Reynolds Park (Conifer, CO) – trailmap
Trails traveled: Elk Horn Trail, Oxen Draw Trail, Eagle View’s Trail, Raven’s Roost Trail,  Difficulty: Blue (Moderate)
Loop, 4.4 miles round-trip
Time: 1 hours, 30 minutes
Weather: 70 °F, Clear, Sunny

Hike Recap:

• Majestic Mountain Views
• Pikes Peak
• Muddy
• Streams
• Woods
• No Bikes
• Shaded

This was my favorite hike of the season so far. It wasn’t too busy for a holiday (I did this on Mother’s Day). The drive is reasonable too. It’s only about 45 minutes away from me. What I loved most about the hike was how clear it was, which meant you could see a beautiful view of Pikes Peak from the 8,169ft summit area at the height of the hike.

The elevation gain on the hike was only about 700ft, but you still feel it both going up and coming back down. Most of the uphill is at the beginning of the hike and then the rest of the time you are at elevation, and the views are stunning.

This would be a fun hike for later in the season, maybe in the late Summer when things really heat up because there is a lot of shade throughout the hike. There is also a calming stream on the way up, if you take the Oxen Draw trail. The parking lot is large and this time of the year wasn’t full, which is somewhat surprising.

This hike reminded me of the “ideal” Colorado hike. There is some incline, a summit, and some spectacular views when you get up there. There is even a few logs that rangers have made into seats to view the landscape around you up at the summit area. I definitely plan to come back later in the season.

– Jason