Stanley Canyon Trail   Just finished Stanley Canyon today, and man the first ''1 mile'' really is treacherous and relentless. Very steep, with loose gravel and slick granite ... and water on the rocks we were hiking on! None of the websites out there tell you about the 1500'+ elevation gain in < 1 mile -- comparable to the Incline, but with much less footing. Coming down is also a recipe for twisted ankles on the very rocky terrain ... the top flat part is a walk in the park, though.     All in all a great hike, with my calves still burning! Says Randalk We love this hike! It's also an adventure to go past the lake on the left and pick up the trail to Rampart Reservoir. This makes it about 10 miles round trip, but the Stanley to Rampart leg is an easy jaunt. Says Doug Knighton Keep your eyes open.  I've done the trail at least a dozen times, but my wife on her first and only trip found these mountain goats. Says Will 9/7/2007 Hiked the Stanley Canyon trail with a friend and enjoyed the trail very much up to the reservoir. About half way up there is a ''V'' in the trail and you need to stay to the left or straight ahead. The trail leading up   and to the right ends in scree and downed trees. It's a moderately strenuous trail up to the reservoir; but well worth it. Afterwards, we hiked up and past the reservoir and wanted to loop around and hit the lower Stanley trail but were unable to find the trailhead for it. We ended up blazing new ground and coming down Eagle Peak trail much to our surprise. Says Teri BIGGER SIZE PICTURE HERE BIGGER SIZE PICTURE HERE            Map Map Campgrounds Nearby List of Nearby Campgrounds Weather Local weather forecast These outdoors activities are available near Stanley Canyon Trail.   Camp Grounds Near Stanley Canyon Trail: Promontory Campground, El Paso County , 4 miles away Lone Duck Campground, Cascade , 6 miles away Cascade Colorado - Pike National Forest, Pueblo , 6 miles away Pikes Peak RV Park and Campgrounds, Manitou Springs , 7 miles away Springdale Campground, El Paso County , 7 miles away   Whitewater Near Stanley Canyon Trail: South Platte River, Jefferson/ Douglas County , 26 miles away, Class I-III - 12 miles long (Deckers to confluence with North Fork) South Platte River, Jefferson County , 26 miles away, Class IV - 5.8 miles long (Cheeseman Reservoir to Deckers) South Platte River, Jefferson/ Douglas County , 29 miles away, Class III-IV - 1 miles long (Confluence to Strontia Springs Reservoir)   Public Lands Near Stanley Canyon Trail: Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument, Florissant - CO , 24 miles away Mueller State Park, Colorado , 19 miles away Castlewood State Park, Colorado , 22 miles away Roxborough State Park, Colorado , 27 miles away   Hotels Near Stanley Canyon Trail: Fairfield Inn & Suites Colorado Springs North/Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs , 6 miles away Sundance Mountain Lodge, Monument , 6 miles away Rogers Inn The Pines, Monument , 6 miles away TownePlace Suites Colorado Springs, Colorado Springs , 6 miles away The Lodge at Garden of the Gods Club, Colorado Springs , 7 miles away   Lakes Near Stanley Canyon Trail Deadmans Lake, El Paso County , 2 miles away Monument Lake, El Paso County , 6 miles away North Catamount Reservoir, Teller County , 10 miles away Penrose-Rosemont Reservoir, Teller County , 14 miles away Penrose-Rosemont Reservoir, Teller County , 14 miles away