Devils Playground Trail
In 2019, RMFI broke ground on the new Devils Playground Trail and will continue our efforts in the 2023 season. The Devils Playground Trail (also known as the Crags Trail) traverses approximately 7 miles and 4,300 feet starting from a trailhead located near the Crags Campground (Woodland Park, CO) and terminating at the summit of Pikes Peak, elevation 14,115 feet. The trail is located entirely on the USFS Pike National Forest. The trail is one of two primary hiking trails to the summit of Pikes Peak, known to be one of the most visited mountains in the world. The Devils Playground Trail offers a shorter, less crowded route as compared to Barr Trail, and provides hikers with stunning views of mountain ranges to the west.
In late 2018, the Pikes Peak Ranger District finished analysis that is required by the NEPA process. Botanical and archaeological surveys showed that the new trail would not have deleterious impacts to the ecology of the area, which paved the way for construction of a re-route of the Devils Playground Trail to begin in 2019. RMFI will work with youth corps crews, its own internal stewardship crew, and community volunteers to construct the new trail.
NATIVE LANDS
We recognize the following nations, whose traditional territories we work on in the Pike National Forest:
- Núu-agha-tʉvʉ-pʉ̱ (Ute)
- Cheyenne
WORK OBJECTIVES
- Continue construction of approximately 4-miles of the new Devils Playground Trail.
- Establish the trail corridor by felling trees, clearing debris, and cutting trail tread.
PROJECT PARTNERS AND FUNDERS
- Colorado Mountain Club - Pikes Peak Group
- Colorado Parks and Wildlife
- Friends of the Peak
- Gates Family Foundation
- Mile High Youth Corps
- National Forest Foundation
- U.S. Forest Service
- Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado
