Bike Route 7 - New Santa Fe Trail

(From 7/31/06 on my old blog)

This ride is 34 miles out and back. The trail runs from Colorado Springs to Palmer Lake mostly along the abandoned right of way for the Santa Fe Railway. This is where the trail gets its name. The railroad was taken up in the 70’s to avoid running through neighborhoods with lots of street crossings in Colorado Springs. Instead, the railroad uses the still existing track now owned by the Union Pacific Railroad.

You can access this trail at numerous places along the way but it you want to ride the entire length, I suggest starting in Colorado Springs. The trail crosses Woodmen Road about 1/4 mile west of I25 and there is a small parking lot there if you carry your bike via your car. The trail heads north from there for 17 miles to Palmer Lake. On the way, you pass through the Air Force Academy where you are not always on the railroad right of way. Eventually, you come to Monument and then end at the lake in Palmer Lake. I recommend starting from Colorado Springs because it is uphill all the way to Palmer Lake although the grade is not usually noticeable. The end of the ride at Palmer Lake is about 7200 feet in elevation.

If you want to start in Palmer Lake, you can get there via Monument on Colorado 105 which intersects with I25. Or, if coming from Denver, you get off of I25 at County Line Road and head west towards the mountains about 3 miles. The parking area for the lake is right before the railroad crossing.

This trail actually continues farther south from Woodmen in Colorado Springs. From Palmer Lake, you can go farther north as well on another trail that I have not tried.

Most of this ride is quite pleasant and there are interpretive signs along the way about the area that you can read if desired. Part of the trail closely parallels I25 so you do hear a bit of traffic noise. The last time I rode this trail, Air Force was playing a football game and I got to see the flyovers.