Red Rock Canyon Open Space

Best Trails in Colorado Springs

Red Rock Canyon Open Space is one of the best trails in Colorado Springs. The reason it's the best trail for hiking is that aside from the glorious beauty within, it's perfect for everyone and all ages. From toddlers, to elderly, to those with disabilities. The trail is very wide, but not too steep. It's a great trail for beginners, too! Just grab yourself a bottle of water and have clothing layers, podcast ready, and go.

Hiking Trails Near Me!

This hiking trail is very close to you if you live in Colorado Springs or Manitou Springs. That's the other thing that's nice about this trail. You don't have to go too far into the mountains to get the trees and fresh air feel. It's right here in town. It's located at 3550 W High Street. So, if you're heading towards the mountains (aka head west) on Cimarron, it'll be on your left. There's limited parking, so the earlier, the better.

Things to do in Colorado Springs

If you're at Red Rock Canyon, consider bringing your bike along. There is an area for bikes with ramps. Check out the beginning of the video to see what it looks like. You can also rock climb (beginner friendly) off the trail. There are plenty of outhouse toilets. Just don't forget your sanitizer just in case! There's loads of shade with all the trees around the trail so it's not super hot, but always bring ice water and stay hydrated. Bring your sunscreen as well.

Red Rock Canyon Trails

Many of the frustrations from locals of those that visit or move to Colorado Springs is that sometimes some people don't take great care of our city. There's so much more trash all over our beautiful city than ever before. It used to be much cleaner. So, when you're out there, please stay on the trails, pick up after your dog, and keep trash with you or toss in the appropriate bins inside of a tied bag, preferably, if possible. There are plenty of animals that are on the trails and in the grass. Please, don't walk on the grass or leave the trails. This area is still being reclaimed or restored. Let's keep it clean and beautiful!

There are several different trails to consider. Feel free to download the Red Rock Canyon Trail map here. I haven't even begun to see everything as many times as I've been here.

To see our hike up the rocks where Native Americans lived, click here. So cool!

This is one of my favorites hikes to walk. Mostly because it's incredible and easy to do, but also because I have great memories here. Hiking with my brother...walking with my husband. My husband and I laughed so hard I nearly peed myself trying to figure out how to climb up this rock formation to get a better view. We were struggling. Like sweating, grunting, etc. We were there for what seemed like forever trying to get up this rock. Then, another couple came up and said "yeah, we usually just use the stairs" and we look over to the left and yes, there were steps going up to the where we were trying to go. I still laugh about it today. How much effort we were putting into something that was actually super easy.

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Boundaries

Lately I’ve been hearing the word “boundaries” more and more. I am an empath, so I tend to want the best for people to the extent of sacrificing myself, my mental health, and my own resources. I so badly want to see others succeed that I do more than I should. I give more than the other end of the relationships’ fair share. I know for this next phase of my journey, I need to remove toxic people from my life.

So to qualify that comment of removing toxic people, I do not mean people who offend you. If you get offended easily and start cutting out of control like you’re Edward Scissorhands, slow down! The phrase has been overused and has become a license to think that just because someone says something you don’t like, doesn’t mean they are toxic and need to be gone. Sometimes it’s important to reflect and meditate on what they are saying.

In a recent situation, I had been friends with someone for a very long time before I realized this person no longer added value to my life. I often felt depleted and used by the end of my interactions with this person. And when I finally spoke up about my feelings, I was rejected. This was so painful to me, considering all those years of support for this friend financially and emotionally. Anytime this friend needed something, I was there. But when I needed support, I didn’t get the same reciprocity.

One day I decided I would stop coming to the rescue and sure enough, the conversations became less and less. I felt favor requests on the horizon with every message that started with, “Hi, how are you doing?” I saw lies and broken promises. I saw manipulation. Over years. It was as if someone had taken the blinders from my eyes this one day. I wanted this person in my life so I overlooked all the red flags. I finally became open to the truth. I finally made peace with the facts and did what needed to be done.

Lisa Nichols has been on auto-play and confirming everything I’ve been feeling about relationships. I have had confirmation and nudging from my intuition, while nursing old wounds and healing from all the hurt. This transition was not easy, but necessary. The very second I did it, I felt joy and freedom. But it also brought backlash and passive aggressiveness, which I completely prepared myself for anyway.

It’s so important to make sure you value yourself. Value your needs in relationships. Not everyone is supposed to be in your life forever, and that’s okay! I have learned to release detachment through this. I’ve learned not to let crazy people make me feel crazy. But to raise a shield for my spirit and my emotions. That this transition of relationships is good for me! I am ready to make room for healthy relationships where I’m feeling fulfilled and not undervalued. As women, we tend to meet everyone else’s needs first. We need to remember to fill our cups so that we can have enough to go around. There is a season for everything. Every thing. I’m learning to embrace the changes.