By Steve Pate
With the recent torrential rains, many local trails have been damaged. After being closed briefly for storm damage repairs, the Palmer Lake reservoir road was reopened and is passable for hikers and mountain bikers. Both Palmer Lake reservoirs are full.
On a hike around the Ice Cave Creek Trail (ICCT) loop on May 26, I found the ICCT in great shape. Ice Cave Creek is running strong, and one might get their feet wet hiking the two crossings on ICCT and Swank trails. Rains have caused erosion on Swank trail, especially just south of Ice Cave Creek with water running down the eroded center of the trail.
Road damage has restricted access to Mount Herman via Mount Herman Road. According to reliable reports, most of the trails around Mount Herman, Raspberry, and Limbaugh Canyon are passable for hikers and bikers, but please do not attempt to drive up Mount Herman Road to the trailhead, FS 716. The U.S Forest Service closed the road to vehicles. Those who hike regularly in the area know that someone opened the gate and drove their 4 Runner up Mount Herman Road into a washed-out ditch.
Photos by Steve Pate taken May 26
With spring rains, the area’s trails are beautiful and greening up. Even the “devastated” wildfire mitigation areas are showing signs of renewal.
Steve Pate can be contacted at stevepate@ocn.me.
Other On the Trail articles
- On the Trail (in memory of Tim Watkins) – Monument Hiking Group to Ice Cave Cliffs and Cap Rock (2/1/2025)
- On the Trail (in memory of Tim Watkins) – Mount Herman Road closure update (1/23/2025)
- On the Trail (in memory of Tim Watkins) – Enjoy being outdoors, but be prepared (11/2/2024)
- On the Trail (in memory of Tim Watkins) – Prescribed burn promotes forest health (7/6/2024)
- On the Trail (in memory of Tim Watkins) – Palmer Lake bridge dedication ceremony (6/1/2024)
- On the Trail (in memory of Tim Watkins) – Cadets build bridge over Monument Creek (5/4/2024)
- On the Trail (in memory of Tim Watkins) – Mount Herman “Leap” (4/6/2024)
- On the Trail (in memory of Tim Watkins) – Palmer Lake Reservoir hike (3/2/2024)
- On the Trail (in memory of Tim Watkins) – Black Forest Trails Association (12/2/2023)
- Mount Herman fire averted (11/4/2023)