Green Mountain Falls

Going Up

There are different types of people that travel. Nomads wander, tourists want to be entertained and explorers are following the paths of people before them. 

We may not be able to sightsee, but we hiked some of the new trails in the canyon.

Green Mountain Falls is a small funky town just off Hwy 24 before Woodland Park. We would stop at the Mucky Duck for dinner or the Pantry for breakfast when they were open for sit down. For now we just enjoyed the out doors.

We took an early morning walk so scope out the steep hike we had planned for the next day. Walking along the creek and through the neighborhoods felt like a fairy tale place. Many of  the summer cabins t have been handed down through the families over the years from Texas and Kansas.

The American Discovery Trail

The Ute Pass Trail in Green Mountain Falls is part of the American Discovery Trail which is a national
trail — part city, part small town, part forest, part mountains, part desert — all in one trail. Its 6,800+ miles stretch from Cape Henlopen State Park, Delaware, to Pt. Reyes National Seashore, California. 

The population in Colorado Springs population has exploded, making driving in the traffic and construction more than we wanted to deal with. We passed up a couple of hikes out of Gold Camp Road.

Castle Rock Trail

It is also home to many lesser-known hiking trails, including the H.B. Wallace Reserve. Nearly all of the trails in this area climb up the steep canyon walls that line Ute Pass with a lot of elevation gain to great views in just a few miles. I was moving slow just getting to the trailhead.

The dirt parking area is located at Ute Pass Ave and Mountain Road. Walk up Mountain Rd a few hundred yards until you see the sign for the Reserve on the right Just beyond the gate, there is a trail map and information. You can hike straight up the orange-signed steep Castle Rock trail to get to the top quickly, or you can branch off to either side on Elk Root or Peyote Pass trails. 

We passed up Elkroot for the Fat Man's Squeeze trail.  These trails ascend more gradually and add some mileage to the ascent. 

 I had hiked it five years ago with a hiking group out of Colorado Springs and wanted to show Mike what he had missed. We avoided the crowds, we actually didn't see one person on the trails of the H.B. Wallace Reserve.

 We wouldn't have returned to this part of Colorado for long if it hadn't been for the crazy situation. We had explored much the area while living there but were glad to be here for a while until Chaffee County opened from the lockdown.
 

The upper portion of the trail gets even steeper with  many tight switchbacks as we made our way up past the towering Castle Rock. The trail ends at the top of the rock with a great vantage point of Ute Pass.

Top of the hill. We made it!

Our destination

The Thomas Trail

.From downtown Green Mountain Falls, we walked west up Hondo Avenue to Catamount Creek Falls at the end of the road. The few people we did meet up with stepped aside or across the road as we passed.

From the gate at the top of the street, it is an easy walk to the falls on a gravel road. Much of the trail above is strewn with rocks, and there are areas of crumbly granite near fairly steep drop offs. At the side of the falls you will see signs for the Catamount Trail. After a short but steep climb
up rocks and tree roots alongside the falls, we came to a junction with yellow painted dots marking the Felton Thomas Trail and blue dots for the Catamount Trail. We followed the yellow metal dots posted about 8-10 feet up on trail-side trees.

The Felton Thomas trail winds up and down, over rocks and under branches, and ends at a waterfall that is at its peak in late spring.  

We walked up to the first falls on days we didn't want to climb through the rocks or drive to find other trails. We would get lost in our thoughts while listening to the wind in the trees and the sound of the falls. After the rain, the sunshine would make the trees smell so good as the breeze blew through them. 

Second falls

Crossing the creek below another set of falls.

We feel lucky to have had invitations from friends to get together even at a distance or on a hike. But for now we are keeping our distance. Recently, pre covid, we had spent an evening with friends. The next day, he started feeling not so well. Several days later, we got very sick. I guess we caught him during the incubation period. That was enough to make us be more cautious during this outbreak. Hopefully soon, we will be able to take them up  on their invitations.

Being nomads during this time can be precarious. If we should get the virus, we aren't sure how we would deal with our situation. Packing up and moving is a physical exercise, especially if you are sick and having trouble breathing. We would not be welcomed in our next campground if we were ill.  We are only in a site for a limited time before we have to move for the next people. If we both ended up in the hospital emergently, I don't know how we would deal with our trailer and truck. 

With all of that, we are still glad for our nomadic lifestyle. 

We got an email that the RV parks would open earlier than expected to people staying at least 30 days. We changed our plans and made the move. Now, we are set for the next three months, which is a long time for us. We were supposed to be volunteering in South Carolina and Virginia this summer so we could spend more time with Mike's family. I am glad we got to see them before the distancing began. Unfortunately, Mike's daughter, Amanda has had her cancer progress to stage 4. Our hearts are broken. She is cherishing everyday with her children and husband.

Snow on Pikes Peak as we were leaving Woodland Park. 

The Collegiate Peaks from Wilkerson Pass.

We will be exploring and being a tourist over the next few months.  But I don't see a 14er in my future.

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 .

Brrrr!

A Cold Colorado Visit

Sometimes we have to be adults and take care of business which is why we are in Colorado during a snow storm. Sure we could have been sensible and picked another week but...

A day early departure from Grand Junction was in order since a snow storm and strong winds were blowing in.

We had considered becoming residents of South Dakota to avoid state income taxes and lower registration on our vehicles. But the higher cost of insurance off set any savings since our Colorado income tax credit on retired people makes a difference. Avoiding jury duty would  be a benefit in South Dakota but we are ok with doing our civic duty, maybe it would have been better on a less winter like week. Next time we will avoid October thru April if possible.

We closed on a property while in Colorado  Now we can move on with our travels with less worry and encumbrance.

Two dangerous jobs combined. Two people being lowered from a helicopter to work on powerlines on the steep slopes Glenwood Canyon.

We made it over Vail Pass and the dreaded Eisenhower Tunnel before the next storm. You can tell when we have crossed into Colorado. Potholes.

We stayed at Chatfield State Park and were able to get a bike ride in once the roads were cleared while Tyler and Kyle were in school.

The sunshine and arctic clothes made for a nice ride after storm #1. There is a theme here.

A stop for ice cream with Tyler and Kyle is in order when we make it to Colorado.

Tyler and his baseball bobblehead for Halloween.

Kyle's almost finished baseball card costume. We left it on the floor so everything wouldn't fall off.

We braved the congested I 25 corridor south without incident. I don't miss that drive reminiscent of my San Francisco commute years ago.

 Colorado Springs has many hiking options near the RV park but the Garden of the Gods is a favorite for us. A peaceful walk through the gardens takes me back to visits with my great grandmother who lived in Old Colorado City more than a few years ago when I was a child. Then came snow storm #2.

Garden of the Gods Park is a registered National Natural Landmark with dramatic views, 300' towering sandstone rock formations against a backdrop of snow-capped Pikes Peak.

The park’s famous red rocks formed millions of years ago due to upheavals in the earth’s surface and erosion. The rocks are conglomerates of red, pink, and white sandstones and limestone. 

Donated to the city by the founder of Colorado Springs, General Palmer, and his friend in the late 1800s, now totals 1,367 acres. It still is free and will always be “Kept forever free to the world.” 

We didn't expected to see many people on our walks. But the tourists who came to see the red rocks weren't letting a cold front hold them back.

 Storm 3#  brought in frigid weather with lows of 5F which gave the furnace a run for our money.

We took another walk to see the Balanced Rock which looked so much larger when I was a young girl visiting the GOG. I wonder what happened to the picture of my sisters and me sitting under the rock.

Fortunately, we made it out of Colorado before the "Big Beautiful Wall" was started and have moved on to New Mexico and less potholes and traffic.