Palmer Park

I had a rare Monday off work, so I went for another hike in another Colorado Springs Park — Palmer Park. But first, I went to REI and bought my first pair of hiking boots. Two helpful women worked with me to find a pair within my price range that were comfortable, water-proof and sturdy. I ended up hiking almost seven miles on trails like this, and the boots were great.

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I wandered all over Palmer Park. I think I was on every trail at one point or another. I started on the south end and covered much of the Cheyenne, Grandview, and Kinnickinnick Trails.

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This was pretty funny. I was taking a photo of this rock with the hole through it. Just before I pushed the button, a Rock Squirrel popped up in the opening.

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I ended up on an overlook that gave me a great view of Colorado Springs and the mountains beyond.

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Downtown

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Garden of the Gods

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I heard a flock of magpies in the woods below the overlook. I didn’t see them, but I did see a Mule Deer.

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Three more showed up and they ran around in the woods for a couple minutes before two of them posed.

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I drove to the north end of the park and began walking the Mesa Trail. It was a little dull, so I dropped down the bluff a ways and walked most of the Templeton Trail. For most of its length, it hugged the side of the hill.

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Dark-eyed (Gray-headed) Junco

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Spotted Towhees

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I probably went an hour and a half on this trail without seeing another human. That, plus the terrain, made me feel like I was out in the middle of nowhere. but then I’d look to my left and see Colorado Springs at the base of the hill. The city completely surrounds the park. You can get an idea of what it was like in this photo.

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Woodhouse’s Scrub-Jay

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In all, I did about six miles in the park. It felt like a lot more because almost every step was uphill, downhill, or stepping over a rock. Definitely impressive for a city park.

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