Ridgeline Trail (Red Rocks Canyon) to Mt. Buckhorn at sunset

I ran 10+ miles at sunset on Saturday after the rain and thunderstorms passed through. It was a very brief patch of rain and did not bring much moisture through, but it still kept mostly everyone home. What a nice quiet night.

The trail was not muddy at all, nor had any puddles. But the small amount of rain that did pass through quenched the ground's thirst just enough that there was no dry, dusty trail, and the trails had improved traction. Perfect trail running conditions. 

I set out into Red Rocks Canyon from the new 26th street parking lot. The trail is a wide dirt road, first descending into the Hogback Valley and quickly climbing out into the southeast side of Red Rocks Canyon.

26th Street Connector to Hogback Valley. 

View from one of the hogback sandstone outcroppings.

Since I was already right along the ridge, I continued following the hogback sandstone ridgeline that trends generally south. (If you're interested in the geology of the region, I believe this hogback sandstone ridge continues north into the Garden of the Gods and becomes the Niobrara trail.)

This trail is aptly named the Ridgeline trail.

The sunset kept treating me to amazing views down into the canyon.

I don't think I've ever run the entire Ridgeline trail from Red Rocks Canyon to Section 16 before. I've run the upper connection, one valley over, which connects to Section 16 through the Intemann trail (past the intermittent waterfall trail). 

Because it's right up along the ridge, the views are persistent and amazing! What a great alternative trail along the eastern ridge of this amazing canyon.

Soon I could see the characteristic rock of Section 16 coming up.

At this point, the trail descends the ridge rather quickly and lands you right at the Section 16 parking lot. Then I went up the short section of road to connect with High Drive, which ascends Bear Creek Canyon. 

From here on, it was beginning to get dark, so I tried to limit my photos. I was also trying to get somewhat of a workout in, so now that the sun was mostly down, I tried to focus on climbing on the wide, steep High Drive. The air was so fresh and cool!! What a perfect evening. I love when I can truly smell all the trees as I climb up a canyon.

I took a photo just as civil twilight was ending, capturing Specimen Rock above the canyon in fading light.

I had a goal in mind, and I didn't want to give up before attaining it. I climbed up the rest of High Drive and turned onto the trail 667 west at the saddle. This segment of trail goes up Mt. Buckhorn.

Buckhorn is a short little worthwhile summit. Often overlooked, and only about a mile to the top from the saddle, the elevation gained does make it feel a little bit longer.

I had a cool view of the Colorado Springs city lights to the east. It was easy to make out landmarks even in the night, like the mountaintop lodge owned by the Broadmoor on top of the north side of Cheyenne Mountain, with the radio tower farm just to the south, and the backside of the Broadmoor Hotel proper down below.

Colorado Springs city lights below, to the east.

Once on top, I was treated to nighttime views of Cheyenne Cañon. 

The almost perfect half-moon shone brightly behind the clouds in the sky, bringing out the outlines of the more prominent mountains. The half-dome appearance of Cookstove Mountain was especially stunning in the moonlight.

I spent just a minute to soak in the nighttime view. I really wished I'd had more time at this point, to just hang out on the rock outcropping on top of Mt. Buckhorn and soak in the views of the canyon all night. I had had an amazing run, and I just wanted this moment on top to last forever. Maybe longer next time!

After a brief pause, I made my descent. The one mile off of 667 felt longer due to the steepness, but once I reached High Drive again, I was flying. I just enjoyed the rapid run down the smoothly graded dirt road (which isn't open to vehicles except maintenance.) When I reached the part where the road meets with Bear Creek Canyon trail and descends by the river, I was hit with the freshest air I'd encountered all night. It was like breathing a whole field of Christmas trees. So much pine!

I completed my run by coming out of the canyon and running down 26th street towards the Bear Creek Nature Center.

A little over 10.5 miles, perfect for a sunset run! I was so happy to be able to turn this short run into an adventure. I felt like it gave me a lot of bang for my buck, a lot of fulfillment for a short(er) trip. I got a great sunset view over Red Rocks, a ridgeline traverse, a small but beautiful summit with a decent amount of climbing, and a big dose of fresh pine-scented, stream-cooled air.

I'm thankful that I got to do this one, even if it wasn't a huge mountain loop like usual. It's peaceful to find joy in the ordinary, close trails.  👣