HIKE NAME: LA DEUX RESERVOIRS TRAIL w/ OPTIONAL ICE CAVE LOOP, starting from Palmer Lake Reservoir Trailhead
HIKE DATE: MONDAY JULY 6 2026
HIKE START TIME: 8:30 AM Please arrive at Trailhead 15 minutes before Hike Start Time.
TRAILHEAD: PALMER LAKE RESERVOIR TRAILHEAD, near Palmer Lake Fire Department. Trailhead Coordinates: 39.1192883, -104.9112381 Parking fee at Trailhead: $5.30 per vehicle (card only)
OPTIONAL MEETING PLACE FOR CARPOOLING: Woodmen Rd & I-25 Park n’ Ride. Heading west of I-25 on Woodmen, take first left and turn south onto Corporate Dr. At south end of parking lot turn right onto Mark Dabling Blvd and immediately turn right again into the parking lot. Coordinates: 38.9317303, -104.8154671 Please arrive at Optional Meeting Place by 7:40 AM, leave for Trailhead at 7:55.
HIKE DESCRIPTION: This hike location presents strikingly different panoramas from what we usually see elsewhere. There are grand expanses of dark green spruce and giant gray boulder displays marching up (or down) the canyon slopes. The compact Reservoirs and surrounding forests provide peaceful settings to enjoy as we walk alongside. We heard and saw quite a few birds and wildflowers were beginning to provide beautiful multicolored displays.
We are going to try something quite different on this hike. The canyon that heads out of Palmer Lake up to the Reservoirs also includes a side trail loop up to the Ice Cave. If we have enough people signing up, we may split into two groups - one that hikes up to the Reservoirs and back (Group 1) and one that that adds the Ice Cave side trip and returns by the main trail (Group 2). The groups can start up the main trail together and perhaps rejoin towards the end to have some conversation and snacks and head down to the parking lot together.
HIKE DISTANCE: 4.1 mi or 4.7 mi (depending on which hiking group you choose)
ELEVATION GAIN: about 600 ft (Group 1), 965 ft (Group 2)
HIGHEST ELEVATION: 7,800 ft ( Group 1), 8,150 ft (Group 2)
TRAIL SURFACE & GENERAL CONDITION: There are many stretches of well packed, pleasant natural trail surfaces. There also are stretches small boulders and scree coupled with uphills and downhills that make for some challenges (see hike Difficulty levels below).
CURRENT TRAIL CONDITIONS: The trail was dry and pleasant when we pre-hiked this week.
HIKE DIFFICULTY LEVELS (est):
Group 1 route (no loop up to Ice Cave): Moderate to Challenging (fairly steep initial climb but trail surface is mostly even and good for climbing and descending.
Group 2 route: Hikers who choose Option 2 must be sure-footed and comfortable navigating loose gravel using tree branch hand-holds. There are several steep sections where you will need to climb over rock boulders. This section is rated “Moderately Challenging” by AllTrails, however our pre-hike considered several sections to be “Challenging” or even “Hard”.
HIKE LEADERS: Steve Ashbee steveashbee@comcast.
WEATHER: Check up-to-date weather forecast for Palmer Lake - and maybe also Woodland Park up at the altitude we will be hiking - before the hike and dress appropriately, including a hat and other sun protection as well as rain gear or a windbreaker if rain or windy weather is forecast. Clothing layers for expected temperature range and wind usually work best. The area above Palmer Lake where we will be hiking generally has summer temperatures 5° to 10° cooler than COS.
HIKER PREPARATION/EQUIPMENT: Bring plenty of water!! Hiking boots and hiking poles are strongly recommended to handle the uphills and downhills. Bring a hat and other sun protection as well as rain gear if rain is forecast.
RESTROOM: Portable toilet at Trailhead.
PETS: Dogs are NOT allowed.