Direction: From Castle Rock, take I-25 south to the Larkspur Exit. Head south on Spruce Mountain Road for 6 miles to the trailhead on the right.

Spruce Mountain Open Space is a fantastic hike through spruce and evergreen trees to a rocky cliffside with wonderful views of the surrounding foothills, buttes, and Pike's Peak.  Situated east of the foothills in scenic Larkspur, Spruce Mountain provides great hiking for Denver, Castle Rock and CO Springs hikers.  Because of it's low elevation and eastern geography, Spruce Mountain offers winter hiking with less snow than most other evergreen forests.

From the east trailhead, off Spruce Mountain Road, head up to the 4 way trail intersection and the Eagle Pass Trailhead, turn left here and after .1 mi turn right for another .1 mile to Pine Junction.  At Pine Junction turn left and head up the trail to the first point of interest, the Greenland Overlook.  This overlook is the first view of the cliffs that you will follow for the first half of the hike, not to mention your first view of Pike's Peak in the distance.  Continue up the trail for another .5 miles to the Upper Loop Junction.  Follow the 2.6 mile loop in either direction to Windy Point but the best views are on the Upper Loop, which is to the left.  The Upper Loop Trail follows the ridge with numerous viewpoints and a picnic area.  The best views are from Windy Point which marks the furthest point west on the loop.  The Spruce Mountain Trail meanders through the forest.  I prefer to start on the Upper Loop as you can take your time admiring the views and then speed things up along the Spruce Mountain Trail as you head back to the parking area and trailhead.