Pancake Rocks ia a hike to remember when reaching your final destination. Locals cook pancakes when reaching the Rocks, a popular trail and not to be missed!
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The trailhead is also the trailhead for Ring the Peak and for Horsethief Falls Hike.
We started on a steady uphill climb for about .8 miles. It’s a pretty heart pumping hike to this point through an abundant forest offering loads of shade.
Notice old barbed wire fencing among the trees from the days of the wild west. This is where horses that were stolen from ranches and the miners were hidden. Hence: Horsetheif Falls.
Horsetheif Falls is an easy flat ½ mile straight ahead at this point and is worth a peek. A small waterfall and a couple log teepees about for a relaxing atmosphere. (nice hike for visitors and children).
When reaching the junction for the different trails, veer to the right for Pancake Rocks. You’re now on Trail #704A.
Here we go, it was uphill and without much stepping or switchbacks making it a harder climb for about a mile and ½.
I was getting discouraged, no views, just an endless uphill of trees. It was a false alarm though because when the trail leveled off and became a gentle up and down path…
The views and rock formations that opened up around us captured our attention.
I was starting to wonder if “Pancake Rocks” really exist. Seemed like an endless trail! Upon reaching a grove of baby Aspens just starting to turn their golden colors is when suddenly, here we are!
They really do look like Pancakes!
Rocks stacked upon rocks. Looking one way, views of the west side of Pikes Peak as a backdrop.
Looking straight ahead, views towards Cripple Creek and the Sangre De Cristo Range.
A trail you want to be prepared for with appropriate hiking gear. For a look at some of our favorite hiking gear, check out, “Hiking Essentials”
After much exploring and climbing up and around the rocks, we settled down for lunch (no, not pancakes!), then headed back down.
A hike not to miss near Pancake Rocks! The Crags Trail. One of Colorado Springs most popular hikes.
Several hikers we encountered on our way down asked if they were almost there. The feeling I had of “are we really going to find them” must be felt a lot. Keep going … they are there.
Don’t forget to add Horsetheif Falls on your way back.
LOCATED: From Colorado Springs, Go west on Hwy 24 to Divide, CO. Turn left onto Hwy 67 South. Travel 9.5 miles and just past the closed Little Ike Tunnel you’ll find a parking lot on your left.
TIDBITS:
Rated: Moderate to hard
Approx: 6 miles out and back
Highest Elevation: about 11,000 ft.
Open to Hiking, snowshoeing, biking and horses
Dog friendly
Pike National Forest
Closest Towns: Divide, Woodland Park
Trail #704 at first trailhead, Trail #704A for Pancake Rocks
No restrooms
A GENTILE REMINDER: Venturing off trails damages vegetation, leads to erosion and impacts wildlife.
I can’t stop without sharing our TOP hikes in Colorado that are a must do!
McCullough Gulch Trail in Summer, Breckenridge, CO
Blue Lakes Trail, Beyond Expectations, San Juan Mountains, Ridgway, CO
Ptarmigan Lake Trail is Pristine Colorado Hiking, Cottonwood Pass, CO
Snowshoeing Mayflower Gulch is Magical, Summit County, CO
Happy Trails!
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