Hi Hiking Freethinkers,

Weather permitting, there will be a hike on Saturday July 31st and a different hike on Sunday August 1st. There will be five hikes from which to choose.

Hike 1) Spruce Mountain. This is a relatively easy 5 1/2 mile round trip hike with an elevation gain of a few hundred feet. A portion the hike to the top of Spruce Mountain is of moderate steepness, but almost everyone should be able to do this hike. I consider this to be a relatively easy hike. We would be carpooling from my house.

Hike 2) Almagre Mountain. This is a relatively easy to intermediate level hike. This hike has about 500 ft elevation gain to the top of Almagre Mountain which is at 12367 ft. The round trip is about 4 miles. We will need to carpool to the trailhead, in two phases. The first phase starts from the park-n-ride between Nevada and Tejon under interstate 25. We will be driving up Old Stage Road (west of the Broadmoor), then west on Gold Camp Road until we get to National Forest Road 379. From here, we will need to proceed only in 4 wheel drive (or all wheel drive) vehicles with relatively good ground clearance. I have one that can hold several people - but not very comfortably, but we may need more vehicles depending on how many people attend. If you have a 4 wheel or all wheel vehicle, please let me know.

Hike 3) Seven Bridges Trail to Jones Park. Depending on the interest of the group, we may want to go beyond Jones Park in some direction (there are a few choices). Depending on how far we want to go on the trail, this can be anywhere from a relatively easy hike to somewhat difficult. Due to the limited parking at the trailhead, we will park off site and carpool to the trailhead.

Hike 4) Chautauqua Trail 715 to the top on Mount Herman. This trail starts on the south west edge of the town of Palmer Lake and heads towards Mount Herman. There are short sections that the trail is extremely steep (in some locations to avoid walking in Monument Creek). Overall the trail has a relatively gradual incline. I would rate this trail as intermediate to difficult in nature (round trip of 10 to 12 miles, about 1500 ft. elevation gain to the top of Mount Herman). We would be leaving from my house and carpooling to the trailhead.

Hike 5) Hikers choice. Please give me your idea for a hike A.S.A.P. and I will add it to the list in a few days.

Please choose the hike(s) you would like to do and which day(s) you are available to hike. Please do not vote unless you are likely to attend.

Due to the number of people on the hike, please let me know if you plan on attending the hike. If you change your mind, please let me know that also.

We will be leaving the carpool site promptly at 9:00 AM.

Rich (594-4506)