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Cathedral Spires Summit
​Cathedral Spires Park

Date Hiked: February 17, 2019

Note:  This park is closed from March 1 through July 31st to protect raptor nesting. 

Distance:
Elevation Gain:
Elevation Min/Max:
Trailhead Lat/Long: 39º 24' 46" N; 105º 15' 16" W
Managing Agency: Jefferson County Open Space
​Fee: None

Cathedral Spires Park Website

DIRECTIONS:  From Highway 285, turn south on Foxton Road following signs to Reynolds Park.  Continue south on Foxton Road through Reynolds Park and down to the South Platte River Road.  Turn right (west) onto South Platte River Road and drive for about 2.5 miles to the parking lot and trailhead.  

Cathedral Spires Park is a thrilling collection of rock formations, cliffs, spires, and pinnacles.  The park is mainly focused on rock climbing and provides two official climbers access trails the "Sunshine Wall...Trail" and the "Cynical Pinnacle Trail."  However, hikers will also find this park thrilling by hiking these access trails or the two unofficial trails that can be found in the park.

The entire park is steep. Both climbers access trails require hiking steep slopes will loose rock and scree. That being said, this is a great park for winter hiking as the trail crosses south facing slopes that get plenty of sun to dry out the trails.  

From the Sunshine Wall trailhead, follow the main trail for about 1/4 of a mile to the trail sign for the Sunshine Wall... Trail.  However, rather than turning right, continue straight along the well established single track/narrow road trail.  This trail continues through the forest at a moderate grade and provides nice views of the Sunshine Wall.  From the maps it appears that this trail enters private property before re-entering the park. 

​If hiking this trail is not allowed there are no signs indicating such but be sure to stay on the established trail to respect private property.

After another 3/10th of a mile you'll reach an unsigned junction.  The narrow road makes a sharp left turn while a single track trail skirts up past a large boulder and starts heading up the gulch.  Continue straight up the gulch.  This trail gets considerably steeper as you hike and becomes less established but still easy to follow. The trail has great views of Bishop Rock to the west.

At the 1 mile mark the trail eases up, having taken you 950 ft in one mile.  

From Google Earth:  It's only about another 1/4 of a mile to the top of the saddle between Bishop Rock and Cathedral Spires, the ridge provides amazing views.  And about another .5 mile of steep climbing to the summit of the Cathedral Spires.  

Cathedral Spires from Chair Rocks

Photos from February 2019

Photos from August 2009

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