Name: Stanley Canyon Trail #707
Rating: 4.1

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Features Birding · Fall Colors · Lake · River/Creek · Swimming · Views · Waterfall · Wildflowers · Wildlife

Camping and open fires are prohibited around the reservoir by Colorado Springs Utilities, but camping is allowed on the adjacent US Forest Service land. Public access to the Air Force Academy's trails and trailheads varies and may be restricted due to the base's Force Protection conditions and other random security measures.

Description

Running to Stanley Reservoir on the Stanley Canyon Trail is one of the more popular routes up the Rampart Range and into the Pike National Forest.

The trail starts off steeply through pine/oak and spruce/fir forest and then climbs more gradually along the Stanley Creek riparian area. Stands of aspen and grassy mountain meadows appear near the final approach to the reservoir. Colorado Parks and Wildlife occasionally stocks the reservoir with trout, so a CO State fishing license is required.

Parking and a Port-A-John is available at the end of an unpaved road west of the Medical Clinic, but this road is only accessible with a DoD identification card because of a controlled security gate. Visitors should park at the Medical Clinic and run west 0.6 miles on the unpaved road to reach the trailhead.

Caution! During the winter, ice formations along steep trail crossings of Stanley Creek can be hazardous.