Section 16, Palmer Trail

We accessed the Section 16 trailhead by heading west on hwy 24, left on 21st, and then right on Gold Camp Road.  There were a group of trail maintenance volunteers working so the parking area was full and we had to park a bit further down the road.  Thanks to trail maintenance volunteers!!! 

This was a never ending climb up the side of the mountain.  We had to stop and catch a breather several times.  My husband is on a heart medication that doesn't allow his heart to speed up and he was having quite a bit of difficulty with that.  The trail is a very pretty hike through the forested mountain though.  Some parts of the trail are quite rocky. It was on this trail that we realized that a mountain trail rated moderate by some guy on the internet could be difficult.  Not only was the "internet guy's" rating subject to his personal traits (24-year-old seasoned hiker vs 50 plus in so-so shape), but that lengthy mountain hikes require a certain amount of physical conditioning even for an easy hike.  Moderate hikes are moderate because there are other mountain hikes can be exceedingly difficult.

At the top were incredible views.

The walk down the mountain was exhilarating because we had earned it!  Read that our endorphins definitely kicked in!! 

Felt good at the finish.  We are starting to realize that most of the trails here start with a climb up a mountain and end with great satisfaction.  (-;  At the bottom the trail split -- we went right where it joined a dirt road that ran along side a small bubbling creek bed.  There were some nice flowers and butterflies along side the road. 

The dirt road brought us back to Gold Camp Road where we hiked up the hill to our car.  We enjoyed the hike and are becoming addicted to the joy of hiking.  We will return when our butts are in better shape and they surely will be if we keep this up.

Palmer Lake - near the Ice Caves

This trail is located off of I-25.  Take exit 161 and take Hwy 105 to Palmer Lake.  I don't remember exactly what road we turned left on, but from google it looks like Glenway Street.  I think we got these directions online somewhere, but I can find it now.  You will see a gorgeous victorian estate on the right with a yellow victorian house and several out buildings.  I loved going this way just to see this!  It was for sale when I was there -- but at $2.7 million with furnishings included it was out of my price range.  lol!  I keep it in mind for when I win the lottery.  Later I found out this is Estemere Estate and there is a website with the history and photos online (http://www.estemere.net/).  It's even got a small chapel and potential for an art studio.  But I digress. I understand there is a trailhead from other descriptions on how to get there.  This may be the better way to go.  We did have to park near the Victorian estate and walk up the road to the gate where the trail goes up.  We could see that others were hiking up from another location -- probably the trailhead. (-;

 The first half mile is a grueling hike up hill until you reach the first reservoir.  There is a second reservoir further up that we hiked to.  Apparently to get to the ice caves you take the less developed trail to the right.  We went left and explored some trails over that way and so never got to the ice caves.  This is a really pretty hike.  Close to the reservoir there is an entirely different ecosystem than elsewhere we've been in our mountain hikes.  It is really wonderful.  There are lots of blooming flowers this time of year and butterflies.  There were several people fishing and walking about.