In 2014, Castle Rock opened an outdoor destination to accommodate the growing population between Colorado’s largest cities. Philip S. Miller Park would have something for everyone.
There would be Challenge Hill – the 200 vertical steps resembling a much smaller Manitou slope. There would be a turf field for sports and a state-of-the-art playground. There would be zip lines between the hills surrounding the 300-acre park. And on this land there would be trails for pure outdoor enthusiasts.
The network of approximately 8 miles is particularly popular with mountain bikers who have traced their favorite circuits. The network is a series of connected loops exploring the valleys and high points of the park.
The curls are named after colors: red, green, purple and gold. Gold seemed the most appealing during our last visit.
Parking near the Mill House Amphitheater and Event Center, a sidewalk extends in front of the event center pond. It meets two strands of the Gold Loop; we started by going right.
The trail climbs through oak trees low enough that one can overlook the park below. After about a half mile, you come to a four-way intersection with the Purple Loop; Gold continues left with views of Castle Rock’s namesake outcropping.
The next stretch is a quick, smooth ride for bikers, as the trail descends and winds beneath the hills on the edge of a neighborhood. The trail then rises to a flatter, more scenic stretch: views include the promontory called Devil’s Head and, on a clear day, Pikes Peak to the south and other 14,000-foot mountains to the west.
The path goes back down to the parking lot.
Travel diary: 2.1 miles round trip, 200 feet of elevation gain
To get there: Philip S. Miller Park is located at 1375 W. Plum Creek Parkway in Castle Rock. From Interstate 25, take exit 181 for Plum Creek Parkway and continue west to the park entrance. Continue through the park to the amphitheater parking lot.
FOR YOUR INFORMATION: Park open from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. Trails open to hikers and cyclists, dogs kept on a leash. Trails closed when muddy. Check the conditions on crgov.com/trailconditions. More information: crgov.com/2051/philip-s-miller-park
SETH BOSTER, THE GAZETTE