We took off after lunch at 12:15 and got back to the house at 4:45. Going through Penrose, we passed the "Historic Apple Shed Cafe" sporting the "World's Largest Rocking Chair" (debatable) out front. The place was closed up and fenced and we didn't stop, but later I wished I had. So to fill in this annoying gap in my memory, here's Tony Baca's photograph from 2008.
After the turn towards Royal Gorge country and Cañon City we were on our way.
From the guide book:
In the late 1800s this gold mining district on Pike's Peak western flank was outproducing Alaska and California combined.
The drive on the toll road back then would take a traveler six hours heading north (as we were) or four hours going south at the cost of .30 cents for a single horse and rider up to $1.75 for a six-horse stagecoach.
The start of our drive took us past the first oil well west of the Mississippi River, drilled in 1862.
This area is the Garden Park Fossil Area, where paleontologists have discovered bones fromTyrannosaurus, Stegosaurus, Diplodocus, and Allosaurus, among others.
The early part of the afternoon had fewer clouds, but they built steadily as we climbed along.
This little building with a historic preservation sign over the door was intriguing, especially those steps to nowhere out front.
I'm always struck by the working ranches so many miles from the nearest town and I wonder about the hardy people who make a living off the land and what they must think of the tourists with cameras passing through.
We took the spur off into Red Canyon Park just briefly, as soon as we realized the road was blocked off and the only option was to hike through.
As Dad worked on turning the car around from the road blockade, I stepped out to get a picture of these purple and blue wildflowers springing up from the red dirt.
I have a fondness for photographing winding roads...
Once we were back on the main road, it was just a bit further to the start of the really scenic section.
Obligatory sign shot:
Aptly named, as you see on your right below the one lane along the side of the mountain. The other side is a long drop to the bottom of Four Mile Creek.
Looking up above the shelf:
And looking down below:
Now, you may have to squint due to the size constrictions of the photo here, but that collapsed cabin the middle of the meadow is what I think was once the toll collector's cabin, at least if I'm reading the guide book correctly.
Looking back south to the Shelf, you can make out the silhouettes of bigger mountain ranges behind us. And if you look down in the valley, you can always spot the trail of the creek thanks to the much brighter green foliage that flourishes along the water.
Turn around in the northern direction we are heading, though, and the clouds are menacing.
The road continues its one lane curves for 26 miles total, which takes about two hours. Keep a careful eye out for oncoming cars, because there are very limited places to pull out and let them go past.
The road eventually descends down to creek side where the roar of water fills the air.
And it's a good spot to dip your feet and cool off. The rain clouds are helping us out with that as well.
When we started out, our elevation at Cañon City was 5330 feet above sea level. As we close in on Cripple Creek, elevation 9395 feet, you'll note that the wildflowers at this elevation are just now starting to open here at the beginning of June.
The cactus and wildflowers intermingle throughout the little meadows.
Window Rock is near the end of the scenic drive:
And the creek tumbles on as it starts to rain.
I took this shot prematurely, as it dropped another five degrees by the time we reached Cripple Creek. We started the afternoon at 92°
We took a turn into this property for sale to get some nice shots of the ranges behind us.
Imagine building your dream home with the bedroom window facing this.
Here's the number in case you're interested ;)
And just around the corner is the end of the Gold Belt byway.
It's just a short drive into Cripple Creek, and the rain made us close up the windows.
I was amused at the target practice.
Cripple Creek is a Vegas strip of casinos and not much else, except the big mining outfits.
From here, it's on to Woodland Park and Colorado Springs.
See you next time, probably on foot, although getting chauffeured by Dad is a pretty sweet way to wander, too.
My name is Tony Baca and I am the owner of the first image of your blog. I don't mind that you used it , but next time please ask. Thank you for giving me the photo credit on my image.
ReplyDeleteTony Baca