The Denver and Rio Grande RR tracks followed the old territorial road from north of Castle Rock to Palmer Lake and later on to Colorado City.  The trail system travels a portion of the original road.  In 1899, with the efforts of Senator Ammons of Douglas County, a bill appropriating $5000 for a bicycle path from Littleton to Palmer Lake and eventually to Colorado Springs and Pueblo was passed.  This path would follow this territorial road as it transverses to Palmer Lake.