HIKE DATE: MONDAY MARCH 16, 2026
HIKE START TIME: 9:00 AM Please arrive at Trailhead 15 MINUTES before Hike Start Time.
HIKE TRAILHEAD: WEST QUAIL LAKE PARKING LOT (labelled "E Cheyenne Mountain Blvd Parking" on attached Google street map). Nearest street address: 842-822 E Cheyenne Mountain Blvd COS Coordinates: 37.785222, -104.812500
HIKE DESCRIPTION (see COTREX trail map attached): This is a fun, fairly short hike we think our 3rd Monday Waldos will enjoy. Some good friends showed us this hike recently, even tho we've lived less than a mile from it for 10 years. So, a secluded, slightly secretive hideaway hike (the part below the dam).
We hike around vest-pocket Quail Lake and spend about equal time in the woody thicket and grassy areas of below the dam. We follow a little creek/wash and cross it on some solid log crossings, which are easy to manage with a helping hand.
HIKE LENGTH: 1.6 mi
ELEVATION GAIN: 140 ft
Highest altitude: 6,000 ft
Hike Difficulty: We definitely see this as an Easy hike, except one Moderate 500 ft uphill section that reaches an 8% grade briefly. We will take our time and stop to enjoy the scenery as much as we want to.
HIKE LEADER: Dan Zeddies
Email: dzeddies@zoho.com Text/phone: 719-659-6714
Contact hike leader by the day before the hike if you would like to go on this hike. Please include your first & last name, cell phone number for any last minute changes, and an emergency contact if possible.
TRAIL CONDITION: Mostly groomed and packed gravel surface around the lake, natural surface in woodsy and grassy areas below the dam. There are some damp and slightly muddy areas but these should not be concerns unless we have significant rain or snow before the hike date.
DRIVING DIRECTIONS TO TRAILHEAD: See Trailhead description above and Google Street map of area around Quail Lake. You should be able to navigate to the Trailhead using the nearest street address or the map coordinates given above with Google Maps or equivalent GPS tracker app or a navigation program in your vehicle.
WEATHER: Check up-to-date weather forecast for hike area before the hike and dress accordingly. Clothing layers for expected temperature range and wind usually work best.
HIKER PREPARATION/EQUIPMENT: Bring adequate water. Hiking boots/shoes are strongly recommended. We usually use poles but felt we didn't need them for this hike. Bring a hat and other sun protection as well as rain gear if rain is forecast.
RESTROOMS: Portable toilet at Trailhead parking lot, also parking lot at east end of lake. ("Modern" facilities near the Trailhead are closed & locked for the winter.)
DOGS: OK - bring a leash. Owners must clean up after them (of course).
Affinity Groups
Hiking Group