GARDEN OF THE GODS IN COLORADO SPRINGS

 

On  a sunny Sunday, Sept. 8, we visited Garden of the Gods in Colorado  Springs. Neither of us had visited it in several years. It was well worth the repeat visit. A short  movie in the Visitor Center explained the complicated geology of the area. The up thrust rocks were sedimentary, laid down in a large inland sea, and pushed vertically when the current version (the third) of the Rocky Mountains were pushed up by tectonic plate action.

As a youngster I bought a View Master reel of color stereo images taken here. I wonder if I can find it again!

This view is from the Visitor Center balcony. Pikes Peak is in the background. The gift of the Garden of the Gods land by the private owner to the the City of Colorado Springs provided that no charge was to be made for entry into the park. The City has built and maintained the internal roads very well.  The City has income from the tourists by services provided in the Visitor Center and services and sales at a Trading Post (large gift shop and cafe)  in the park.

 

This and the next view are from the first parking lot encountered by the tourist. There are many developed hiking trails throughout the park. We did not try any.

 

 

This up thrust of grey rock is made from a different sedimentary layer than the red one.

The formations in the center aptly are named Cathedral Spires. In the background is Cheyenne Mountain in which the NORAD cave is  located.

Balanced Rock is a popular spot for taking pictures of those in your party. Jo easily climbed to this spot.  This area was not a part of the park many years ago and an enterprising photographer who owned the land charged tourists $0.25 for their picture taken next to the rock or seated on a burro he supplied.  

 

And I climbed to a little more accessible spot for my picture.

The Trading Post is the large gift store and cafe.

 

These views are enhanced by the clouds building in the bright blue sky. Below is a telephoto shot from the same  camera position as this one.

 

All of the rocks are named, but I cannot recall the name of this one, significantly different from the others in color and shape. If one wants to do technical rock climbing in the park he must get a permit.