A Geologic Journey
An amazing overview of the incredible natural diversity in Pikes Peak Country.
We recommend starting your "Geologic Journey" at the Garden of the Gods Visitor Center and purchase one or both of the following books:
Roadside Geology of Colorado By Hulka Chronic
A Guide to the Geological History of the Pikes Peak Region By Jeffrey Noblett
DAY 1
Directions: From I-25 take Garden of the Gods Road (Exit 146) turn left on 30th Street. Visitor Center will be on your left across from the park entrance.
Look for the exhibits on geology near the theatre entrance and check to see if one of the free talks or walks has a topic of interest. The terrace has great views for dining. Enjoy the 12-minute multi-media theater presentation on the fascinating social and geologic history of the Garden of the Gods entitled "How Did Those Red Rocks Get There?" Next, drive on your own, join a guided walk or a narrated bus tour through the park itself. The park is known for its unique rock outcroppings. The Limestone, Fountain Formation, Red and White Lyons Sandstone once laid in horizontal layers but were later forced up into a vertical position. The softer portions eroded away to form the rock formations we see today.
Directions: Garden of the Gods Trading Post is located in the Garden of the Gods Park.
Noted for being "traditionally the oldest, certainly the largest and clearly one of the best gift shops in the Pikes Peak Region!" Native American jewelry, Navajo rugs and Pueblo pottery can be found in the vast collection located in the Southwestern Art Gallery as well as an extensive selection of Colorado gifts and souvenirs. For lunch try a delicious Buffalo Burger at the Patio Café.
Directions: Take Beckers Lane, adjacent the Trading Post, to Manitou Avenue. Turn Right onto Manitou Avenue. From Manitou Avenue turn right onto Hwy. 24 west. Look for the Manitou Cliff Dwellings Museum on the right.
The utilization of a natural cliff overhang for shelter by prehistoric native-American Indians beautifully illustrate our connection with geology. Wander leisurely through the preserve and explore the fascinating architecture of the ancient Anasazi. These actual ruins (c. 1100-1300 A.D.) provide a spectacular backdrop for the colorful Indian dancers who perform traditional dance programs June through August. Manitou Cliff Dwellings has two museums featuring cultural displays of prehistoric Southwestern Indian artifacts in interesting and educational exhibits. Several gift shops feature Indian-made pottery, jewelry and crafts.
Directions: Take Highway 24 east to 21st Street. Turn right on 21st Street and go several miles to Cheyenne Road. Take a right and follow the signs to Seven Falls.
The cliff walls of South Cheyenne Cañon, "the grandest mile of scenery in Colorado," also has geologic significance. The cañon is made up of Pikes Peak Granite, the same igneous rock that forms Pikes Peak. The granite consists of pink feldspar, smoky quarts and mica. The local granite has been dated at one billion years old. The box canyon terminates at the waterfalls which has been carved by Cheyenne Creek. An elevator inside the mountain whisks visitors 130 feet to a viewing platform.
DAY 2
Pikes Peak
8:45 a.m. -12:30 p.m.:
Directions: Take Hwy. 24 west out of Colorado Springs. If taking the Pikes Peak Cog Railway, exit in Manitou Springs and head west on Manitou Avenue to Ruxton Ave., take a left. If driving the Pikes Peak Highway, continue five miles past Manitou Springs on Hwy. 24 to the town of Cascade, exit left.
Pikes Peak Cog Railway (reservation required, must be at the depot 30 minutes ahead of time), or Pikes Peak America's Mountain, both are approximately three hours round trip. Either is an excellent way to observe the fascinating geology of the region. Pikes Peak is one of the oldest rocks in the area. It was formed by a batholyth of molten rock that moved upward from below the Earth’s surface. The existing front range is actually part of a third set of Rocky Mountains. The Ancestral Rockies existed 200 million years ago. The second set existed 65 million ago. Approximately 60 million years ago glaciers covered the mountain range.
Lunch & Shopping in Manitou Springs
12:30 p.m.-3:00 p.m.
Directions: Exit out to Hwy. 24 just adjacent to Manitou Springs to get to Cave of the Winds.
The cave itself formed some 70 million years ago. The Limestone formation that makes up the cave has a 450 million year geologic history. The cave system forms deep within the William’s Canyon Limestone. Daily tours take you through a spectacular network of passages and rooms with stalactites, stalagmites, flowstone, and many other geologic wonders.
DAY 3
Directions: Take I-25 to Exit 156A.
GOLD! It’s burned like a fever in the hearts of men and women everywhere it’s been discovered. It drew people West where they hoped to make their fortune. The Western Museum of Mining & Industry preserves this rich history through active exhibits of equipment and imaginative guided tours that encourage hands-on experiences including panning for gold.
Directions: Exit south of the park to Hwy. 24 go east to 25. Head south to the Nevada/Hwy. 115 exit. Continue south to Hwy. 50. Go west through Cañon City, 8 miles. (Approximate driving time 1 1/2 hours)
The world’s highest suspension bridge hangs above the Royal Gorge. The gorge was formed over the past three million years natural erosive. Forces such as wind, freezing and thawing, as well as the carving capabilities of the Arkansas River, are continually changing the gorge.
Directions: Exit south of the park to Hwy. 24 go east to 25. Head south to the Nevada/Hwy. 115 exit. Continue south to Hwy. 50. Go west through Cañon City and turn south on 3rd Street. The Santa Fe Depot is located at 401 Water Street.A spectacular railroad adventure like none other, your 24-mile, 2 hour journey embarks from the Santa Fe Depot and follows portions of the famous Denver and Rio Grande Western rail line. From the amazing Hanging Bridge clinging precariously to the steep granite walls of the Gorge, to the breathtaking scenery of Colorado's Rocky Mountains, the Royal Gorge Route is one of the most stunning railroad experiences imaginable.