One of several nature preserves in Colorado managed by the Nature Conservancy, the Aiken Canyon Preserve is, quoting Conservancy literature, “one of the last high-quality examples of the southern Front Range foothills ecosystem.”
“The preserve is composed of a mosaic of habitat types, including shrublands, tallgrass prairie meadows, pinyon juniper woodlands and mixed coniferous woodlands.”
The preserve offers visitors an opportunity to walk along a well-maintained trail that passes through grassland and forested canyons bounded by scenic red-rock formations. Wildlife abounds here. The area is especially popular among birdwatchers, so bring along your binoculars to observe the more than 100 species of birds that have been identified in the preserve. There are information boards at the trailhead and at points along the trail.
Note that the preserve is open only on Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays.
Hike description
From the parking area, take the trail toward the visitor center, which seems to be open sporadically. Information signs mark the start of the trail, which initially heads east. Follow the trail as it winds its way through dry washes and across open grassland. After 0.7 mile, you will reach a signed trail junction. We followed the right branch as it curved around to the north side of a rock outcropping. At mile 1.6, there is another trail junction. For a shorter hike, take the left branch and complete the loop trail. To extend the hike into a pleasant side canyon with an old ruined cabin near its head, turn right and follow the trail as it trends northwest. The canyon eventually narrows as this rougher trail climbs up through pine forest, reaching the ruins of a cabin at mile 2.5. A scrappy trail continues up the canyon for another 0.1 mile where it ends, marked appropriately with a sign saying “End of Trail.”
According to Nadia Brelje, author of the excellent “Southern Front Range Trail Guide — Trails Within 50 Miles of Pueblo, Colorado,” there is a small waterfall just before the trail ends. On our visits to the canyon, this has been dry, though during the spring runoff I imagine it would be flowing nicely.
Return to the trail junction with the main loop at mile 3.6, turn right and continue around the loop as it first climbs on switchbacks to a small saddle, then starts dropping down toward a small drainage. The trail follows this wash southeast and reaches the start of the loop trail again at mile 4.5. Continue the last 0.6 miles back to the parking area.
On one of our visits to the canyon we were reminded of the fragility of this area when helicopters could be seen dropping water on fires in the Fort Carson military reserve across the highway. Take care!
Dave Cooper is the author of “Colorado Snow Climbs: A Guide for All Seasons.”
The details
Getting to the trailhead: The entrance to the Aiken Canyon Preserve is located off Colorado 115. To reach the preserve, take the South Academy Boulevard exit from Interstate 25 (Exit 135) in Colorado Springs and drive west for 1.9 miles to the intersection with Colorado 115. Follow Colorado 115 south for 11.9 miles. Turn right (north) on the Turkey Canyon Ranch Road. Drive through the gated entrance and look for the entrance to the Aiken Canyon Preserve parking area on the right, 0.1 miles from Colorado 115.
Hike statistics: With the extension to the loop described here, the trail gains a total of 980 feet in 5.2 miles round-trip.
Difficulty: An easy trail hike.
USGS Quads: Mount Big Chief, CO; Mount Pittsburg, CO (marginally)
