Pets allowed
Allowed with Restrictions
Elevation Gain
4,202.00 ft (1,280.77 m)
Trail type
There-and-back
Distance
13.90 mi (22.37 km)
Please respect the outdoors by practicing Leave No Trace. Learn more about how to apply the principles of Leave No Trace on your next outdoor adventure here.

Mount Rosa is a mountain in Colorado's Front Range located near Colorado Springs. This peak can be accessed via multiple routes. One of the most common hiking routes is via Cheyenne Canyon. This hike is 13.9 miles long and gains 4,202 feet of elevation.

This hike starts from the Upper Gold Camp Parking Area. There are portable toilets available here. Begin hiking slightly uphill on Gold Camp Road. This trail is very wide and well-traveled. After 0.7 miles, you will come to a junction and turn left to stay on Gold Camp Road. Another 0.6 miles brings you to a second junction. Here, you will turn right onto St Mary's Falls Trail. This trail continues uphill through a coniferous forest.

Continue hiking on St Mary's Falls Trail for 1.4 miles. Here, you will start hiking up switchbacks. After 0.3 miles, you will come to a junction with a spur trail that leads to St Mary's Falls. This optional detour will lead you to a beautiful waterfall. Continue hiking uphill on St Mary's Falls Trail. Another 1.9 miles of hiking will bring you to another junction. Turn left onto Nelson's Trail #672.

Continue trekking uphill for 1.3 miles to reach a junction and turn left onto Mount Rosa Trail #673. Another 0.7 miles of hiking will bring you to the summit of Mount Rosa. From here, you will enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding landscape including Pikes Peak and Penrose-Rosemont Reservoir. After you have taken ample time to rest and enjoy the views, turn around and retrace your steps to return to the trailhead.

North Cheyenne Cañon Park is open 5am-9pm from November through April. It is open from 5am-10pm from May through October. There are no associated fees to hike here. Dogs are allowed on this trail, but they must be on a leash.


 

Logistics + Planning

Preferable season(s)

Spring
Summer
Fall

Congestion

Moderate

Parking Pass

None

Open Year-round

Yes

Pros

Mountain Views.

Cons

Road Noise.

Trailhead Elevation

7,520.00 ft (2,292.10 m)

Highest point

11,499.00 ft (3,504.90 m)

Features

Vault toilet
Big vistas

Typically multi-day

No

Permit required

No

Location

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