Reaching Stratton: From downtown I took Cimarron, which turns into 24, and then turned left onto 8th St. Then I went down a bit of a ways and turned left on Cheyenne Boulevard. (Note: Cheyenne Blvd. parallels with Cheyenne Road, which might end up confusing, but it doesn't look like too much trouble can come from picking one over the other, and usually there are signs warning you of this city planning oddity).
Off Cheyenne Blvd., there is a very clear trailhead area for Stratton Open Space. Big sign and lots of parking. *This is one of the trailheads for Stratton Open Space, with access to the Chamberlain Trail only. There is also another trailhead on Cresta Road. To get there, follow the same directions above, except turn right off Cheyenne Blvd. onto Cresta Road when you get to it. I have not gone that way yet -more details to follow. There are other trailheads as well, see map below.
Trails
Chamberlain Trail -this was the first trail I did in Stratton Open Space. It is the only trailhead available from the Stratton Open Space parking lot on Cheyenne Blvd. It goes uphill, sort of parallelling Cheyenne Blvd., on a narrow and pretty dirt trail, also good for bikers. It switchbacks up a hill, rising above the road. From the top, there is a view of a large watertower (you will pass this down at the bottom too), the Broadmoor, the Springs beyond it. Behind you are the pretty ridges of the foothills of Pikes Peak. The trail intersects with the Gold Camp Path, and then continues around the skirt of the Gold Camp Reservoir. Note, this might not be the prettiest route, as it directly borders a chain fence around the outside of the Reservoir. However, if you take this route you will come out on the other end of the Reservoir. Note that if you want to stay true to the Chamberlain Trail, you will see a little dirt trail heading uphill towards the left. We walked to the end of the path we were on however, and then took the road to the left. Either way you will end up coming out at an intersection of trails, including the Chutes trail, and will see the South Suburban Reservoir. When we were there, the Gold Camp Reservoir was closed, but the South Suburban Reservoir was open to dogs! There was a huge dog swimming party there and of course ours (I was with my sister) went for a dip. It was delightful and felt like a real discovery. A very pleasant trail!
We did not do the whole Chamberlain trail, which would be 2.3 miles one way according to the map posted in the parking lot. We turned around at the South Suburban Reservoir, as the sun was setting. We hiked a bit less than 2 miles, had set out around 5:30, and came back by 7. Gotta love the late day sun! It was an easy hike.
Trail lengths at Statton Open Space -all easy enough for an after work jaunt!
Stratton Open Space map
Beginning the Chamberlain trail off Cheyenne Blvd.
Beautiful little narrow trail winding up the hill parallel to Cheyenne Blvd.
View of the Broadmoor from the top of the hill
Some wildflowers...
View of Gold Camp Reservoir through the trees at the top of the hill on the Chamberlain trail
Chamberlain trail from the top where it meets South Suburban Reservoir
South Suburban Reservoir from Chamberlain Trail
Ha! Dogs only!
My sister escorting the dogs to their swimming hole
If Wiley goes swimming, any dog can go swimming!
Passing the Chutes trail on the way back down the Chamberlain
Back down where the Chamberlain Trail intersects with the Cold Camp Path
The ridges beyond the Chamberlain Trail
My sister pauses for a glamour shot
A wildflower I can't identify!