West Monument Creek Loop - Stanley Canyon

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Colorado Springs, Co

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West Monument Creek Loop - Stanley Canyon

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Difficulty: Moderate
Length: 9.0 miles / 14.5 km
Duration: Half day

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Overview: One of the easiest ways to experience many different pieces of terrain is to trek through a “loop hike.” This particular loop hike lives up to expectations. Behind the Air Force Academy is a 9300 ft tall, unnamed massif, flanked on the north by Eagle Peak and on the south by Blodgett Peak. The SC-WMC Loop trail takes you up the canyon on the north side, down behind the mountain on the west, back east along West Monument Creek, then back across the face of the mountain via a portion of the Falcon Trail. Along the way you’ll encounter granite cliffs, alpine meadows, dramatic aspen groves, and stunning rock formations.

I marked this trail as “family friendly,” and “dog friendly,” because I’ve seen both entities out there. However, the family and the dog need to be in good physical shape, because the trail is steep in many places, and its decomposed granite surface can become uncomfortable, especially after rain or horses have loosened it. The fact that it’s nine miles in length, and gains 2300 feet of elevation, should give you pause as you consider the makeup of your “friends list.”

As with all loop hikes, you can travel in either direction. I would recommend for your first endeavor that you follow the direction I’ve established in the guide.

Tips: Directions: Enter the Air Force Academy at the South Gate, exit 150 off of I-25. You’ll need photo ID, and you must be willing to have your vehicle searched. Obey the speed limits on base! Follow South Gate Blvd for about a mile. When it transitions to Stadium Blvd, take a left onto Pine Drive. Drive approximately 5 miles. Just before you reach the Medical Center on Academy Drive, you’ll see a dirt road leading off to the left; turn onto this road. Stay to the right when it forks. You will end up at the trailhead parking area.

As always at this altitude in the mountains, take plenty of water.

Points of Interest

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Trailhead

This is a popular hike, but I’ve never seen the lots full. Exit the parking area onto a service road leading up into the mountains. Follow the signs to Trail #707. Once you leave the road, the trail begins its ascent up the canyon. Take your time; watch where you’re walking.

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Stanley Reservoir Dam

1388 feet above the trailhead (8865 ft altitude) is the top of the dam holding in the Stanley Canyon Reservoir. This is a lovely lake and is a popular destination in its own right (see the guide for Stanley Canyon elsewhere on Everytrail.com). For now consider it only a brief stopping point on your way around the mountain. Hike across the dam and head up the Forest Service road on its south side. A little over a half mile up the road, look for a Trail #713 sign on the right hand side of the road.

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Trail #713

At first glance, the Trail #713 sign seems to be incorrectly placed. To the right is a large downed tree, which blocks your view of the trail. Work your way around the tree and start down the path (and down the mountain as well). The path is faint as it wends its way through the grassy meadow, but it never quite disappears. Down this section of the trail you’ll find delightful aspen groves and a couple of dramatic views of Pike’s Peak. Follow this section for about a mile.

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Forest Service Road

The trail intersects another Forest Service road at this point. An old, dilapidated bridge like structure will appear in front of you as you emerge from the woods. I did not use this. A spur trail heads off to the right, where you’ll find a place you can cross West Monument Creek in a single bound. Turn left onto the FS road and continue down the hill about 1.2 miles, keeping your eyes peeled for a small trail leading off the road to the left, up the hill.

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Resume Trail #713

The marker for the resumption of trail #713 is an old stick, held up by some rocks; no sign with numbers here. The trail is barely visible at first glance. When you reach this point, you’ll see a power line pole down the hill and the road bends to the right. Don’t kick yourself if you walk right by the junction; I’ve done this twice myself.

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Trail Split

The trail splits here. You’ll want to stay to the left as it curves back on itself. Fortunately there is a large rock arrow on the ground indicating the correct way to go. When you reach the bottom of the hill, you’ll be back beside the creek and on the FS road again. Turn left and follow this to the macadam road using the #713 signs as your guide.

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Tesla Power Plant

The trail/road ascends past the Tesla Hydro Electric Plant. As it does it reverts to trail status and leads you over the hill and down the slope back onto USAFA property. Stay on the trail.

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Falcon Trail

Approximately 1 mile from the Tesla Plant, you’ll come to a “T” intersection. This is the “Falcon Trail,” an eleven mile loop through the Academy. Turn left onto the trail, which will take you north again, back toward the trailhead. The trail is mostly single track, and you might encounter bicyclists; so stay alert. The trail is clearly marked with white trail pickets. This last mile and a quarter takes you through pine/spruce forest, up one last hill and to your car.

Pictures in this guide taken by: dougknighton

How does this work?

We wanted to hike this loop today but it was impossible: Unfortunately they restricted access now and you have to be in uniform to get a permission to hike here.
Visited on Apr 29, 2012

by hollycloud9 on Apr 29, 2012