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Educational Activities: Colorado > Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument

Quick Facts

Caves Trail

Beginning Elevation:	8,400 Feet (2618.5 Meters)
Difficulty:	Moderate
Elevation Gain:	160 Feet (49.9 Meters)
Ending Elevation:	8,400 Feet (2618.5 Meters)
Length:	3.2 Miles (5.33 Kilometers)
Other Maps:	Trails Illustrated 137 Pikes Peak, Canon City
Usage:	Heavy in Summer
Vehicle Accessibility:	Passenger Vehicle

General Description

Meandering out past ponds and wetlands and returning up through the Ponderosa forest, this sunny trail meets the Monument's western boundary at a distinctive rock formation sometimes called "The Caves." Water birds and animal signs are common on this 3.2 mile trail, that begins at the Visitor Center and connects with the Hornbeck Wildlife Loop and the Sawmill Trail.

Directions from Florissant: Traveling west on Highway 24, you'll come to a junction with State Road 1 in Florissant. Turn left on to 1 and travel 2.5 miles to the road that leads to the Florissant National Monument Visitors Center.

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Recreation Opportunities

Activity		Remarks	On Site
	Cross-country Skiing	Caves Trail	Yes
	Biology	Caves Trail	Yes
	Hiking & Walking	Caves Trail	Yes
	Horseback Riding	Caves Trail	Yes

Related Activities

Hans Loop Trail - A 1.1 mile extension of the Sawmill Trail, this trail provides vistas of 14,110' Pikes Peak.

Hornbeck Wildlife Loop Trail - Hornbeck Wildlife Loop leaves the Visitor Center and splits from Cave Trail after .6 miles. After the split, Hornbeck Trail leads to the reconstructed Hornbeck Homestead and crosses the road to link with Shootin' Star Trail.

Petrified Forest Loop Trail - The Petrified Forest Loop is 1 mile long with no elevation gain. An informative pamphlet guides you through and around an ancient lake bed complete with several petrified tree stumps.

Sawmill Trail - Sawmill Trail is 2.2 miles long with a moderate level of difficulty. The terrain it travels through provides a good example of Colorado's Montane Life zone.

Shootin' Star Trail - Shootin' Star Trail is 1.4 miles long one way and gains 80' in elevation. This trail is rated moderate by the National Park Service.

Twin Rock Trail - Following a riparian, or stream habitat, this trail features a quiet view of rock formations, open meadows, aspen groves, willows and pond life.

Walk Through Time Trail - A pamphlet guides visitors around this .5 mile loop, which introduces the geologic history of the area.