Trip
Hiking – Paint Mines Interpretive Trail Loop
A 5-mile, casual, and social hike in the Paint Mines Interpretive Park open space to enjoy the colorful clays and fantastic geological formations. An easy trail with some inclines, and may be icy, muddy, or just slippery on the clay trail.
Contacts
- Sat, Mar 29, 2025
- Pikes Peak
- Hiking
- Adults
- Easy
- Easy
- Mileage: 5.0 mi
- Elevation Gain: 334 ft
- High Point Elevation: 6,600 ft
- Pace: 1.5-2.0mph
- 1 (7 capacity)
- Cancellation & Refund Policy
A casual and social hike in the Paint Mines Interpretive Park open space to enjoy the colorful clays caused by oxidized iron compounds and fantastic geological formations including spires and hoodoos formed through erosive action creating gullies and exposed layers of selenite clay and jasper.
-No Pets - prohibited by Park Rules
-We will travel as a group while enjoying the scenery and the historical highlights of this important nature area
- Pace driven by the group - we are not in a hurry
- Could be icy/snowy/muddy/slippery - the trail is made of clay
- Plenty of time for photos
- We will practice Leave No Trace principles - especially being courteous to other hikers as we will be the larger group
All Trails: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/colorado/paint-mines-trail
Meet: We will meet at the trailhead at 8:00am for a trailhead brief and equipment check.
29950 Paint Mines Road, Calhan, CO 80808
Restroom: Located in the main entrance parking area that is open year-round.
Driving Directions: Take Hwy 24 east from Colorado Springs to Calhan, turn south on Yoder Road/Calhan Highway, turn east on Paint Mines Road and look for the designated parking area. Google Map: https://goo.gl/maps/pWdq73Ybs332HYT4A
Required Equipment
- Ten essentials - dress for the weather
- Footwear for icy/muddy/snowy/slippery trail conditions (check the weather)
- Winter traction and trekking poles may be an asset