Round Trip Distance: 1.2 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation: 6854 - 7088 feet
Cellphone: 3-5 bars
Time: 3 hrs. 45 mins.
Trailhead: Seven Falls
Fee: $14/adult, $8/child (2-12 yrs.)
Attractions: Scenic overlook
The Inspiration Point trail is located in the Broadmoor Seven Falls Park in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The trail begins off of the Midnight Falls trail a short distance from the top of the Seven Falls stairway. From there the trail works its way up to the Helen Hunt Jackson Memorial and Inspiration Point. Enroute the trail passes several other overlooks.
To get to the spot where the Inspiration Point trail begins you will first have to hike the mile long Seven Falls trail and then conquer the stairway, with its 224 steps that climbs the cliff beside the falls. From there you will need to follow the Midnight Falls trail for about a tenth of a mile to the point in this photo.
The well maintained trail is easy enough to follow as it breaks away from the Midnight Falls trail.
Most of the path is smooth but there are a few rough spots where it crosses an occasional rocky outcrop.
A sign warns that during thunderstorms you should get back down below the falls and go shopping.
Several switchbacks are employed to ease the climb up the side of the mountain.
There is a shelter that comes up near the quarter mile point.
The trail levels off in places providing a respite to the uphill journey.
There are several overlooks that provide views in different directions of the canyons below. A couple of them are very exposed and will have you keeping small children close at hand.
The trail tops out at the Helen Hunt Jackson Memorial and then descends slightly as it continues another 30 or 40 yards out to the point.
With a pair of binoculars or a telephoto lens you can peer through the mouth of the canyon toward downtown Colorado Springs.
You might also be able to catch a glimpse of some thrill seekers perched on a platform atop a pole that are on one of the Broadmoor Soaring Adventures zipline tours.
