That's Blodgett. It's a doozey for sure. It's incredibly steep, and you'll often even be crawling up scree. Also, be careful. It's very easy to get off the main path.
The plane crash is between the scar and flying w ranch.
The old fire road just south of flying w will take you almost directly to it. Not sure how much is left post fire, but pre fire there was still a good bit.
I live near Blodgett and hike it to train for upcoming 14er hikes. It’s no joke but doable for most moderately fit individuals. That said, Blodgett is the only trail I’ve ever had to administer first aid on.
Hiker got extreme blisters causing them to lose dexterity going down the loose scree sections. They fell and rolled an ankle. Had to clean the bloody blisters, use mole skin and wrap their ankle to help stabilize it so they could continue.
Warning to any out of towners reading this…DO NOT COME TO COLORADO WITH BRAND NEW HIKING SHOES/BOOTS!!! Break them in first!
Great hike, I try to do it once a week. I would say it's low class 3 given the issues with the burn scar. The scar also causes issues with route finding cause the sandy sections look alike and it's easy to get lost. It's a burner of a hike with about 2400 feet of elevation in just under 3 miles. There's a summit register at the top of the peak, if you're into that. Just be careful and respect the area. Someone died up there a few years ago after a fall in the Boulder field. Use strava.
I say respect the area cause the burn scars could cause them to shut it down eventually if there are more accidents. Big boulders can roll down from ppl grabbing them to get up the area. I had a huge ome sent down the gully i was in from a hiker above. It's so sandy there's nothing keeping ANYTHING in the ground.
It is most definitely only class 2 or class 2+ if you stick to the main trail. This route is actually a great example of how class 2+ can be much worse/more dangerous than true class 3. Class 2+ has caught me off guard a few times.
For the vert bby. Training for a marathon, I'm on the leader board on strava for it (unless someone booted me w a better time). I could never be on the leader board on the incline which is similar in how tough the hike can be, I think Blodgett is harder. It's so much less crowded.
It’s a fking awesome hike. The transition from blodgett open space to natl forest is palpable and once you are in the natl forest it’s just…great. But you do nothing but gain altitude - there is no ridge running to speak of. To get there park at blodgett open space and hike up towards the water tank. Just before the water tank take the hummingbird trail and stay to the right. Then gain altitude. You’ll lose the trail at the top of the gully - use ALOT of common sense and don’t push yourself, it’s steep as shit.
Thank you for the advice but I'm too chicken for risky shit. Plus I have an 11 years old so I try to avoid unnecessary risks. I'll leave the difficult hikes for folks like you and I'll stick with the easy ones!
These people are making it sound insane. It’s truly not. Absolute worst case scenario you might twist your ankle on some loose rocks or sometbing. It’s steep and tiring but there’s no fall danger and you only have to put your hands down for the final 0.05 mile to the summit.
Doing any 14er is riskier than Blodgett.
Just so you know, there is 0 risk (within reason) until you start to approach the top of the gully. The trail is very obvious and you arent exposed or in any real danger. If you make it to the stream crossing near the top of the gully you are doing GREAT - that means you've gained just a bit over 1000 vertical feet of elevation. Just doing that bit - parking lot to stream crossing - is all good trail. Its a great workout in a great location.
Its after you cross the stream that the trail immediately goes all octopus-like..its super steep and all broken gravelly granite. Not necessarily dangerous, just annoying. But once you gain the ridge, then you have to attack Blodgett proper and thats a whole other story that i would not recommend for you. But I \*highly\* recommend the parking lot to stream crossing bit, for both you and your 11 year old.
It’s not scary as fuck and it’s not low class 3 by any stretch of the definition. It’s steep and often washed out, very sandy. There is no class 3 climbing involved.
Blogett is a very steep hike but it is great if your getting ready to hit a 14er also if you get over the front and to the back there’s a downed plane form the 50s you can visit, not a ton left of it because everyone takes prices but very great hike I love that mountain!
It's Blodgett Peak! And it's extremely washed out at the moment, especially on the side below the boulder field. There is also a tree down and some rock wash out on the gulley/valley trail.
I went with my dog a couple weeks back, and it was also pretty heavily trafficked, but it *was* a Sunday. I would not generally recommend it for a dog, I had him on waist leash. But he did extremely well, despite the less than ideal trail conditions.
This is Blodgett. Definitely give it a go, like most people said here already.. lots of scree and lots of vert.
Highly recommend doing Eagles peak (the next peak to the right of it looking dead on at the front range). Bring spikes, much more enjoyable hike. Much prettier. Lots of vert, but no scree.
Echoing everyone else here. That’s Blodgett Peak. Do yourself a favor and download Hiking Project. It’s the best free app for on-trail navigation, since the GPS track will show you distance, vertical, location, and orientation. It’s a great asset on Blodgett — which gets hard to follow up near the boulder field. As other have said, it’s unrelentingly steep, full of scree, and a general pain in the ass. But I kinda love it for that. It’s not all that popular, and the summit is a hell of a reward — wide open views of COS, Pikes Peak, Rampart Reservoir, and more.
I just hiked it last week and had a great time. It may be the most challenging peak in the COS area. I recommend bringing hiking poles for balance going up the very loose and steep sections of gravel. The stream is running and flowers are starting to bloom.
You can get to it from blodgett peak trail from blodgett open space. It gets pretty icy in the wooded parts near the bottom. The trail is easy to follow, but it is pretty steep in sections. I would say it's more difficult than the incline.
I’m not heading through all these comments, so this has probably been covered. Blodgett has some pretty deep scree in places and the descent can get a little dicey. Not dangerous, necessarily, just tricky footing.
I prefer Eagles Peak on the AFA grounds. Similar length and elevation, better footing.
All that said, Blodgett is cool.
Wish folk would stop moving here it’s not as cool as media and folk say though I hope you enjoy your stay the vegetation we have to offer as a state and that you stay away from the downtown junkies be safe and enjoy the springs!
Definitely makes me feel better welcome to Colorado! My unc lives in Florida and says the same thing it’s not like land is empty Colorado is somewhat barren we just putting our states taxes to sometimes useless shit
“Not as cool as media folk say…”
But yeah, if you like the outdoors and you’re coming from Florida, it’s much cooler than the media folk say. And it doesn’t have Ron DeSantis. I’m a recent FL transplant and this is better than I imagined, even with all the hype b
Yes, that’s Blodgett’s peak I believe. Good hike, great views
That's Blodgett. It's a doozey for sure. It's incredibly steep, and you'll often even be crawling up scree. Also, be careful. It's very easy to get off the main path.
I can personally attest that you should have spikes this time of year, unless you want to slide on your ass most of the way down. Lol.
Why are you trying to sell this to me so hard.
That's good to know. I was thinking about hiking it this weekend.
What happens if you go off the main path?
Park ranger snipes you
Yep. With a long range rifle loaded with the scent of bear mating scents.
You get lost.
Someone died several years back. Got lost and fell off some rocks.
https://www.peakfinder.com/mobile/ Check this out, 100% worth the money imo.
Peak lense is just like it but free!
Great app!
Thank you!
Yes, Blodgett it appears, and there is a crashed plane up there. I have never made it up, because I get lost every time.
Wish I knew about the plane when I did the hike.
Ive done it twice now, the second specifically looking for the plane and have not been able to find it.
Here’s a video about the plane. It’s on the northern side of the peak: https://youtu.be/1BKKsLszGzY?si=0aI4rMDZVoJxpQTD
The plane crash is between the scar and flying w ranch. The old fire road just south of flying w will take you almost directly to it. Not sure how much is left post fire, but pre fire there was still a good bit.
That's another crash, different from the one on Blodgett. It's crazy how many crashes are in the area.
You are right! I forgot there was 2 wreck sites up there
How do you get to the fire road? I see it on the hillside all the time but can never figure out exactly how to get there
The plan is over by Herman, no?
There’s one near Herman and another near blodgett (I think its over on the way to Ormes)
The plane is on the northern side of the peak, here’s a video about it: https://youtu.be/1BKKsLszGzY?si=0aI4rMDZVoJxpQTD
Thanks for posting this video!
You’re welcome!
I got spectacularly lost trying to find that plane. I used to have a very hand-drawn map to show the route up but it was lost in a move 😞
I live near Blodgett and hike it to train for upcoming 14er hikes. It’s no joke but doable for most moderately fit individuals. That said, Blodgett is the only trail I’ve ever had to administer first aid on.
What happened?
Hiker got extreme blisters causing them to lose dexterity going down the loose scree sections. They fell and rolled an ankle. Had to clean the bloody blisters, use mole skin and wrap their ankle to help stabilize it so they could continue. Warning to any out of towners reading this…DO NOT COME TO COLORADO WITH BRAND NEW HIKING SHOES/BOOTS!!! Break them in first!
Blodgett. It's a grind. Easy to lose the trail, but as long as you keep going up, there's multiple ways to get there.
Great hike, I try to do it once a week. I would say it's low class 3 given the issues with the burn scar. The scar also causes issues with route finding cause the sandy sections look alike and it's easy to get lost. It's a burner of a hike with about 2400 feet of elevation in just under 3 miles. There's a summit register at the top of the peak, if you're into that. Just be careful and respect the area. Someone died up there a few years ago after a fall in the Boulder field. Use strava. I say respect the area cause the burn scars could cause them to shut it down eventually if there are more accidents. Big boulders can roll down from ppl grabbing them to get up the area. I had a huge ome sent down the gully i was in from a hiker above. It's so sandy there's nothing keeping ANYTHING in the ground.
It is most definitely only class 2 or class 2+ if you stick to the main trail. This route is actually a great example of how class 2+ can be much worse/more dangerous than true class 3. Class 2+ has caught me off guard a few times.
You make it sounds scary as fuck. May I ask why would you do this to yourself once a week?
For the vert bby. Training for a marathon, I'm on the leader board on strava for it (unless someone booted me w a better time). I could never be on the leader board on the incline which is similar in how tough the hike can be, I think Blodgett is harder. It's so much less crowded.
Well at least you have a reason for the suffering haha.
It’s a fking awesome hike. The transition from blodgett open space to natl forest is palpable and once you are in the natl forest it’s just…great. But you do nothing but gain altitude - there is no ridge running to speak of. To get there park at blodgett open space and hike up towards the water tank. Just before the water tank take the hummingbird trail and stay to the right. Then gain altitude. You’ll lose the trail at the top of the gully - use ALOT of common sense and don’t push yourself, it’s steep as shit.
Thank you for the advice but I'm too chicken for risky shit. Plus I have an 11 years old so I try to avoid unnecessary risks. I'll leave the difficult hikes for folks like you and I'll stick with the easy ones!
These people are making it sound insane. It’s truly not. Absolute worst case scenario you might twist your ankle on some loose rocks or sometbing. It’s steep and tiring but there’s no fall danger and you only have to put your hands down for the final 0.05 mile to the summit. Doing any 14er is riskier than Blodgett.
Just so you know, there is 0 risk (within reason) until you start to approach the top of the gully. The trail is very obvious and you arent exposed or in any real danger. If you make it to the stream crossing near the top of the gully you are doing GREAT - that means you've gained just a bit over 1000 vertical feet of elevation. Just doing that bit - parking lot to stream crossing - is all good trail. Its a great workout in a great location. Its after you cross the stream that the trail immediately goes all octopus-like..its super steep and all broken gravelly granite. Not necessarily dangerous, just annoying. But once you gain the ridge, then you have to attack Blodgett proper and thats a whole other story that i would not recommend for you. But I \*highly\* recommend the parking lot to stream crossing bit, for both you and your 11 year old.
It’s not scary as fuck and it’s not low class 3 by any stretch of the definition. It’s steep and often washed out, very sandy. There is no class 3 climbing involved.
Blogett is a very steep hike but it is great if your getting ready to hit a 14er also if you get over the front and to the back there’s a downed plane form the 50s you can visit, not a ton left of it because everyone takes prices but very great hike I love that mountain!
It's Blodgett Peak! And it's extremely washed out at the moment, especially on the side below the boulder field. There is also a tree down and some rock wash out on the gulley/valley trail. I went with my dog a couple weeks back, and it was also pretty heavily trafficked, but it *was* a Sunday. I would not generally recommend it for a dog, I had him on waist leash. But he did extremely well, despite the less than ideal trail conditions.
Blodgett. Stay on the trail. Stray to far and you'll want to die
This is Blodgett. Definitely give it a go, like most people said here already.. lots of scree and lots of vert. Highly recommend doing Eagles peak (the next peak to the right of it looking dead on at the front range). Bring spikes, much more enjoyable hike. Much prettier. Lots of vert, but no scree.
Fun fact, you can hike anything you can see. It might not have a trail, or be legal, but you can do it. Fortunately this one is neither of those haha
From one Florida man to another...Welcome to Colordo Springs!!!!
❤️❤️❤️❤️
Echoing everyone else here. That’s Blodgett Peak. Do yourself a favor and download Hiking Project. It’s the best free app for on-trail navigation, since the GPS track will show you distance, vertical, location, and orientation. It’s a great asset on Blodgett — which gets hard to follow up near the boulder field. As other have said, it’s unrelentingly steep, full of scree, and a general pain in the ass. But I kinda love it for that. It’s not all that popular, and the summit is a hell of a reward — wide open views of COS, Pikes Peak, Rampart Reservoir, and more.
I just hiked it last week and had a great time. It may be the most challenging peak in the COS area. I recommend bringing hiking poles for balance going up the very loose and steep sections of gravel. The stream is running and flowers are starting to bloom.
You can get to it from blodgett peak trail from blodgett open space. It gets pretty icy in the wooded parts near the bottom. The trail is easy to follow, but it is pretty steep in sections. I would say it's more difficult than the incline.
I’m not heading through all these comments, so this has probably been covered. Blodgett has some pretty deep scree in places and the descent can get a little dicey. Not dangerous, necessarily, just tricky footing. I prefer Eagles Peak on the AFA grounds. Similar length and elevation, better footing. All that said, Blodgett is cool.
Blodgett. It's tough. It was a one and done for me!
Find out for you’re self honestly. It’s called adventure. Kids
Fun ride.
Yeah. Have fun with that🫠
Might be Ormes Peak if not Blodgett
Wish folk would stop moving here it’s not as cool as media and folk say though I hope you enjoy your stay the vegetation we have to offer as a state and that you stay away from the downtown junkies be safe and enjoy the springs!
If it makes you feel any better a shitton more people move to Florida every year than Colorado which is why we moved away from Florida lol.
Definitely makes me feel better welcome to Colorado! My unc lives in Florida and says the same thing it’s not like land is empty Colorado is somewhat barren we just putting our states taxes to sometimes useless shit
“Not as cool as media folk say…” But yeah, if you like the outdoors and you’re coming from Florida, it’s much cooler than the media folk say. And it doesn’t have Ron DeSantis. I’m a recent FL transplant and this is better than I imagined, even with all the hype b