Catamount Open Space

Roots Rated describes the Catamount Ranch Recreation Area this way: Today, this open space’s tangle of Ponderosa and limber pine, aspen, Douglas fir and Engelmann spruce shade your way on the two main trails. The two marked trails – Elder-Fenn and Vayhinger – wind up and down, with occasional glimpses of Pikes Peak’s summit. The Elder-Fenn route is about five miles, and when the adjoining North Slope Recreation Area is open, from May through September, you can link it with the North Slope's collection of reservoirs and trails, as well as with the Ring the Peak Trail and more than 100 miles of other trails in the Pike National Forest. A favorite day-long trip hooks in with the Limber Pine Trail and offers a long rewarding walk through open meadows and shaded forests on its way alongside North Catamount Creek.  

“This trail was not crowded at all, and incredibly lovely. I am adding it to my "fall hikes" list as all the aspens would be excellent in the fall. The views were great and the area had a number of different trail options.”

-ALLTRAILS

“Trail offered many wonderful views of the peak and wasn’t too steep or tricky. Plenty of room on the trail for our large dog who had an absolute blast but was very tired after. Directions routed us right to the parking lot (my phone which has sprint didn’t get service most the trail tho). It was half full but we only saw 2 other groups out there. No real summit but plenty of spots to enjoy the scenery. Overall great time!”

-ALLTRAILS