Trail Between Chipita Park and Catamount Reservoir
This 5 mile section of the trail climbs steeply out of Chipita Park to Crow Gulch. From here you will
follow the Mt. Esther Trail to the northwest. In about a mile and 1/2 you will join the service road for
an electric power line. Watch for a large cairn marking
the point where the trail leaves the service road on
the right. This trail will bring you out at the foot of the dam for the Crystal Reservoir. Here
you will follow water department service roads. No private motor vehicles are allowed on these roads.
Watch for the signs as there are several roads in
this area. As you are climbing out of the drainage for the Crystal Reservoir you will pass turnoffs for several
gravel pits. Stay on the main road (under the power lines). Once you pass the gate at the top of the
road you will be walking on the exit road from the North Slope Recreation Area until you reach the
parking for Trailhead 3. Watch for traffic.
Motorized Vehicles: From the South Catamount Reservoir dam west you will be on a Water Dept. service
road. While it is closed to private motor vehicle traffic you should be prepared for Department vehicles.
Approximately 0.7 miles west on the service road you will join the exit road from the North Slope Recreation Area.
From here to the North Catamount Reservoir dam the road is open to all motor vehicles.
A side trip to the summit of Mount Esther affords the hiker some nice views of Crystal Reservoir and Pikes
Peak.
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