North Blodgett Loop

In the coming weeks, expect to hear more about trails opening around the south end of Blodgett Open Space, from a new parking lot below Pikeview Quarry. Over the years, trails have steadily expanded along with preserved acreage in that direction, into more hills backdropping Colorado Springs’ north side. 

But as attention turns toward the old quarry, let us not forget why we came to love Blodgett in the first place. Let us not overlook the main trailhead now mapped as the North Blodgett Trailhead along Woodmen Road. 

Why did we fall in love with this open space in the first place? We’d say for how it provides a quick escape right in the neighborhood ー scenic nature amid the fastest growing area of the city.

Of course there’s the adventurous, steep climb up Blodgett Peak. But one is also satisfied by a simple loop around the regal peak’s base. 

Just up the wide, gravel path from the parking lot, we started the well-marked North Blodgett Loop by taking the thinner trail to the right. The singletrack enters a tunnel of oak and switchbacks up the hillside for views of Blodgett and neighboring promontories. 

The trail soon enters into the shade of creek-fed woods. We found ourselves alone and imagined people being spread out across the expanded trail system beyond, allowing us the chance to hear the small trickle of water here. 

At a split, we stayed straight to cross over the creek and continued North Blodgett Loop up a steep hill, which tops out at a municipal water tank and surprising, castle-like rock formations. The loop continues to the left of the tank, along a narrow trail through a wavy meadow. 

The trail meets the familiar wide, gravel path. On the way down to the parking lot, we enjoyed big sky views of the city and the Black Forest treeline against the plains. 

Trip log: 1.5 miles round trip, 358 feet elevation 

Getting there: North Blodgett Trailhead at 3786 Woodmen Road

FYI: Open 5 a.m.-10 p.m. May-October; until 9 p.m. November-April. Multi-use trails. Dogs on leash. 

SETH BOSTER, THE GAZETTE