Garden of the Gods - Colorado Springs

This was an interesting city park with various red rock formations.  After having failed to spot a big horn sheep in RMNP and Thompson Canyon, we hit the jackpot here (probably in the city limits) when we spotted a herd on a slope above the park.


Florissant Fossil Beds NM

It was cloudy in the morning so that chilled my desire to go up Pikes Peak. We decided to go to Florissant Fossil Beds instead.  Part way to the Beds the weather cleared to the point that we could see the top of Pikes Peak.   We contined on to the Beds vowing to do Pikes Peak on the way back if the clouds stayed away and they did.

I sure didn't know that redwoods once grew in Colorado. But sure 'nuff, we saw petrified stumps of redwoods at the Beds.  There were several trails here - we took the redwoods trail.


Pikes Peak

We drove up the road instead of booking the Pikes Peak Cog Railway.  I would like to return someday to take the Cog Railway.

We spent the night in Pueblo.  The next day we went to Canon City then up the Arkansas River where we saw white water rafting - looked like fun.  We then circled back to Walsenberg using Hwy 69, stopped at Trinidad (was on Sante Fe Trail) then headed home.  Colorado has lots to offer.

So the count on this trip was:

   4 National Parks
   3 National Monuments, Historical, etc
   1 State Park (San Luis)
   1 Public Park (Garden of Gods)

 

Redwood stumps

Cog Railcar I want to ride in.

Lonesome George