Description

The singletrack in the Hogbacks area is easily accessible from the west side of Canon City, making these trails popular for local dog walkers, hikers, and trail runners looking to get a quick dose of nature. One of the most interesting things about this network is the radical diversity of the trails.

The lower Graneros trail is very flowy, mellow, non-technical, mostly-flat singletrack.

But as you climb up the ridge to access the higher trails, the singletrack quickly gets much rockier and more difficult. The main ascent to the ridge is filled with natural rock steps, rock gardens, rock slabs, and rock ledges.

In some places, you may need to use a hand or two to gain upward access.

While most hikers won't have too much of a problem with these trails, they do earn a FATMAP "Severe" technicality rating, although the truly "Severe" sections are fairly few and far between. Soon you'll reach the upper Dakota Ridge trail running along the hogback spine, which is an absolute must-do! However, note that some sections are exposed, rocky, and could cause some hikers a sense of vertigo.

There's nothing extremely technical here, but do expect to clamber up and over some sections of the rock spine and to climb and descend some natural rock steps.

Be sure to slow down and savor these surreal views! This route descends the Old Skyline Trail for a bit before, taking a right turn onto the rocky Stone Quarry trail to finish the descent.

If you've had enough of rocks and technical trails, it's best to skip Stone Quarry and descend Old Skyline back down to Graneros.

But if you're up for a few more beautiful views and cool rocks, follow Stone Quarry back down to Graneros instead.