Route: Everyone will start out on the same trail. From the lot, head down the main Castle Trail. Just a short way down, take the first right onto Parmalee Trail. We'll stay together until there. The trail drops steeply for a bit, the loops around overlooking hwy 285. The trail continues for 2mi to "KEY" junction with Meadow, Tower and Old Ute trails. Here, the the routes will split.

Short1: From the KEY junction, go left onto the Meadow trail. Follow it to the Castle Trail. Go left on the Castle trail to the finish.

Short2: From the KEY junction, go right onto the Meadow trail. Shortly thereafter, take the next left, also Meadow, to the Castle trail. Go left, up the hill, and follow Castle back to the finish. This is about 1/3 mile longer than Short1.

Intermediate1: From the KEY junction, go right, and stay right at the next junction, onto Old Ute. Follow it up and down towards Devils Elbow. The trails split and come back together twice. We generally stay right in both directions. After returning down Old Ute, stay straight on Meadow to the Castle trail. Go left on the Castle trail to the finish.

Intermediate2: Follow Intermediate1 to Devils Elbow and back. After returning down Old Ute, go right on Meadow, then follow Short2 to the finish.

Long: Follow the intermediate routes around Devils Elbow  and back. After returning down Old Ute, stay straight on Meadow. Just past the KEY junction, bear left onto the Tower trail. Follow it over the ridge, and back to the Meadow trail. There, take a sharp right, downhill, and return back to the KEY junction. Go left onto the Meadow Trail, and follow Short2 to the finish.

Extra Long: After finishing the Devil's loop, return to the KEY junction. Go left back onto the Parmalee trail, and reverse the route back to the start.

http://jeffco.us/openspace/openspace_T56_R16.htm

See also Lower Area Info