Cabin Canyon Trail, Garden of the Gods

With the traffic along the road running through the park and the picture-taking tourists scattered throughout, it can be hard to find the wild side of Garden of the Gods. But if you know where to look, you might just find it — some peace and quiet between these majestic red rocks. 

Siamese Twins are particularly majestic. It is also a busy spot, though not as busy as the Central Garden. While our latest hike visited the twin pillars, this was not exactly our purpose. 

The purpose was a much quieter trail along the way — indeed on the wild side. Cabin Canyon Trail forms a short loop before Siamese Twins, featuring lesser seen geology, mountain views and rare serenity. 

We started up the wide path on the north corner of the parking lot numbered 16, close to Garden of the Gods Trading Post. Ahead, instead of turning right for Siamese Twins, we continued straight for Cabin Canyon Trail and were greeted by the first of many Pikes Peak vistas to come. 

The trail drops to a small parking lot and continues over a footbridge into pinyon and juniper. It soon meets the road again, but we opted  for the thin path veering right into rugged wilds. 

Stone and timber steps lead the way between boulders and rock gardens that captivate with Pikes Peak. The trail eventually bends back to that small parking lot, meeting a wide trail that runs left to Siamese Twins. 

It’s a fairly steep climb to the towering pair, rising atop a perch overlooking Cheyenne Mountain, Mount Rosa, Cameron’s Cone and every promontory between Pikes Peak. 

The trail returns south along buck and rail fencing. At the split, we turned left back to the parking lot. 

Trip log: 1.4 miles (loops), 207 feet elevation gain 

Getting there: Garden of the Gods Trading Post located at 324 Beckers Lane. From here, parking lot No. 16 is a short distance up the park road. 

FYI: Park open 5 a.m.-9 p.m. November-April; until 10 p.m. May-October. Hiking only. Dogs on leash. 

SETH BOSTER, THE GAZETTE