Spruce Mountain Hike

Overview

This is a moderate hike on a good, wide trail with plenty of shade and good views of the surrounding valleys on all sides at the top. It has some short, but steep inclines and is open to hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding.

Trail

This route is part of the Spruce Mountain Open Space Park. It starts out in a dirt parking lot that has a fair amount of parking available, but can fill up on weekends. The trail is non-technical and of good construction. However, watch for lose sand and dirt on some of the steeper incline sections that can cause footing to slip.

If you follow this GPS route, you will ascend on the Spruce Mountain Trail. The uphill section on this route includes some steep switchbacks, although they are short. After you get to the top, stay left when you come to an intersection, which is the Upper Loop trail. This trail affords great views of the south and the trail generally follows along the southern ridge of the mesa. From Windy Point, slowly descend till you come to the intersection of the Spruce Mountain Trail and Service Road. The descent down this service road is steep in sections. At the bottom, it will meet up with the Eagle Pass Trail that takes you back east along the base of the mountain to the start of the route at the parking lot.

Most of the hike is walking in evergreen stands, mostly with Ponderosa Pine. Eagle Pass Trail meanders through some Aspen groves and scrub oak.

Additional information this open space here: http://www.douglas.co.us/openspace/Spruce_Mountain_Trail.html