Over the past five years or so, the possibilities for adventure in one of Colorado Springs’ most beloved parks have expanded. 

The city Parks Department’s priority with North Cheyenne Cañon: connectivity. Connectivity that might just keep you from attempting to park in the limited spaces along the road through the canyon. You might just start from more plentiful parking at the mouth of the canyon, by Starsmore Visitor and Nature Center. 

That’s what we did on our last visit — returning to a familiar favorite and connecting with a newer trail that reaches one of North Cheyenne Cañon’s most classic trails. 

The familiar favorite: Lower Columbine Trail. The newer connection: Creekside Trail, which takes one to the Mount Cutler/Muscoco trailhead and often full parking lot. 

Some advice for Cutler and Muscoco seekers: Do as we did here and swap the hassle for more time in nature. 

Start on Lower Columbine Trail, which runs past the nature center and follows the creek for a quick escape into the forest overlooked by rocky crowns. In about a mile, the trail continues on the other side of the road and proceeds to Middle Columbine Trail. 

Continue up Middle Columbine for more views before turning left at the marker for Creekside Trail. The trail dips to the road, where traffic is drowned out by the creek rushing and tumbling over rocks. Carefully enjoy a bit of adventure while scrambling over some of those rocks. On the other side, the trail sharply switchbacks and dips again. 

Our tracker read 1.6 miles at the turn for Cutler and Muscoco. Count that as your additional mileage if you’re bound for the mountaintops. 

Or you can do as we did here, enjoying the serenity along the brief stretch of Creekside Trail ahead and turning back the way we came. 

Trip log: 3.4 miles round trip (out and back), 548 feet elevation gain

Getting there: Parking lot across from Starsmore Visitor and Nature Center, 2120 S. Cheyenne Canyon Road. 

FYI: Park open 5 a.m.-10 p.m. May-October; until 9 p.m. November-April. Dogs on leash. Trails icy in winter; bring traction.

SETH BOSTER, THE GAZETTE