Quentil Trail

Yesterday we were going to Mo. to go to Tower Rock but had heard many stories about how long it took to get in and out so we opted to do something else.  Garden of the Gods and a couple others were discussed but after some research we decided on Quetil Trail in Alto Pass.  We're not ready to take on any tough trails and this was rated easy,
It was a perfect day for it so we headed down to Alto and hit the trail.  The first part of the trail runs along side some bluffs and some large boulders.  As we went down the bluffs and boulders disappeared and it was mainly trees with an up slope on one side and a down slope on the other,  The trail is really more a path but the further along we went the less well kept the path became.  After about 1.3 miles you reach a gate and turn around and go back.  There appeared to be several side paths that may be fire trails and a very step staircase carved in the rocks the goes up to one of the lookouts on the road above.
The most remarkable thing about the trail is that it seemed to go up both ways but the return trip is the incline.
After we left the trail we went to the Revlon for a beer and an appetizer.  We got fried pickles which probably was a mistake, they were just okay.  After a nice little stop we went for a drive n top of LaRue-Pine Hills.  It's such a nice drive and always has great scenery. 
(click on pictures to enlarge)