Back in Colorado

Red Rocks

We are in our old stomping grounds and revisiting some of our favorite outdoor places while in Ute Pass Canyon between Colorado Springs and Woodland Park. Not being above 2000 feet elevation in the past year, we started out with easy hikes to get used to the altitude of 7700 feet in Green Mountain Falls and it was just cold, 40 F on our starts. On our second night, our pipes started to freeze.

Arizona and Utah aren't the only states that boast rust-colored rocks. Colorado has them, too. Not far from downtown Colorado Springs near Manitou Springs is Red Rock Canyon. In the 1800s, the desert landscape was used to refine the ore that came from the gold mines in nearby Cripple Creek. During the 20th century, Red Rock Canyon was owned by the Bock family, who had plans to transform the land into a vacation haven, complete with a resort hotel and a golf course. In 2003, the city of Colorado Springs purchased the land and used its red cliffs to add miles of new hiking and biking trails.

I have written about this area in the past but the beauty never ceases to amaze me.

We walk by the Red Rocks stone quarry from the late 1800's as we climb into the park for a 4 mile hike.

We had arrived on Friday of Mother's Day weekend and the campground filled up with families by evening. Kids crowded the playground running and laughing. There were many families in tents using the public bathhouse. I mentioned to Mike that this place would be shut down if an outbreak was traced to it. We would hang out in our area and watch from afar hoping the kids all stay healthy.

Once the weekend crowd cleared out, I went to the campground office to make a change in our reservation. The owners seemed stressed even though the campground only had 4 RVs scattered. When I returned home and turned on the TV, the local news was reporting from outside the campground.

 The state parks were starting to open camping but the county was not approving this seasonal campground's opening. They were allowing private campgrounds in the city with permanent residents to be open for travelers. Lone Duck was finally allowed to remain open after arguing with officials that a few of us here had no place to go with the very few open camping available. Two of the RVs have state park volunteers that had to leave their posts and needed a place to live until allowed to return.  Fortunately, during all of the controversy the campground was pretty empty. So many people trying to keep their businesses going. They did close the playground.

We have backup plans and would be fine but are glad we get to stay after driving across the country.

The few hikers we did pass kept a good distance and most wore masks. Everyone seemed courteous and glad to be outdoors stepping aside for each other to pass.

Garden of the Gods 

Both Red Rocks and Garden of the Gods are below 7000 feet elevation, making it a good place to get used to the high dry climate.

I loved coming to this park as a young girl when we would visit my great grandmother and great aunt that lived in Old Colorado City

Garden of the Gods Park is a National Natural Landmark and city park with dramatic views, 300' towering sandstone rock formations against a backdrop of snow-capped Pikes Peak and brilliant blue skies. I never get tired of walking the trails surrounding and though the park. 

The Kissing Camels

Pikes Peak

Lovell Gulch

We moved to a higher elevation of 8600 feet for our next hike in Woodland Park, our former home. Lovell Gulch is a pleasant hike through the Pike National Forest in the northwest part of Woodland Park. After hiking for about 0.8 miles we reached the Loop sign. The easier way to hike the trail is in counterclockwise direction so turn right here through a nice meadow alongside a small creek reaching the top of the ridge after about 1.5 miles.  There are some great views of Pikes Peak to the south at times.

The fuzzy pasque flowers are always a sweet sign of spring in the mountains.

It would have been fun to see family and friends while here. We would feel horrible if we were to get or give the virus to anyone. So we will just keep our distance for now. 

I am still trying to get used to Blogger's changed format. I have all kinds of fonts on this post and am not about to start over. Call me lazy. I am ok with that since this is just for fun and memories.

 More of our hikes to come as we get used to the thin air. We have until June 1 to revisit so many beautiful places and not feel like we are cooped up .