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Spanning 1,367 acres of terrain, ranging from scrub lands to high
tundra, the Garden of the Gods is an amazing place to visit, and if you're
feeling ambitious, makes for a great workout that is perfect for
maintaining a high level of fitness. Located at 6,500 feet above sea
level with 15 miles of trails to hike, jog, run and bike visitors
will definitely break a sweat traversing the park.
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April 7, 2016 - Pike's Peak, known as America's Mountain,
is visible through the natural window between the rock formations
known as the Twins in Colorado's Garden of the Gods. Spanning 1,367
acres of terrain ranging from scrub lands to high tundra, the garden
is one of the most heavily photographed sites in the Colorado
Springs area.(U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Amber Grimm)
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A complete list of the various trails, such as the Perkins
Central Garden trail, the Ridge trail and the Siamese Twins trail,
are available at the Visitor and Nature Center on the way into the
park. Some trails follow paved paths with gentle slopes rising
barely 30 feet in elevation, completely accessible to wheelchairs
and strollers, and ideal for families with small children. Others
can meander several miles around the park and up 250 feet over rocky
terrain. Whichever path chosen the scenery will be breathtaking, and
not just because of the elevation.
Traveling the paths offers
the chance to see famous rock formations like the Tower of Babel,
Gateway Rock, the Three Graces, Kissing Camels, the Sleeping Giant
and the Balanced Rock. There is even an amazing view of Pikes Peak
through a natural window between the Twins.
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April 7, 2016 - Pike's Peak looms over the red-orange monolithic
rock formations known throughout the U.S. as the Garden of the Gods.
Spanning 1,367 acres of terrain ranging from scrub lands to high
tundra, the garden is one of the most heavily photographed sites in the
Colorado Springs area .(U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Amber
Grimm)
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Opportunities also exist to climb some of these famous giants.
Organized trips with the Front Range Climbing Co. leave from the
Visitor and Nature Center every couple of hours. Participants must
have proper climbing equipment and fill out a
free registration form, prior to climbing in the park. A
complete list of all the technical rock climbing regulations and
guidelines of the park should be reviewed before the trip, and can
be found on the site.
For a more relaxed sightseeing
experience there are jeep, van and even Segway tours. Tours on
horseback are also available through the Academy riding stables and
offer a unique garden experience.
Be sure to keep an eye out for the local wildlife. Herds of bighorn
sheep, mule deer and elk roam the park along with squirrels, rabbits
and even some coyotes, bobcats and the occasional black bear. More
than 170 bird species call the park home and fly around nesting high
in the rock faces. In the summer months be mindful of the reptiles,
as bull snakes and rattlesnakes are known to lay out on the rocks in
the heat of the day.
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April 7, 2016 - The Three Graces, a triple spire sandstone
formation, glows red-orange in the noonday sun at the Garden of the
God . The Three Graces is just one of the many famous rock
formations visible as you travel the 15 miles of trails throughout
the park. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Amber
Grimm)
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Visitors can take advantage of the twice daily, free
guided nature walks, learning fascinating facts about the
regions wildflowers, rattlesnakes, gold-seekers and even
more Colorado-themed topics.
Regardless of how
visitors choose to experience the
Garden of the
Gods ... it is definitely a Colorado Springs must see. By U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Amber Grimm
Provided
through DVIDS
Copyright 2016
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