Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs, CO, was quite a popular attraction drawing huge crowds. It was difficult to catch the famous sites without people crawling over them. We decided today we would enter the park early - they open at 5:00 am. No, we were not that early but we did beat most of the visitors by arriving around 7:30.
Below is Balanced Rock with Joani in the picture for scale. Its weight was estimated at 700 tons. It perched atop a narrow neck of rock that looked suspiciously like concrete (it was a naturally occurring rock layer.) On the other side of the road, Steamboat Rock really reminded us of the bow of a ship.
Below is Balanced Rock with Joani in the picture for scale. Its weight was estimated at 700 tons. It perched atop a narrow neck of rock that looked suspiciously like concrete (it was a naturally occurring rock layer.) On the other side of the road, Steamboat Rock really reminded us of the bow of a ship.
It felt like we had the park to ourselves!
Giant Footprints was an interesting site. I'm not sure exactly how this reminded anyone of footprints but it was quite interesting to photograph as we hiked all around the strangely sculpted rock.
We parked at the main lot and hiked the Central Garden Trail. This level paved loop trail took us through the heart of the park and by the most popular formations. So many of the boulders appeared to be ready to fall - I guess they will sometime in the next few thousand years.
This outcropping on the side of South Gateway Rock was shaped like an elephant, at least in my imagination.
Below are the Cathedral Spires. The sounds of birds echoed throughout the park. With so many nooks for nesting where they were assured of safety, it was no wonder.
I spotted a red glowing eye in the formation below named The Three Graces (I believe). It was illuminated by the early morning sun reflected between layers of red rock.
The tectonic uplift and erosion have created a beautiful landscape that is spellbinding and not to be missed.
The Garden Of The Gods
Given To The City Of Colorado Springs In 1909 By The Children Of
Charles Elliott Perkins
In Fulfilment Of His Wish That It Be Kept Forever Free To The Public
An overlook on the street above the Visitor's Center gave us a great overall view of the park. It was recommended by one of the volunteers as a good place for sunrise viewing.
From the overlook, I captured this long-range view of the Kissing Camels on top of North Gateway Rock. I think it actually looked better from below on the Garden Trail.
As it happens, Garden of the Gods is on the way to many of the things on our must-see list during our stay in the area so we will be back again!
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