Tuesday, October 20, 2015

Hiking in The Garden of the Gods with Friends in Colorado

10/19/15 Sunday.  God had his coloring book out again!  It was such a gorgeous day with the dark blue skies and light clouds that just seemed to enhance all the colors in the Garden of the Gods.  We met up with our friends, Ron and Yvonne, to visit the park and hike together.  The Garden of the Gods' red rock formations were created during a geological upheaval along a natural fault line millions of years ago.  In 1859, two surveyors who helped to set up Colorado City suggested that it would be a "capital place for the gods to assemble. We will call it the Garden of the Gods."

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In 1879, Perkins and a friend friend purchased 480 acres of land that included a portion of the present Garden of the Gods. Upon Perkins' death, his family gave the land to the City of Colorado Springs in 1909, with the provision that it would be a free public park.  Helen Jackson wrote of the park, "You wind among rocks of every conceivable and inconceivable shape and size... all bright red, all motionless and silent, with a strange look of having been just stopped and held back in the very climax of some supernatural catastrophe.

The park is a loop drive through the colorful rock formations with parking areas and pull-outs for hiking many of the trails.  The park is very popular and parking is at a premium.  Even by 10 AM that morning, people were driving around, and around, and around the parking lot for a long time just waiting for somebody to leave.  We managed to catch a vehicle pulling out at just the right time. 

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The first parking area is the most popular for the most popular trail.  It was warm and beautiful outside.  Perfect for hiking.  The trail winds through the colorful rock and is nicely paved.  The formations are huge and awesome in their towering height.    There are several natural arches among the formations.  The camera was clicking away at every turn.

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As the trail takes you in and out among the rocks, you get some nice views of Pike’s Peak in the distance. 

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You also can see nice views of some of the colorful formations from the trail.  

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At a higher point off the main trail, is a dirt and timber stairway to even more distant views.  Lots of folks climb even further out over the rocks for more panoramic views but I went as far as was comfortable for me.  I try to push my fear of heights sometimes, but a least I give it a good try. 

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Time to head back and continue our loop drive.  Yep, just about everyone on the trail wants their picture taken at this formation. 

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The 2nd most popular stop is Balancing Rock further along the loop up, over, and down through the rock.  The area is also popular for horse back riding and groups can be arranged at the visitor’s center.  I need to do that!  Jeep tours can also be arranged.  Sure makes you wonder how this huge rock got where it is and what keeps it there!  The sky and clouds behind the rock make it look even more awesome.

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After our visit to the park, we finished off the afternoon with our friends with good food and conversation at a Mexican restaurant neither of us had tried before.  What a pleasant day!  We sure are going to miss our friends this winter.  They have been so nice and gracious to us.  They will be in Tucson, AZ, and we will be 2 1/2 hours North in Surprise, AZ.  We will certainly arrange to meet over the winter season.  They will catch up with us for a few days in Albuquerque, NM, as they make their way South to AZ.  Even with the truck problem, we have had a great time here in Colorado Springs, but we are ready to be on the road again to the next adventure!

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