Mays Peak Lollipop

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · Wildflowers · Wildlife

This is a great little peak if you are short on time or just want some good views without getting too winded. The trail was very quiet on a weekend in June; only saw a couple mountain bikers.

Starting at the parking lot where Gold Camp Rd meets High Drive, you'll keep to the right of the parking lot and hike High Drive up to the point where several singletrack trails converge at the High Drive sign (about 1 mile in).

I did the loop portion of the trail clockwise, so keeping straight you'll just slightly veer to the right of High Drive onto singletrack trail. High Drive will drop away at your left and you'll be in some nicely shaded Ponderosa pine forest. Just before 1.5 miles into the hike, you'll take a right turn at an unassuming area of the trail to head up to Mays Peak. I suggest peeking at the map around this time; when first doing this route I missed the turn.

From this point the trail is easy to follow. The next point in which you'll want to have your map out is to turn onto the spur up to the peak. There are a few criss-crossing paths in this area, but head steeply uphill and you'll know you're going the right way. After a short, steep incline you'll reach the peak which is flat and wide. Take a break and enjoy the views of southern Colorado Springs and the mountains behind you before you head back down to that criss-crossing area to take the trail to the right and finish the loop.

On the way down there are a few other trails that are tempting, but staying straight and sticking to the map will have you easily finding your way back to High Drive.

Wildflowers, small mammals, mule deer