The weather did indeed cooperate, and we met in the parking lot of the Red Rock Canyon trails at a little after 1 on Saturday afternoon. Being the excited first time hiker than I am, I arrived early and took some pictures around the trail head while I waited for Abby and William.
The east trail head canyon map.
There was a very interesting mountain bike practice park that you can see in the left background of this picture. Apparently it's meant for mountain bikers who want to test their skills. It's filled with curved inclines, teeter-totter logs that move as you ride over them, small posts to hop across on your tires, and near-to-vertical paths that you're somehow supposed to ride across, rather than up or down. 
The trail began as I had thought it would, just red clay paths wide enough to accommodate families, bikes, horses, runners, wagons, etc. I thought I was in for a lovely afternoon walk around a trail that looped for just under 2 miles before it rejoined the parking lot from the west. Well, now when I go hiking with Abby and William again, I'll know better.
The path did indeed start out just as it looked, and for a while we walked briskly around it, taking in the sights. Well, it was mostly me taking in the sights, I suppose, since Abby and William have lived in the Springs for about 3 years now, and they're no longer at tourist status.
Beautiful flowering trees decorated the bright red path as we made our way along the trail, talking and joking. The air was fragrant and the sun was very warm when it wasn't behind a passing cloud. We walked for about a quarter mile when we came upon this quarry that was used in the 1900's. Hasn't been used in almost 100 years, but it has certainly left it's mark on the land, as you can see. Here, we veered off the main path to follow a smaller trail up and into the quarried cliffs.
In the background of this picture you can see the main trail that we left, and this is the smaller trail up the side of the cliffs that started us on our adventure! Up the side of the quarry walls, we saw a man made stairway carved into the cliff side. There was another, which I don't have a picture of, that was much much MUCH further up the rocks and on a different peak all together. Of course we saw it and I jokingly suggested we get to them and climb to the summit of that rock formation. To my surprise and slight nervousness, William and Abby said sure, they thought we could find it. It was at that exact moment that I began to wonder what I had gotten into, but I was still excited. Abby is, after all, almost 5 months pregnant, so I figured whatever path we took wouldn't be too dangerous. The views were beautiful and there was still an easily negotiable trail beneath my feet, so onward I went.
Abby, in front of the carved staircase.
The quarried walls of Red Rock Canyon from the ground. Before the day was out, we'd see these walls from hundreds of feet above.
Once the smaller trail ended, we began picking our way up the rocks along the canyon wall. The higher we got, the better the view got, so I started taking some pictures. I thought we were almost as high as we'd probably get when I took this one. Luckily and happily, Abby and William were ready to show me some REAL Colorado hiking. There was no red clay dirt path to the second set of stairs we'd seen earlier. To get to those, we'd have to climb up the canyon wall. Climb in small pieces, I mean. It's not like I scaled a sheer cliff side, so don't worry. :) We climbed up and over some 7 and 8 foot rock walls; William with the ease of a seasoned rock climber, Abby with amazingly light feet and gracefulness for a pregnant woman, and me with clumsy steps, hail Mary hauls, and the help of a conveniently placed tree. Trees I know, trees I've climbed, and I trust them to hold me. Rocks crumble and make me nervous, but I made it up and over and was quite proud of myself. After congratulating me on my successful rock climb, William and Abby led the way further up the cliff side. The views up there were dramatically better, so I pulled out my blackberry whenever I thought my footing was good enough that I wouldn't need my hands.
To the east, a thunderstorm was brewing. We were climbing west, towards the sun and higher mountains, so the storm stayed behind us. 
The quarried walls from above this time! They look a little like Mayan ruins from this angle. From here we kept climbing up. Finding hand holds and foot holds, I hauled myself over cliff sides and up and around huge boulders. One thing I learned today: to be the rock climber I want to be, I have to be a lot stronger! This hiking trip was turning out to be exactly the challenge and adventure I came to Colorado for, but it only whet my appetite for more. Now I can't wait for the next hike, the next trail, the next mountain! But it was tiring, and my body was slowly becoming more aware of having less oxygen to feed my muscles.
The same quarried hills from even higher! Just after I took this picture, I realized that in order to effectively and safely hike, one should have hiking shoes, not Nike running shoes. We had to cross a pretty steep rock wall to get across the face of one of the rock formations and find our way down to join up with the trail again on the other side. I watched a bit nervously as Abby and William crossed it, but Abby told me not to worry, and to trust that my shoes would stick. Had my shoes been hiking approved apparel, perhaps they would have. As it was, I started to slide. I didn't panic, since panicking doesn't help any situation ever, but I tensed my legs and immediately scrambled for purchase with my hands. The rock wall we were crossing ended in a drop about five feet away and if I kept sliding I would end up over the edge pretty fast. Abby and William kept me calm and pointed out good places to step and hold as I made my way across the steep wall. After I was safely across, I put new hiking shoes at the top of my shopping list.We did indeed find those second set of stairs, only it started about halfway up the cliff side, too high to reach. So we just congratulated ourselves for reaching our destination, and started back down the other side of the canyon.
We came across a scenic overlook on our way back down, and William volunteered to take a picture of Abby and I out on a boulder. Notice the look of fear on Abby's face as I totter out to the edge of the rock. :) 
I made it though! Notice again Abby's easy going stance on the edge of the rock, while I am not quite yet so comfortable, and therefore am clinging to the rock with my hand. :) I'll get there.
The storm in the east really started picking up as we made our way out to the back of the trail loop. We were now heading towards it, and could feel the wind from it and even see some lightening strikes in the distance. It was a trip to see the storm in front of you, but to feel the warm sun on your back. The trip down the canyon was uneventful, and we made it back to the parking lot just as drops of rain were falling on us. We went to a small cafe in downtown Manitou Springs afterwards and had delicious gyros and the best pita chips and hummus I've ever had. We finished the day with some Manitou Springs custard, and headed back home. All in all, a perfect hike, and a perfect day. I can't wait to hit the next trail.
Stay tuned!
Quite the adventure!!!!!!!
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