Pikes Peak and Colorado Springs

Pikes Peak

The names Pikes Peak, Colorado Springs, Manitou Springs, and the Ute Indians are inextricably and permanently linked forever in history. The area around Manitou Springs was frequented by Ute, Arapaho, Cheyenne and Kiowa Indians, but was actually a part of the Ute homeland. The other Indian Nations came for the healing properties of the mineral springs and soda water in Manitou Springs. The area was considered to be a neutral area to all concerned. Healing waters, plenty of game for food, lots of sunshine, no worries of being attacked and beautiful scenery…who could ask for more?

That history goes well beyond Colorado Springs itself and the names of all the cities and towns now here. It goes back to the Ute Indians and to prehistoric times before the Ute’s. A trip over Ute Pass to the Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument (near the town of Florissant) will reveal a glimpse into the prehistoric Pikes Peak region and Colorado in general. Taking you back to the time of Dinosaurs, gigantic trees and vast inland oceans.

Where is it?

Today the Pikes Peak region is bisected by I-25 and U.S. 24. These two highways are major thoroughfares and Colorado Springs is situated there as the economic engine of the Pikes Peak region.

Towns and Cities such as Manitou Springs, Woodland Park, Crystola, Divide, Chipita Park, Green Mountain Falls, Cripple Creek, Victor, Monument, Palmer Lake, Lake George, and Florissant all contribute economically and artistically to the area and are important and vital to the Pikes Peak region.

Cripple Creek is one of the three (3) mountain towns (along with Blackhawk and Central City) approved for gambling in the state of Colorado.

Forests, Plains and Peaks

This is a land of contrasts in addition to abundant and stunning natural beauty. Along I-25 we have Colorado Springs and it’s metropolitan area, the Air Force Academy along with Palmer Lake and Monument to the north. East of I-25 one can find most of Colorado Springs, and in the northern end of the region, Colorado’s Black Forest (east of Monument).

Looking onto the plains of eastern Colorado you’ll find a vast expanse of gently rolling hills and acres upon acres of fertile farmland suitable for dryland farming. The contrast between the two sides of I-25 (east and west) are startling and stunning.

To the west of I-25 is the eastern edge of Colorado’s Rocky Mountains in the form of the stunning, ruggedly beautiful and majestic Pikes Peak and the other, less famous mountains. These contrasts, beauty and natural wonders are some of the things that kept the Ute’s coming back year after year. The area has some of the best places to visit and scenes to see in Colorado!

In addition to some of the most romantic things to do (The Cliff House in Manitou Springs can be very romantic!) and places to spend a vacation or a weekend in the state of Colorado. With over 50 Bed and Breakfasts in the Ute Pass and Pikes Peak region, hundreds of campsites and over 13,000 hotel and motel rooms, we here at scenes-to-see.com are certain you will find just the right accommodation for that special night, weekend, vacation or holiday adventure.

A Godly Garden

Just east of the Cliff House, the Manitou Cliff Dwellings and Manitou Springs is The Garden of the Gods. The Garden is a collection of spectacular red rock formations that sits between Manitou Springs and Colorado Springs. Most visitors believe that it is aptly named indeed!

The Garden of the Gods was a traditional wintering location of the Ute’s, as well as being scared ground to the Ute’s, Arapaho, Cheyenne and Kiowa nations. Pikes Peak (originally Ole’ Zeb Pike called it Grand Peak and the Ute’s called it Sun Mountain) and Cheyenne Mountain offered protection from the icy winds and deep snows which are common near the summits. Natural mineral springs in present day Manitou Springs offered healing waters and a place to relax after a big hunt, war with another Indian nation or the long trek across the Continental Divide, South Park, and Ute Pass for the winter. An abundance of animals (used for food and clothing) and relatively good weather lured the Ute’s to be guardians of the region until the U.S. began expanding westward.

All the way to South Park

The Pikes Peak region extends west along U.S. 24 to Wilkerson Pass (about 8 miles west of Lake George). When you are at the visitors center on Wilkerson Pass, be sure to hike the short distance to the viewing areas and take in all the stunning sights.

To the east, you will see the west side of Pikes Peak and to the west, you’ll see South Park ringed by the Sangre de Christo mountains and the Collegiate Peaks. These mountains and the South Park valley conspire to create one of the most spectacular views that you will ever see in person! The view is so stunning and beautiful that I’m sure you’ll agree that this is probably one of natures greatest accomplishments, not yet ruined by man!

Miles and Miles of Trails

All over the Pikes Peak region there is fabulous fishing, great hunting and stunning scenes-to-see! Hiking, biking and four wheel drive (4wd) trails along with hundreds of camp sites abound.

History is everywhere you look and step, modern day gambling and early settlers gambling (mining, both gold and silver) is evident nearly everywhere. The hiking trails traverse the landscape, ranging from easy to walk (most of the tourist attractions) to pretty tough (up the side of Pikes Peak) to everything in between. Some of the hikes that look easy, are actually fairly tough for most because of the elevation.

Manitou Springs sits at just over 6,400 feet and the summit at Pikes Peak is over 14,000 feet! The elevation change occurs in under 15 miles, so it is fairly severe and sudden. With proper acclimation though, you shouldn’t have problems with the change in air density and the elevation.

Hounds in the hills!

And speaking of fabulous things to see, are you a Rock Hound? Did you know the first discovery of Phenakite (click here for more info on this quartz like stone) in the United States was on Pikes Peak? The Pikes Peak region has surprised many and offered man an abundance of beautiful gems and much sought after minerals to create everlasting wealth for several families!

Beautiful and Rugged

The combination of natures beauty, the ruggedness of the Rocky Mountains and mans hand have conspired to create a region full of Scenes-to-see, things-to-do, and memories-to-keep.

A few of those places include all the tourist attractions around Colorado Springs and Manitou Springs such as Seven Falls, The Cave of the Winds, the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, Ghost Town & Wild West Museum, The Broadmoor Hotel and Golf Club, and Garden of the Gods. Among scenes-to-see outside of these two towns are the summit of Pikes Peak, Ute Pass, the mines at Cripple Creek (the Mollie Kathleen) and Victor. Above Victor sits the American Eagles Mine and history park. From the history park it seems as if you can see forever! The most popular ways to reach the summit of Pikes Peak is via the Pikes Peaks toll road (the Pikes Peak Hill Climb Auto Race is held on this road), or the Manitou and Pikes Peak Cog Railway. The Railway is the world’s highest cog railway and the highest railway in the United States. The Pikes Peak Cog Railway runs a distance of about 9 miles and ascends an astonishing 7,530 feet over those 9 miles. The railway allows you the ability to take in all the views, in all directions while you allow them to do all the work of getting you to the top! Hiking and/or biking on the 12 mile long Barr trail is also a favorite, but it does require you to be in fairly good shape, as it does get pretty strenuous at times! Any way you choose to ascend to the top, the trip is well worth the view once you are there! The view is so spectacular, it moved Katherine Lee Bates to write “America the Beautiful.”

The beauty and ruggedness of the Pikes Peak area creates some of the best of Colorado and one of the most splendid regions on the North American continent!