Customer Reviews

Colorado Springs & Pikes Peak Trail Map 3rd Edition

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is a clear, easy-on-the-eyes map from Sky Terrain showing the region west of Colorado Springs at 1:75,000 scale, including Pikes Peak, Garden of the Gods, as far up as Monument to the north.

These maps always have maximum detail and ground-level information, and I always appreciate a cartographer who's obviously been there and seems to be itching to tell about it on his map.

As one reviewer complained, this map doesn't cover the paved trails and newer suburban developments to the East, but I think there must be other maps just for the city's concrete paths, which I haven't explored. I know there is a fine map of that sort for Boulder's bike path system, anyhow, so it's likely the local Springs government has one as well. This is a map for the signature areas in the mountains of Colorado Springs. Also included are trail descriptions and a cool little 3-D overview of the terrain.

I have used the Sky Terrain maps for about eight years and have found them to be a good all-around map to take hiking. My 2nd edition Colorado Springs and Pikes Peak map has been on many hikes. The map looks only slightly worn (fallen on it serval times), but in very good shape due to the map material used (has been wet many times). I have also used the Rocky Mtn Nat'l Park map (I hike there at least twice a year) and the Grand Canyon map (hiked to Phantom Canyon and beyond), and have been very satisfied with them all. The size of the map fits well in my backpacks and cargo pockets. Although not as detailed as larger scale maps, the 1:75000 scale works well for me. I use to carry topo maps from the Forest Service etc and found them to be bulky and damaged (paper) after a long difficult hike. I use the topos and the Sky Terrain for planning at home. As you might have guessed, I was a helicopter pilot in the Air Force and have used VFR Sectionals and many Texaco maps in the US. The Sky Terrain maps would have been useful in Southeast Asia (just kidding).

This map covers a huge amount of territory, including the massive Pike Peak and most of the city and Cripple Creek. It must show over a hundred trails and seemingly every switchback. The trails are rated with symbols: easy, moderate or difficult. On the back 67 trails are described with mileage, elevation gain, type of activity and more info. The main shaded relief map gives an instant impression of the region, and all the detail--contour lines, roads, 4wd, trails, trailheads, campground, streams and so on make it perfect for exploring the outdoors. I recommend it.

If you like to hike there are many hiking books available. This is not a book with details about the trails but a handy map to take with you hiking so you will really know where you are.

This is a pretty good map of the trails in the Colrado Springs area. I wish the trails had been a little better defined on the map - maybe a little larger scale with smaller section of the area.

how do you rate a map? It has roads and trails, mountains and creeks. It looks good, I use it a lot, and I like it. If you need a map, buy it.

If you're looking for a map with trails and hiking info, don't waste your money on this one. It has but a very broad, widespread layout, with very limited information about Pike's Peak. Very disappointing.

This is a 1:75,000 scale map of the Colorado Springs area west of I25, showing only a small part east of I25. I bought it thinking it would show me trails where I could walk. The scale is too small to do this in a helpful way. The reverse of the map has a partial list of trails; because it's a sheet publication it cannot describe all the trails in such a large area. There is an enlarged map of the Garden of the Gods park, but you can get a more useful one free at the Visitors' Center. I ended up getting another publication. This is a pretty map to hang on a wall, but the scale is too small to be useful for a hiker looking for a trail to suit his/her abilities and interests.

This map extends westward through Mueller State Park. It neglects the entire, and burgeoning, eastern half of the city, cutting off abruptly slightly east of Academy. It also neglects to include all of the Black Forest area, stopping as far east as Fox Run Park.

It's a nicely detailed map for the rest of the region but I found myself flipping the page in consternation wondering - "where's the rest of it?"