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Monday, June 17, 2019

Hiking at the Garden of the Gods - Colorado Springs, Colorado

One of the activities I tried when we were in Colorado last month was a 'Guided Walk' through the Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs.  Earlier on our trip, we stayed at the Broadmoor Hotel where my husband attended a work conference.  Later in the trip, we moved over to a resort that was closer to the Garden of the Gods.  My husband played golf and I signed up for the 'Guided Walk'.  Turned out that I was the only resort guest that signed up, so I had the attention of both the 'wellness' coaches and also one of the valets went with us on the walk.  I had told them that I was on a health journey personally and so we hiked a bit higher and longer (with breaks to drink water and breathe - ha!).  Here's some great shots that I took.


From the balcony of our room looking toward the Garden of the Gods and Pike's Peak.



The 'Guided Walk' began on some easy sidewalks.  It got tougher.  



Here's a picture of me that the nice valet took with the two 'coaches' off to the side.  



This is called the 'Kissing Camels', I think.



If you make this picture larger, you might be able to see the bird that's on top of the rock.  Not sure what kind.  Maybe a goose?



The trails were well maintained, but definitely got a bit more challenging.  And we went up and up and up.



Here you can see how far up - we came from way below.



Another shot of how far up we climbed.  Yes, I had to stop and breathe, though I told them that I was 'taking a picture'.  Ha!



This shot (click to make it bigger) shows climbers on top of the rocks.  Our valet companion told us that he had climbed all over this park.  He grew up in Colorado Springs.



You can see another climber on the side of these rocks.  It turned out that our valet companion recognized the climber and told us a bit about how the leader goes first and attaches the ropes so that other climbers can follow along.  The first guy has no ropes.  Scary.



Here we are at the bottom on the regular walking trails.  Both these ladies were very good and encouraging.  I was so glad that I was brave and took the 'Guided Walk'.  It was a fun time!

45 comments:

  1. Great series! I haven't been to Garden of the Gods in years, but now I want to go back! We were just in Boulder for a wedding and I'm itching to return.

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    1. It's been a really long time since we went to Boulder. Maybe next trip to CO.

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  2. The views are beautiful. Hiking is fun, but I don't think I've that kind of stamina to go all the way to the top, ha. Way to go, Kay!

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    1. Thanks, Melody! One thing that the hiker has to keep in mind is the altitude in the area. Quite high and so the body might need a bit of time to adjust. Happily, with our trips to New Mexico, I'm used to the higher altitudes these days. Still get out of breath, but my recovery is much quicker.

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  3. That looks amazing! I have a niece who loves to hike - I wonder if she knows about this.

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  4. Even the "easy" walks are going up hill. Congrats on making the most of your experience--and stopping to take pics along the way is a legitimate way to catch your breath!

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    1. I thought pictures made a nice excuse, though I really didn't need one at all. All my companions were very watchful of me. Making sure the altitude wasn't too much and encouraging me to rest and drink my water. Ha!

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  5. These are beautiful shots! In all our cross country driving around U.S. we never made it to CO. My son took a cross-country train that stopped there for a bit and he was in awe.
    Kay, you look amazing! I wish I had your drive. I need to get my lazy self off the couch because I'm quite over my average weight. I am cutting down on the food but haven't gotten motivated. And I don't have an iPhone to listen to books outside. Anyway, this is about you and it seems you had a lovely trip!

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    1. We did have a nice trip. And as to the walking - baby steps - a little at a time. Colorado is very nice if you ever get a chance to go there. I've never been to Maine and hope to visit one day.

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  6. Sounds like a rewarding experience. Love those views. Wow!

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    1. That area is definitely the division between the mountains and the plains.

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  7. What a wonderful experience--and beautiful photos!

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  8. Good for you! I know that altitude can really make a simple walk tough. This was more of a hike and you did great! I've been to the Garden of the Gods many years ago, but just walked the paved path. Your photos are wonderful. I need to figure out how to do a slide-show with my travel pictures like you've done here.

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    1. I had been to the Garden of the Gods several times as well, but I'd not ever taken those upper trails - just the paved ones. When I was a small child, my maternal grandparents lived in that area for a few years. I think when we visited at that point, there were dirt roads. Ha!

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  9. What a beautiful place to go hiking! Thanks for sharing such amazing photos. :D

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    1. It was indeed quite beautiful. I love the mountains.

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  10. Oh sounds wonderful and how fun to have had the coaches to yourself. Sounds like you got a bit more of a customized tour. I've never been to Colorado but it's high on my list of places to visit. The landscape is just stunning.

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    1. Yes, very much a customized tour. Which was a little scary for me at first, but they were really nice. Colorado is a beautiful state.

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  11. Wonderful photos of a place I hadn't heard of before. I clicked and got the bigger version of the pics. Stunning. Thanks for sharing.

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    1. Colorado Springs is a lovely town. My grandparents lived there when I was a little girl.

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    2. Kay, I just saw your reply to my post about the book, Just Another Mountain. It's not a book I'm likely to read again so I feel it should go to a good home. If you would like it, email me with your address (I don't think I already have it...) on nanquidno2001 at yahoo.com and I will gladly pop it in the post to you. It would be my pleasure.

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    3. Cath, thanks so much for the offer. However, I found it available here and so have already ordered it. Bet someone in your part of the world would like to have it. Thanks again!

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    4. Excellent. No problem. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

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  12. Look how great you look Kay and how far you hiked! How awesome.

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    1. Yes, it was a 'bigger' hike than I imagined, but it was a lot of fun.

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  13. The scenery is wonderful! And so are you for achieving os much with your fitness... ��

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    1. Thank you kindly! I've worked hard, but it's been a lot of fun and quite satisfying too.

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  14. Beautiful pictures, Kay! I hope to make it out to Colorado some day.

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    1. I hope you get to visit Colorado, Angela. It's a beautiful state.

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  15. That looks like a gorgeous hike and you were very brave. How nice to have two guides with you.

    I just noticed City of the Lost on your books on the side bar. I read about that series yesterday and I thought that you had read it. I am eager to try it.

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    1. It was a fun and beautiful hike. And I hope you'll try the City of the Lost series. It's different for sure.

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  16. Ugh - blogger just ate my comment! Take 2: Your photos are beautiful and congratulations on completing the hike! I first learned about Garden of the Gods here a few years ago. Shortly afterwards, we had the opportunity to visit during a trip to CO for a family wedding. Unfortunately, we didn't allow enough time to get beyond the easy walking trails. There was an active rescue going on the day we visited. A rock climber made it to the peak of one of the tall formations close to the trail, then couldn't get back down. There were some tense moments for sure!

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    1. Oh, I bet it was scary. I was scared just watching those climbers. The guy with us was full of information about what they were doing and how they did it.

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  17. You're looking great, Kay, and I'm enjoying your travels vicariously!

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    1. Glad you are enjoying my adventures - ha!

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  18. That looks quite strenuous! But also beautiful. I can walk or climb most things if I go at my own pace. If I have to rush at all I get winded.

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    1. Oh, I got winded, but I've learned that it's OK. I spent most of my life being sort of afraid of being out of breath for a bit. Anyway, it was fun and I was glad I participated.

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  19. Such beautiful photos! What a fun (exhausting?) experience!

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    1. Fun and, yes, tiring. Glad I was able to do it.

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  20. The other guests missed out. What an amazing time you had! Beautiful sights. A great walk. And all the assistance of these knowledgable people. I can't imagine anything more delightful.

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    1. It was very much a personalized tour. Cool, since it was free. Ha!

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  21. One of my dearest friends loves The Garden of The Gods. I have never been, but I particularly enjoy your pictures giving me a virtual vacation there. It looks so, so beautiful. (I wish my feet didn’t hurt me quite so much, and I could walk as much as you do. I am better at swimming. ;)

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    1. And I'm terrible at swimming - ha! My feet got over being bothered when I started working at the library in the early days - shelving books and standing all day. I'd never had a 'standing' job. Thought I might not make it for a while, but it eased after a few weeks. My solution is really, really supportive and comfortable athletic shoes. They are not cheap, but as I wear them all the time, well worth it. Glad you enjoyed the pictures.

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