We’ve had dirt under our boots at Forest Lakes (off Baptist Road, south of Monument) since 2023, building trail there with support from Classic Communities and the Forest Lakes Metro District. That work — and a state trails grant it helped make possible — is what’s now delivering the official connection to the forest that’s always been imagined: the 715 connector (official USFS name). For the first time in anyone’s memory in the Pikes Peak Ranger District, we have permission to build a new public trail on U.S. Forest Service land, and construction is officially underway.
Join us September 26 for Trail Love on the connector, followed by a reception at Routes Outfitter in Monument — food and drink with friends, celebrating National Public Lands Day together.
Where things stand
The U.S. Forest Service has approved the Categorical Exclusion for the project, and we are officially cleared to begin construction on the connector trail funded by our recent state trails grant. NEPA review and the associated public comment period are complete — this approval was the final step. After months of planning, this is the moment the project moves from paperwork to path.
How we’re building it
We’re starting at the bottom of the corridor, near the Forest Lakes 7 subdivision, and working our way up. The work is happening in two phases:
- Corridor clearing first — hand tools only, opening up the line of the trail through the trees and brush.
- Tread construction next — once a section is cleared, we’ll bring in the mini excavator, Big Pony, to shape the trail bed, with volunteers helping with swamping (clearing cut material out of the way) and hand-finishing the tread behind the machine.
Right now, we’re squarely in the corridor-clearing phase — hand tools, hand crews, and a lot of ground to cover before the excavator comes in.
What’s next
The goal for upcoming work days is to clear slash out of the corridor — about a mile and a half stretch — so that dirt and rock can be moved and shaped with Big Pony into the new multiuse, bike-friendly trail.
What that looks like on the ground: hiking along the corridor, grabbing armloads of branches, and stashing them off the trail. No experience required, and gloves will be provided. Long pants, closed toed shoes, and a large water bottle are strongly recommended.
It’s straightforward work, and it’s the work that makes everything after it possible. Watch for specific dates to be posted soon.
Where we’ll be working
We will be working uphill from the Forest Lakes Trail, on the FST Connector, over the ridge and down to the stream crossing on North Beaver Creek, where Trail 715 (Monument Trail) crosses the creek.
On timing
We’ll be working this fall and into the winter, weather allowing, and we’ll share a more specific timeline as more of the corridor is cleared.
Save the date: National Public Lands Day, September 26
Our next work day falls on National Public Lands Day, September 26 — a fitting day to keep clearing corridor for a trail that’s been imagined for years and is now, finally, becoming real.
When the work’s done, join us for a reception at Routes Outfitter in Monument — our friends there are hosting food and drink so we can celebrate National Public Lands Day together.
More work days are being planned for later this fall and into winter as well. Exact dates will be posted as they’re set, so keep an eye on our events page and social channels.
Join us
This connector has been years in the making, and now it’s underway. If you’ve been waiting for a reason to get out and put in some trail time, this is it. Watch for upcoming Trail Love Dig Dates, and come swing a tool with us as we clear the way for this trail.