I recently rambled out west to Colorado Springs, Colorado to visit my old stomping grounds and visit family and friends. I drove to the top of Pikes Peak, ducked into Santas Workshop and toured The Garden of the Gods, all of which were favorite rambles as I grew up in Woodand Park, just north of Pikes Peak. Today’s episode is a look at what you can expect when you ramble out to see these three sites on your own – which I highly recommend!
Here is a website with lots of information for your trip to Pikes Peak, Colorado Springs, Colorado.
If you want to drive up the Peak, here is the map to the Pikes Peak Tollgate.
On the show, I had an impromptu opportunity for an interesting interview with Prickly Pear, an Old West tour guide for Adventures Out West, a company that provides a number of ways to tour the Colorado Springs area. Check it out!
In the show, I mentioned my surprise that the elevation of Pikes Peak is now recorded as 14,115 feet above sea level. Growing up in Woodland Park, Colorado, in the northern foothills of Pikes Peak, we knew the elevation to be 14,110 feet above sea level. So, I went looking for an explanation. Here is that explanation, along with some other interesting stories about America’s Mountain: Pikes Peak Fun Facts.
The comparison of perspectives of Crystal Lake is an interesting way to show you the effect of elevation. From the top of Pikes Peak, at 14,115 feet above sea level, you are looking almost straight down on a blue crevice. Each thousand feet drop from there makes the lake more more flat, and what we are more used to seeing. Note that this is not about the relative size of the lake in each picture. Pay attention to the perspective. Then, the last photo looks back up at Pikes Peak from the shores of Crystal Lake. By the time I got back down to that level, the peak was obscure by clouds. So, I borrowed a picture from Ron Pate Photography, with Ron’s permission. It’s a great shot, and he has lots more pictures from his travels on his website, http://patespage.com/. I encourage you to look through his gallery.
Kids of all ages enjoy visiting Santa’s Workshop on the way up the mountain to the Pikes Peak Toll Road. They will thank you for taking time out from your touring opportunities to do something they will enjoy.
Garden of the Gods Trading Post
The Trading Post’s website does not identify private events, other than Motor Coach Tours. But, with my inside informants…I can tell you that if you contact them, they’ll make accommodations for your special event. Tell them that Rocky sent you!
As always, I encourage you to ramble out to see Pikes Peak, Santa’s Workshop, and the Garden of the Gods. And, make sure you are driving a safe, well-maintained vehicle when you do!
Defensive Driving Tip
When you’re driving in mountains, or any terrain with steep hills and lots of twists and turns, don’t let your speed get away from you. Use you transmission to save your brakes from getting hot. But, use your brakes to keep your transmission from getting too wrapped up. Above all else, take your time and give other drivers lots of extra room.
Until my next post, here’s wishing you…Safe Rambling!