By Christopher Kolomitz
On summer days, when Central Colorado is overrun with out-of-state tourists making questionable vehicular movements, a quick escape from town into the high country is sublime.
The Pass Creek Trail, west of Poncha Springs, is a fine place to stretch the legs, and on a recent summer weekend only one car was in the trailhead parking lot. The hike terminates after four miles at an elevation of 11,360 at Pass Creek Lake. If you are looking for an easy, short hike which is close to town and contains history, water, wildflowers and some classic Colorado scenery, this place is for you.