Waldo Canyon

This week's hike was to Waldo Canyon just West of Manitou Springs.  For the first time, we went hiking with some friends, the O'Dorisios, who had coincidentally recently taken up hiking as well. 

Not knowing what to expect for parking spots, we left at 6:00 AM and hoped that it would be early enough.  The problem with looking up trails on the internet is that the information found is not always as detailed as you would like.  When we hiked in Vail three weeks ago, the website said that there was limited parking and to get there early.  Well, "limited" truly meant limited!  There were only six spots that day and we were forced to park a mile away.  The sites for Waldo Canyon said the exact same thing.  When I was done reading I wasn't sure if there would be a few spots or 40.  In the end, we were fine and the parking lot held at least 40 cars and we were about the fifth car when we arrived.  

Waldo Canyon is a nice hike.  Again, the sites vary, but the sign at the trailhead said that it was 6.2 miles.  The hike goes out a little more than 1.5 miles and then you choose whether to go right or left and loop around for 3.1 miles back  to where you started.  In hiking vernacular, this particular type of hike is called a "lollipop" because of the straight "stick" part and the round part on top.  See, and you thought you only came here to hear me whine and brag... all of the educational stuff is free. 

The sign says that the elevation gain is 2,250 feet.  But, it doesn't feel like that much of a climb.  That might have been because of our preparation from our previous six plus hour hikes.  But, it is more likely because we were yacking away with some friends.  We pretty much talked for four straight hours and it made the hike only feel like a couple.  We brought way more food than we needed... especially considering we only stopped once for a very brief snack. 

It was the perfect distance.  Long enough to get a great workout in.  Short enough that my legs weren't sore at all today.  It wasn't too long and, because of that, we never had to ask anyone how much further and have them lie to us.  Speaking of that, I actually found some confirmation of this hiking code today while looking up the trail to Hanging Lake near Glenwood Springs.  Here is the link to the article...  http://hikingincolorado.org/hang.html.  Looks like another fun place to add to the list.  Towards the end of the article, the writer states, "While you ponder your accomplishment and wonder at the beauty surrounding you, don't hesitate to stop to chat with the other hikers on their way up. The tourists will invariably ask you "How much further?" When this happens be sure to remember the locals response "You're almost there".".   See!  I told you there was an (un)written code.

The trail was a great mix of rocky openings at times and a creekside trail through the trees at others.  Throughout, we could see Pikes Peak from time to time at various different angles and it was beautiful.  We saw Manitou Springs and Colorado Springs below us.  And, because of our early start, we didn't see that many people until close to the finish.  Another great hike, another great day.  Thanks Steve and Maureen for coming along!

Here's to good friends... especially those with similar interests...