by Ruth Stodghill
TRINIDAD — Trinidad is rife with excellent trails – and one of the most outstanding is the South Shore Trail at Trinidad Lake State Park.
While the total trail length is 2.5 miles one way (or 5 miles out and back), one factor that makes this particular route so special is that it has multiple entry points, allowing users to adjust the actual length of the trail to be as long or short as their needs dictate.
The first entry point to the trail can be found on the south side of the beginning of the South Shore Campground road, just over half a mile past the southern entrance to the park. The second entry point is also on the south side of the South Shore Campground road, roughly half a mile to the west and just past the campground itself. This access point is very clearly marked, and even has a nice pull-out where users of the trail can park. The third entry point to the trail is through the Long’s Canyon Watchable Wildlife Area, where the South Shore Trail converges with the Long’s Canyon Trail, allowing users to add an additional .75 miles of trail one way. Thus, the South Shore Trail can be as short as a one-mile loop, to as long as a 6.5 total mile out-and-back course, and anything in-between. As an added bonus, the trail distance is marked every half mile, so users don’t have to guess how far they have gone when out for a hike.
The South Shore Trail is ideal for a number of various non-motorized uses: hiking, running, mountain biking, and even horseback riding. The trail is moderately difficult due to a few rocky sections and steep hills; however, the occasional climb, while challenging, is never overly long, and the majority of the trail is flat and straight. In terms of footwork, the majority of the trail is easy with a few moderately technical sections. This makes the trail perfect for folks looking for an easy stroll, as well as trail runners or mountain bikers who want to push themselves with some challenging hill work. Another plus of this trail is the fact that it is a two-track, allowing users to walk, run, or ride next to a partner or with a group and converse with ease.
One feature that makes the South Shore Trail a real jewel is its natural beauty. It is an ideal place to check out the park’s abundant varieties of wildflowers. Deer and elk also frequent this section of the park, so it is a terrific spot from which to view wildlife. From miles 1.5 to 2.5, users can look to the east and see the entire length of the lake from a rarely-seen vantage point, making for a unique experience. Also, the majority of the trail runs parallel to a train track used during the coal mining days of yore, and from several points along the trail old mining sites are still visible, adding to the nostalgic ambiance of the area.
Here’s an insider’s tip: be sure to check out this trail early in the morning or later in the evening. The colors painted in the sky and reflected in the lake at sunrise and sunset from the vantage point of the trail are spectacular, especially when looking east towards Fishers Peak. Also important to note: all Trinidad Lake State Park visitors must have a daily or annual park pass. Since Trinidad Lake State Park has a total of seven trails, it makes a lot of sense to purchase an annual Colorado State Parks Vehicle Pass, allowing one to utilize the park (or other parks in the state of Colorado) on multiple occasions all year long.
So whether you are looking for a relaxing spot for a short hike to unwind after a busy day, or a long course to put in some real miles during a trail run or bike ride, Trinidad Lake State Park’s South Shore Trail can be adapted to meet your needs.
Location: Trinidad Lake State Park’s South Shore Trail
Access Points – There are three options:
• Point 1 – Entrance to South Shore Campground road, south side
• Point 2 – 1.5 miles into South Shore Campground road, south side
• Point 3 – Junction with Long’s Shore Watchable Wildlife Area Trail
Trail length: 2.5 miles one way.
Types of accessibility: hiking, trail running, mountain biking, horseback riding
Difficulty level: Easy to moderate, with occasional hills and rocky sections
Must see attractions: Views of Trinidad Lake and historic coal mining sites
Helpful tips: Be sure to bring ample water, and follow wildlife safety tips
