Royal Gorge Far Out Trail to Le Point

Transcription

1 Royal Gorge Far Out Trail to Le Point Direction to trailhead: From East Ridge Campground: Drive west from Canon City on US 50 to County Road 3A, the entrance road to the Royal Gorge Park. Turn left onto CR 3A and drive 3.4 miles to the entrance road for the East Ridge Campground located on the left side of the road. Drive 0.7 miles to where the entrance road makes a sharp turn to the right (See Figure 1). Turn left instead onto the campground road (F 30) and follow it staying to the right until it dead ends at a circular turn around. The trailhead sign is located near the southeast side of the turnaround. About 4.2 miles one way. Length of hike: 2.66 miles RT for option miles RT for option 2. Beginning elevation: 6829 Elevation gain: 314 ft. Difficulty: Easy Description: From the trail head, the trail gradually increases in elevation as it meanders through open areas followed by small groves of scrub oak, juniper and pinion pine trees. Mountain mahogany bushes also are commonly seen along this section of the trail. Great views are afforded of the mountains to the north, the Skyline hogback mesa and Canon City (Figure 2). After about 0.68 miles from the trailhead, the Far Out Trail intersects a side trail that goes west, crosses Park Road 389B, and connects with the western side of the Far Out Trail (WP1). Option 1 is for you to follow the western side of the Far Out Trail to an overlook spur called Le Point (Figure 1). This spur provides wonderful views of the canyon walls (Figure 3) and the Arkansas River below (Figure 4). Then follow the trail back the way you came foe a round trip distance of 2.66 miles. Option(2 is to continue southeast. In about 0.21 miles the Far Out Trail intersects itself at the northern end of a large loop (WP2). The trail then makes a sharp turn to the southwest. After about 0.13 miles the trail turns back to the southeast. You will pass the unmarked Summit Trail on the left (east) that drops a few feet down the eastern side of the ridge, then continues southeast below the Far Out Trail (Figure 1). Stay on the Far Out Trail. After another 0.23 miles the trail intersects Park Road 389B at the southern end of the loop (WP3). After crossing the road, the trail makes a sharp turn to the northwest. In about 0.25 miles it again crosses Park Road 389B (WP4), then turns northeast taking you back to the northern end of the loop at WP2. Follow the trail back to WP1. There you will cross over to the western side of the trail. Follow the trail northwest until it reaches the Le View spur trail to the left (west). Take the spur trail out to rim of the canyon to Le View point (Figure 1). Return the way you came to the trail head and parking lot for a total hiking distance of 3.73 miles.

2 Figure 1. Map of Royal Gorge Trails

3 Figure 2. View of Eastern Section of Far Out Trail Figure 3. View of Royal Gorge from Le View Point

4 Figure 4. View of the Arkansas River from Le View Point

5 Royal Gorge Far Out Trail to Le Point Direction to trailhead: From East Ridge Campground: Drive west from Canon City on US 50 to County Road 3A, the entrance road to the Royal Gorge Park. Turn left onto CR 3A and drive 3.4 miles to the entrance road for the East Ridge Campground located on the left side of the road. Drive 0.7 miles to where the entrance road makes a sharp turn to the right (See Figure 1). Turn left instead onto the campground road (F 30) and follow it staying to the right until it dead ends at a circular turn around. The trailhead sign is located near the southeast side of the turnaround. About 4.2 miles one way. Length of hike: 2.66 miles RT for option miles RT for option 2. Beginning elevation: 6829 Elevation gain: 314 ft. Difficulty: Easy Description: From the trail head, the trail gradually increases in elevation as it meanders through open areas followed by small groves of scrub oak, juniper and pinion pine trees. Mountain mahogany bushes also are commonly seen along this section of the trail. Great views are afforded of the mountains to the north, the Skyline hogback mesa and Canon City (Figure 2). After about 0.68 miles from the trailhead, the Far Out Trail intersects a side trail that goes west, crosses Park Road 389B, and connects with the western side of the Far Out Trail (WP1). Option 1 is for you to follow the western side of the Far Out Trail to an overlook spur called Le Point (Figure 1). This spur provides wonderful views of the canyon walls (Figure 3) and the Arkansas River below (Figure 4). Then follow the trail back the way you came foe a round trip distance of 2.66 miles. Option(2 is to continue southeast. In about 0.21 miles the Far Out Trail intersects itself at the northern end of a large loop (WP2). The trail then makes a sharp turn to the southwest. After about 0.13 miles the trail turns back to the southeast. You will pass the unmarked Summit Trail on the left (east) that drops a few feet down the eastern side of the ridge, then continues southeast below the Far Out Trail (Figure 1). Stay on the Far Out Trail. After another 0.23 miles the trail intersects Park Road 389B at the southern end of the loop (WP3). After crossing the road, the trail makes a sharp turn to the northwest. In about 0.25 miles it again crosses Park Road 389B (WP4), then turns northeast taking you back to the northern end of the loop at WP2. Follow the trail back to WP1. There you will cross over to the western side of the trail. Follow the trail northwest until it reaches the Le View spur trail to the left (west). Take the spur trail out to rim of the canyon to Le View point (Figure 1). Return the way you came to the trail head and parking lot for a total hiking distance of 3.73 miles.

6 Figure 1. Map of Royal Gorge Trails

7 Figure 2. View of Eastern Section of Far Out Trail Figure 3. View of Royal Gorge from Le View Point

8 Figure 4. View of the Arkansas River from Le View Point