A few weeks ago, I told Chad that I needed to leave the house.
With the pandemic, a new homeowner’s budget, and an attention-hungry puppy at home, our options were pretty limited. However, we quickly agreed that we could use sunshine and a little exercise. We grabbed some water, changed our shoes, put Wally in bed, and headed toward a local trailhead for a hike.
We were able to walk to the base of the Colorow West Trail; probably a 9-minute stroll from our front door. From there, we spent about an hour and a half on our hike, traversing across the mountainside overlooking our town of New Castle. While the initial elevation gain slowed me down, it was the scenery that truly took my breath away.
This trail connected with the infamous Stairway to Heaven trail, which is an extremely difficult and technical trail for mountain bikers (with numerous zig-zag switchbacks), but a pretty smooth hike for walkers. Especially downhill, which was our situation.
It was a beautiful evening spent with my husband, and I vow to return for more mid-week hikes.
Colorow West Trail Hike to Stairway to Heaven
This trail has a gradual incline, traverses across mild terrain, and ends up at a fun zig-zag decline. I highly recommend stopping multiple times to drink in the view, and your water.
One of my favorite spots is the water tower, which is great for a rest and to look out on the town.
The trail is a cool mix of sage-brush and mountainside, with unique geological features. I love the mangled trees along the way.
Hike Pros:
- Scenic views
- A good workout with a nice incline
- Popular for mountain biking
- Dogs (on leash) are welcome
- Not super busy
- Lots of off-shooting trails to connect with
Hike Cons:
- Little shade available
- Parking is far from trailhead
- Have to be watchful for bikers who have the right of way
My Overall Rating: 5/5 Stars
Trail information
Length: 3.2 miles
Type: Loop
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation gain: 679 feet
Usage: Low, depending on time of day
Dogs Allowed: Yes
More information: Alltrails.com
Hiking notes: Dogs should always be leashed; there’s a high danger of crossing paths with mountain bikers.
Also: please note that the trail is closed from December 1 to April 15.
This looks amazing! I love these scenic views and would love to visit sometimes.
It’s such a beautiful place! So cool to see views of the whole town. Thanks for reading and commenting!
Wow amazing photos and inspiring decision, it’s a pity
there wasn’t shade..
Thank you! It was a great hike, probably best suited for cool mornings or evenings.
Wow! Stunning photos, this looks like such a beautiful location. x
Thank you! Such a gorgeous place to be. Thanks for reading and commenting! x
This looks absolutely incredible and it’s amazing to have that so close to home, sounds like a lovely hiking route x
Sophie
Such a gorgeous trail! Thank you so much for reading. x
What a beautiful hike and so close to your home! I know what you mean about needing to get out of the house with the pandemic! Thanks for sharing!
I’m definitely lucky to have nature right by us! Great to get fresh air while still social distancing. Thank you for reading!
This place looks absolutely stunning, I would love to take my partner here, I think she would love it 😁
It’s gorgeous and definitely a fun activity as a couple! Thank you for reading. 🙂
What a great hike, and so close to home – thanks for sharing the terrific photos!
Such a gorgeous trail! Thank you so much for reading.
Wow this is gorgeous! I love the mountains in the background.
It’s so scenic and unique! Thank you for reading.
I’ve never heard of this place before but it looks so beautiful!
🌿 Marissa Belle × marsybun.com 🌿