By Steve Pate
On a hike up the Palmer Lake Reservoir trail Oct. 22, I took one of my favorite loops, the Ice Cave Creek trail to connect with the Swank trail and then back by the upper reservoir. I found only a few patches of color left, but the pine, fir, and spruce forest was still beautiful.
I encourage those who are able to explore our wonderful outdoor opportunities in the Tri-Lakes area—mountain biking, hiking, horseback riding—but please be prepared from now through April for challenging conditions.
While it was 70 degrees on my hike, the abnormally warm temperatures may cause one to forget to include important items in your pack, especially if you go off the grid in remote areas. Include plenty of water, warm clothing (hat, gloves, and extra clothing), first aid kit, micro-spikes for icy conditions, snacks, and a satellite communication device if you expect to be in remote areas where cell phones do not work.
Being prepared allows you to truly enjoy your surroundings, disconnect from daily hassles, and become part of a natural environment.
I am nearing the end of my ability to hike in difficult conditions and will probably turn this column over to a younger outdoors person. I do intend to continue volunteering with Our Community News and will do what I can to occasionally contribute. One thing that I intend to continue to follow is the investigation of Tim Watkins’s murder. The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office has renewed efforts to solve this awful crime from September 2017. Again, as we suggested in OCN last month, if you have any information that might help with the investigation, please contact Jennifer Bucholtz, criminal investigator with the Sheriff’s Office, at 719-520-7227.
Steve Pate may be contacted at stevepate@ocn.me.
Other Trail articles
- On the Trail (in memory of Tim Watkins) – Monument Hiking Group planning session (4/5/2025)
- 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) – 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)
- Letters to Our Community – Protesting no parking signs at Pike National Forest (11/4/2023)