Mount Rosa via Pipeline Trail

Dogs Off-leash

Features Birding · Commonly Backpacked · Fall Colors · River/Creek · Spring · Views · Waterfall · Wildflowers · Wildlife

Park at High Drive and Gold Camp Rd. Head down Gold Camp Rd. to 7 Bridges Trail (#622). Next take Pipeline Trail (#668) to Foresters Trail (#701). Foresters Trail (#701) will connect to Nelson's Trail (#672) and out to Mount Rosa (#673). Mount Rosa (#673) is an out and back to the summit. Continue on Nelson's Trail (#672) toward FSR 381, turn right for St. Mary Falls Trail (#624). It is unmarked, so look for fence posts on left side. Take the St. Mary Falls Spur Trail out to the falls and back. Then head on down St. Mary Falls Trail (#624) toward Gold Camp Rd. and toward the parking lot.

Drinking water is not readily available. Water from streams should be treated before use. Runners are advised to carry an adequate supply.

Some very steep, loose areas.

Slow going. Super loose/steep in multiple sections.

This is an ambitious day run for a body blitz, or divide this into two gratifying shorter day runs. Camping is allowed along most of the trail.

Park at High Drive and Gold Camp Rd. Head down Gold Camp Rd. to the 7 Bridges Trail (#622). Enjoy the easygoing path along the creek and across the beautifully crafted bridges. After the 7th bridge, comes a small scramble up to a scree field with some fantastic views of Kineo Mountain, as well as down into the channel of North Cheyenne Creek.

From the end of 7 Bridges Trail (#622), the Pipeline Trail (#668) will continue along the ridgeline for a stretch then cross North Cheyenne Creek.

From here, the wildflower-lined path is an easy ramble along and across the creek. After several stream pass overs, the trail steepens and the climb becomes more demanding, but the splendor of the cascades of the creek make the incline seem less strenuous. At long last, the final passage of the trail travels through the forest until it meets Foresters Trail (#701).

Take Foresters Trail (#701) to the left. This portion of Foresters Trail (#701) is a relatively uneventful doubletrack. After about .33 miles, Foresters Trail (#701) ends at the junction of FSR 379. Run from Foresters Trail (#701) and to the left several feet along FSR 379 (small parking area) and find the trailhead for Nelson's Trail (#672).

Foresters Trail (#701) connects to Nelson's Trail (#672) . Nelson's Trail (#672) is densely forested, but heavy with roots, rocks and ruts. The incline is steep and rises relatively quick. This is an advanced trail with very little water resources.

At about 1.3 mi on Nelson's Trail (#672) is the trailhead for Mount Rosa (#673). Mount Rosa (#673) heads up to the summit of Mount Rosa (11499 ft.). Mount Rosa (#673) is an outstanding out and back with great views.

After summiting Mount Rosa, continue down Nelson's Trail (#672) toward FSR 381. Upon reaching FSR 381, head to the right to find the St. Mary Falls Trail (#624). This trailhead is unmarked, so look for the fencing on the left side of the open area.

Once on St. Mary Falls Trail (#624), you'll start to descend quickly until you reach a flowing spring. This is a good water resource if in need. Please filter! After crossing the spring, the trail evens out for about a mile along the ridgeline. Again, the trail will have a steep slope toward the falls.

Upon reaching the signpost, take St. Mary Falls Spur Trail out to St. Mary Falls. This is a great photo op or place to rest. From the falls, the trail descends gradually and is a moderate ramble alongside Buffalo Canyon Creek to Gold Camp Rd. and the parking lot.

Columbines, primrose, yarrow, Indian paintbrush, Aspen stands, mixed pine, grasses. Birds and snakes.

Frank Nelson (1857 -1944) came to Colorado from Denmark in 1906 and is widely credited with having built the 7 Bridges Trail (#622) in (1906). Nelson prospected while operating Nelson's Resorts (Nelson Camp) from 1906-1931. Tourists would travel from the Gold Camp Road to several resort cabins along what is currently the Pipeline Trail (#668). Remains from the cabins as well as various nails, cans, and metal items are still present as of 2013.

Rose Georgina Kingsley was an early British settler of Colorado Springs. Rose was an author, teacher, avid botanist, runner and mountain climber. While running and collecting flora in the area, she became cordial with the survey crew of Dr. Ferdinand V. Hayden. During this time, she became the first lady to climb to the summit of Monte Rosa, which was named in her honor by the crew. (Women Rewriting Boundaries: Victorian Women Travel Writers)