In Colorado Springs, we love the many parks and open spaces set against the western foothills. But does a nature escape to the east best represent the city’s uniqueness? So we wondered at last visit to Palmer Park.

We charted a loop incorporating two overlooks, Grandview and Sentinel Point, and along the way admired rock formations and evergreen forests. We felt mighty grateful for the wild variety tucked near the city’s core.

It’s easy to feel grateful at the Grandview Overlook, where we parked and started. Up the sidewalk, toward the overlook, Grandview Trail starts to the right, down into low oak that clears for colorful crags.

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Our tracker was shy of a quarter-mile when we continued left for Grandview. We stayed straight on Grandview at the next split with South Canon Trail. (The route is well-marked throughout — a change if you haven’t been to Palmer Park in recent years.)

We tracked .76 miles when we turned left for East Cheyenne Trail, on to bluffs overlooking Pikes Peak. This segment also affords tall pines before meeting Grandview Trail again; we turned left toward the vista at Sentinel Point. On the rock here, look right and up for the post directing you back to Grandview Trail.

We tracked about 1.5 miles when we came to the road; we turned left for Palmer Point Trail. The path follows the road for about a half-mile before we turned left for South Canon Trail, which meets Grandview Trail.

We continued to the right turn for West Cheyenne Trail, rising to the best hoodoos and formations of the trip. West Cheyenne Trail ascends back to Grandview Trail. We turned right, returning to the parking lot.

Trip log: 2.8 miles round trip (loop), 268 feet elevation gain.

Getting there: From the park’s entrance at 3650 Maizeland Road, follow the road up to where it crests to the turn for the Grandview Overlook. Follow the road until it ends at the parking lot and overlook.

FYI: Hiking and mountain biking. Dogs on leash. Park open from 5 a.m.-9 p.m.

SETH BOSTER, THE GAZETTE