We have walked in Red Rock Canyon Open Space before, but today we are exploring a short .2 mile connector trail called Quarry Pass Trail. We are heading down Red Rock Canyon Trail for the last mile of our 4-mile morning hike. Although overcast, it is not smoky today. The huge wildfires north near Rocky Mountain National Park (oh no!) have been inundating us with smoke when winds head south. We have a nice respite today, so let’s explore the connector trail I’ve never done before. We’ll have a new adventure together!
Always love gnarly Halloween-ee trees.
There’s the Quarry Pass Trail heading up to the old quarry. Most of the main trails in this open space run north to south with a number of shorter east/west trails connecting them. Quarry Pass Trail connects Red Rock Canyon Trail with Greenlee Trail.
Red Rock Canyon Open Space became a Colorado Springs city park in 2003. Prior to that, from about the 1860s into the 1930s the area housed not only quarries, but a gold refining mill, gravel pits, and a 53-acre landfill. Although reclaimed as a recreation park, the land’s history is still seen in this remnant of its past industrialization. The Kenmuir Quarry, operated by the Greenlees of Denver, supplied Lyons sandstone blocks for buildings from 1888 to about 1912, when all quarry operations ended. Since the stone was expensive, it was used mainly to build mansions, some public buildings, and architectural accents on any number of buildings across the country. It is believed the quarries ended operations because demand for the stone declined, being replaced by concrete and steel.
Look at those cut-out stairs up the rock face (mid picture). This should be interesting.
Here we go. Watch your step on the uneven rock stairs ahead.
Looking east at the canyon’s rock wall, we see layers of petrified sand dunes from the Permian Period (290 million to 248 million years ago). I’m starting to love geology’s ancient tales. If you enjoy geology, you might want to check out : Geologic Clues Build Picture of Red Rock Canyon’s Past.
Here we are. Hmmmmmm . . . . thinking this could be a rather dangerous climb.
Luckily there is an easier way up. OK, onward up wimpy trail.
Here we are! There is already something peaceful about the treed space surrounded by high red rocks. Feel it?
Human-made rock stacks along trails, called cairns (kɛərn), are navigational devices used to mark a trail. In recent years it has become a fun aside to try stacking rocks, but even the National Park Service tells you not do so on the hiking trails both in the parks and other wilderness. Regarding cairns, you need to check the rules for a given park. Certain parks maintain their cairns as true navigational markers especially on longer hikes and in the backcountry. Although people now use their smartphones to navigate, it becomes a problem when spotty or no service is available–yes, there are still places with no service. On this short trail cairns are no issue, and it looks like people had fun make the stands–no glue allowed.
Cairns can be all shapes and sizes and not only used for navigation. Historically they have been markers for burial sites, monuments, and other cultural events and places that need remembering. The trail cairn is clearly navigational and can be very helpful, especially if your battery dies.😉 But really, if weather turns bad and the trail gets snow covered or mucky in heavy rain, a safe return is significantly helped using cairns.
South end of the quarry. Yes, you can climb the “steps” but they rise five to six feet so that’s a challenge. I’ll pass on the climb option, thanks.
What are those huge seed pods? Unbelievable, milkweed. It is so hot and dry here it is amazing to see them at all. Hopefully the seed pods are ensuring life next year. We’ll have to check them out next summer.
Up the stairs and along the trail to the north end of the quarry.
Higher view of east wall and canyon floor. Not the kind of canyon we often envision. Very different from river-eroded canyons like Grand Canyon, but nonetheless a canyon. The features of the various rock layers are clearly seen up here.
Wow, we have to scramble up the rocks??? Right side looks “easier”.
Phew! Still a bit of a climb at last step, so be careful!
We are at the highest point on the trail. We now see both the canyon’s far wall plus right below the trail and its environs we just walked.
Standing mid-way between the north and south wall of this westward trail’s highest point, there are a few trees growing in crushed-rock sand. Turns out these are four different kinds of tree, each common to this park. Peaking out at left is a Ponderosa Pine, then Piñon Pine, Rocky Mountain Juniper, and Doulas Fir. There are also lots of birds flitting in the rock crevices and in the trees with pine cones.
Flitting so fast a good picture is impossible. We are seeing Pygmy Nuthatches (Sitta pygmaea) and a few White-breasted Nuthatches (Sitta carolinensis). Pygmys are tiny, about four inches long, with bundles of energy. They primarily live in long-needle pine tree forests (Pondersa pines in the West) feeding on insects and seeds. They usually travel in large groups and we are seeing at least 10-12 in the few trees up here.
As the trail continues out of the quarry proper, our view is southwest.
With quarry rock on our left, the trail at right will take us downhill from here.
Watch your step! Most of the rocks are loose offering great tripping opportunities.
The trail straight ahead is Quarry Pass Trail continuing to another major north/south trail, Mesa Trail. After getting down this hill, we will turn right onto Greenlee which we cannot see from here.
There is Greenlee below, but what a lovely view of Garden of the Gods without smoke!
Here we are on Greenlee Trail which will take us back to the parking lot. This connector trail was lovely. We should come again, bring lunch, and just enjoy the peaceful surrounds. However, before you go, there is something special to see a short way down Greenlee Trail.
A pond!! Don’t laugh, finding ponds and lakes on the Front of the Rockies is tough. They are usually reservoirs and man-made smaller bodies of water which may only have water after spring snow melt. This unnamed, man-made pond offers us lovely, peaceful reflections before we head home.
Wait, wildlife!! Well, we are no longer in Yellowstone. A Colorado Chipmunk (Neotamias quadrivittatus) poses for us.
Aspen gold against red rocks, a lovely way to end our time together!
Until next time, stay safe and stay calm. This upcoming election soon will pass–the sooner the better. We’ll have more adventures together outside where MotherNature offers fresh air, peace and quiet, and beauty so needed in these crazy times! Ignore the screens, get out and find beauty and natural connections near you . . . peace my friend❣️
So much beauty you’ve shared here, my friend! Thank you so much!