QUICK ESCAPE HIKE

— Chosen by Dave Ramsey

If you’re in the vicinity of downtown Colorado Springs, consider a visit to Red Rock Canyon, which is essentially a less crowded, less touristy version of Garden of the Gods. A hike along the non-demanding Mesa Trail to Quarry Pass offers a connection to the Greenlee Trail, which takes hikers through the center of the canyon. On certain days, when the crowds are somewhere else, this hike offers a rapid escape to solitude and quiet, even though downtown is only a couple miles away. To arrive at the canyon’s parking lot, take a turn south on Ridge Road, near 31st Street on Highway 24.