300
Open
Rated 3/5
Visited: 01/14/2023
Difficulty Accuracy: Spot On

Not at all technical, but the views over colorado springs were great. We wrapped up the day with this trail . Most difficult part was negotiating traffic.
Open
Rated 5/5
Visited: 12/14/2022
Difficulty Accuracy: Spot On

The trail was open in mid December in quite icy conditions. Very scenic trail with low difficulty. However keep in mind that it is very short.
Trail Review: Lower Gold Camp Road - Dominik Vereno
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5700
Open
Visited: 07/16/2022
Difficulty Accuracy: Spot On

Fun little trip with the kids close to home… nothing at all technical but a cool road with old railroad tunnels ending at the falls.. nice way to escape the day in town for a few hours.
Trail Review: Lower Gold Camp Road - Jake Weikert
Trail Review: Lower Gold Camp Road - Jake Weikert
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Open
Rated 5/5
Visited: 06/25/2022
Difficulty Accuracy: Spot On

The views are great! There was a lot of foot and bike traffic. This trail would be better experienced on a mountain bike if you're able. Otherwise it is a great short drive for site seeing.
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9400
Open
Rated 3/5
Visited: 04/17/2022
Difficulty Accuracy: Spot On

Very busy with N Cheyenne Canyon still closed, be cautious proceeding around the blind corners and when going through tunnels.

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