PIKES PEAK, COLORADO on "TRAVEL TUESDAY"...

I always said I was going to do it one of these days...I went and climbed that "Fourteener" (the term for a mountain that rises more than 14,000 feet above sea level - Colorado has 54 of them).  I climbed it in the comfort of the passenger seat of a car, up 14,110 feet into the air; easing around hairpin turns on a road no wider than two passing cars; drop offs straight down the side; and in CLOUDS (not fog) thick as proverbial pea soup.  Yes, we drove it, but I'm still counting it.  

High above the cities of Colorado and Manitou Springs, it's where the legendary PIKES PEAK INTERNATIONAL HILL CLIMB automobile and motorcycle race takes place every year.  A "Race to the Clouds", indeed.  To and THROUGH the clouds.  Through the clouds AND the snow, this past week!  Though they race from closer to the bottom of the Pike National Forest area (there's also an annual marathon and a bike race), the "hairy" stuff starts around the 11,440 foot mark, at the Glen Cove Inn - a great place to stretch your legs on the way up, and a required brake test stop on the way down, performed by Park Rangers.

Breathtaking scenery abounds at every turn.  You can find a few "wide" (JUST barely) spots here and there for photo ops - more on the downhill "side".

Cars disappeared 10 feet in front of us in spots, where the clouds were thickest on the road.  Countless hairpin curves on this drive - you just take it steady, slowing as needed in the clouds, and following the center line if nothing else (we had an excellent driver that day).  Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep grazed in a large area, almost hidden by the clouds.  We passed a guy that had better determination and stamina than we...walking his bike the last few hundred feet - kudos to him for achieving what I wouldn't even attempt!  

The summit provides PLENTY of panoramic vistas.  This was in the middle of July - you WILL want a jacket (it can be 30-40 degrees cooler than Colorado Springs below it).  The black speck in the rock photos (click on the grouping and click again to zoom) was a young man, sitting on the very edge of an out-cropping - it was a long way down, believe me.  I eased my way out to the memorial plaque, which tested MY nerves on the height thing MORE than enough.

"In recognition of the notable career of ZEBULON MONTGOMERY PIKE, soldier – explorer - The people of Colorado have placed this tablet on the summit of the great mountain first seen by Pike, November 15, 1806..."

We were told at the bottom, to be sure to have the donuts at the top.  "World Famous", they said - "best donuts ever!", too.  "They" were right on both counts.  Deep fried right there in the coffee/souvenir shop on the summit - SERIOUSLY the best donut I think I have ever popped into my mouth.  You notice no frosting?  They didn't need it.  They had an unbelievable line of people waiting for these to be come out.

THE MANITOU AND PIKES PEAK RAILWAY is a cog railroad that operates year-round, from Manitou Springs to the summit, weather permitting.  Want to hike it?  There is the Barr Trail from the east (13 miles one-way, and an 8,000 ft. elevation gain, though only a Class 1 trail).  Another route approaches the summit from the west, at Crags Campground.

It's always amazing to me that you can actually see the curvature of the earth, the higher you get off the ground.  

The clouds were thinning and drifting by the time we started back down hill, affording us more jaw-dropping views.

A few more sheep were seen on these beautiful grassy Alpine areas, as well as the fat Rock Chuck (Ground Hog) that popped up to see what I was snapping.

For more info, visit PIKES-PEAK.COM (click the link here, plus any you may find in the body of this post, to be transported).  "On a clear day, you can see forevvvvvvvvvvvvver"...on a day with patchy clouds, you'll still be glad you "climbed" 'er!  Have the donuts!

COLORADO SPRINGS, PIKES PEAK, AND GARDEN of the GODS on "TRAVEL TUESDAY"

This March afforded me a trip back home just in time for a little snowy weather - something I haven't had the pleasure of enjoying (believe it or not, I DO miss the snow) except from afar, for the past 15 years, at least.  Not a lot of snow, but just enough to give this CO girl a "fix".  A blustery day, before it all blew into town, provided some beautiful skies around the area south of Denver, known as Colorado Springs.  If you're passing through this summer, there's a whole lot o' shakin' going on, worth checking out!

Probably most renowned, first and foremost, for the United States Air Force Academy (located 14 mi. north of downtown Colorado Springs) - THE ACADEMY is open to the public daily, from 8am - 6pm.  If you've never been, it's most definitely worth seeing - impressive and awe inspiring - and a big shout-out to Mackenzie, our friend and neighbor who JUST finished her finals and four grueling years, and has received her wings and is on her way to flying with the "big boys" in our Air Force - CONGRATS, Kenz! You ROCK, girl!

 

On this day, we travelled on past, and into the heart of The Springs, itself...lots of antique shopping and just "kickin' it" around town was on the agenda.  Keep your eyes open as you travel through - The Springs offers up plenty of old town charm while being the bustling, second most populous city in Colorado (Colorado Springs is located 65 miles south of Denver).

Nestled at the base of PIKES PEAK, one of Colorado's 54 "fourteeners" (mountains that rise more than 14,000 - Pikes Peak stands 14,115 feet, and rises 8,400 feet above the city), Colorado Springs boasts the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, as well as NORAD (North American Aerospace Defense Command), nestled in the side of the same mountain.  We made a stop that day at the PIKES PEAK RANGE RIDERS MEMORIAL - a WAY larger-than-life sized bronze sculpture, of which my dad proudly possesses the much more manageable sized artist's proof.  The Springs has a little something for everyone, outdoors or in, along with usually brilliant BLUE skies.

6 miles northwest of Colorado Springs, lies another "Springs"...this one, MANITOU.   From their own website:  "Manitou Springs offers its visitors a wealth of attractions—ducky shops, lively pubs and restaurants, picturesque old-timey architecture, oodles of well-groomed hiking trails, eye-popping scenery the equal of virtually anything in Colorado, magnificent weather, and crazy events, like Carnivale and the Fruitcake Toss, that give fun-loving Manitou its reputation for being one of a kind. Here, you get to meet true Manitoids! We know you'll enjoy your visit here."  Could not have said it better - DUCKY, it is  - charming, too!  If you get to Colorado Springs, DO travel up the road to Manitou.

Which leads you right through town and into Colorado's most popular FREE park, GARDEN OF THE GODS.  Hiking, mountain biking, rock climbing, and horseback riding amongst some of the most breathtaking red rock formations you'd ever hope to see - 300 towering feet of formations!

All within sight of the majestic Pikes Peak...over 15 miles of hiking trails, if you're so inclined - some paved for convenience, most natural...all breathtaking (take your water - remember, the area is a mile above sea level).

The beautiful GARDEN OF THE GODS VISITOR CENTER is located at the entrance to the park (there's a cafe, in case you've worked up an appetite - restrooms, and it's all handicapped accessible).  Plenty of parking turnouts throughout the park to accommodate those who want to strap on their hiking boots, or just wander about with a camera.  Again, both the Park and Visitor & Nature Center are free and open to the public - check the website for hours.

And, if you've built up an appetite, the big neon sign back in Colorado Springs, might just have what you want...open since 1935, so they must be doing something right.  Can't vouch for the food, as it was too early in the day to stop, but the large Navajo atop the building was WAY cool...even if it wasn't lit.  And now that I've got a fire lit under me, Travel Tuesday hits Buffalo Bills' Grave, atop Lookout mountain, next week!  Until then, safe and happy trails to you...