Near Mays Peak Lollipop
View of Helen Hunt Falls from Gold Camp Rd.
Near Mays Peak Lollipop
View of Mount Buckhorn from Penrose Trail (#665) aka Lower Captain Jack's Trail.
Near Mays Peak Lollipop
FSR 380 aka High Drive. Gravel roadway currently not open to motorized vehicles.
Near Mays Peak Lollipop
TH Penrose Trail (#665) aka Lower Captain Jack's Trail. Connection from High Drive.
Near Mays Peak Lollipop
Mays Peak

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Driving Directions
Hike Route

Mays Peak Lollipop

3.0 (2 Ratings)
A fairly easy lollipop loop to Mays Peak with 360 views.
3.5
mi
Distance
854
ft
Gain
moderate
Difficulty
BirdingViewsWildflowersWildlife

Route Details

Flatter
Steeper
3.5mi
Distance
854ft
Elevation Gain
854ft
Elevation Loss
50%
Max Grade
8,282ft
High Point
7,505ft
Low Point
Path Type
Loop
Description
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.

Route Conditions

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Contributors
Courtney M