COLORADO SPRINGS – The long wait is over for hikers who want to try out a new trail to the top of Cheyenne Mountain.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife has opened the Dixon Trail that’s rated as difficult to extreme in some areas with outstanding views.
Be ready for a rough hike, bring your own water, take out your own trash, and there’s no opportunity to camp or be picked up as this is a round trip only.
Here’s the rundown on this new adventure as described by Colorado Parks and Wildlife.
For now, hikers may encounter trail crews at any time. Hikers should avoid crews and stay uphill of any trail markings they encounter. All flags, stakes and ribbons should be left alone so trail crews can finish their work as quickly as possible.
Leaving from the Limekiln Trailhead parking lot, hikers will follow Talon Trail 3.3 miles through gentle foothills. From there, the 4.5-mile Dixon Trails begins. Hikers can expect a 2,500-foot elevation gain to the top. This is where the trail gets extremely challenging. Pinflags mark the trail through dense forest, over rock outcroppings and up steep switchbacks.
As you push toward the top, hikers will encounter an aspen grove in a large meadow and even the ruins of a 1957 plane crash.
From the mountain top, two more trails can be accessed. Mountain Loop, is a 1.4-mile, difficult trail that takes hikers through several aspen groves. Dragon’s Backbone is an .85-mile strenuous hike that offers a one-of-a-kind view of Colorado Springs.
Hikers need to go prepared to make the round-trip because there are no pick up points and camping is not allowed along the trail. Also, there are no water sources anywhere on trail.
Round trip for the entire trail system is 17-plus miles.
At this time the trail is recommended for hikers only. At this time, mountain bikers and equestrians are not allowed because they would encounter trail sections that are not yet suitable or safe to ride. Eventually, mountain bikers and equestrians will be able to access approximately 2.5 miles of the Dixon trail.
RELATED: It’s been more than 10 years, but the Dixon trail is nearly finished
