I have so much to share from my first trip to Colorado this summer! I have been back twice since then and have one more weekend in August where I'll be visiting some new and fun places! Stay tuned for that!
I was able to check out some pretty cool places this past June and wanted to share a little bit of them all! From Paint Mines to Canyon Roads, Colorful Waterfalls and hiking Seven Bridges to tackling the Manitou Incline; there isn't one place I didn't enjoy because we all know how much I love the Rocky Mountain state!
My first day I made a quick stop to hike around the Paint Mines, located right outside Calhan off Hwy 24. Think brightly colored bands of clay that was collected by American Indians to be used for paint and evidence of life dating back 9,000 years ago. There are four miles of trails and views that will never be forgotten.
Phantom Canyon Road was my next adventure. Birdie and I made our way up starting at Hwy 50 and making our way to Cripple Creek. Be ready for some of the most amazing views you will ever see. This unpaved scenic drive will leave you speechless with stone tunnels, steel and wooden bridges, and an elevation climb of 4,000 feet.
Rainbow Falls, Seven Bridges, and the Manitou Incline also made the itinerary. Rainbow Falls is located on Fountain Creek in Manitou Springs and received it's name from the graffiti painted on the canyon walls and bridge overpass. It's pretty cool! We also hiked Seven Bridges Trail which follows North Cheyenne Creek. The trail gets its name because cross seven bridges leading up to an amazing waterfall. It's worth the 3.7 miles! Another venture was the Manitou Incline; I've done it once before and this time was even better. Up in 59 minutes and down the face of the mountain in 45. Just 2,744 steps and you are at the top! Warning, it's basically straight up!
I also ran my 5th Slacker Half Marathon; this year with my Colorado bestie, Alec. And this year, we started out running in snow and a cool 40°. About 2.5 hours later we were back in Georgetown sipping on cold brews from the Guanella Pass Brewery, hanging with friends, and getting our Parker the Snow Dog fix.
You know I do not go to Colorado Springs without hitting the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo because Giraffes and this time we went a little higher, driving up to take in the views from the Will Rogers Shrine of the Sun. We then headed downtown to try Frozen Gold, ice cream that is taken to the next level... it truly is gold.
See You Soon Colorado✌
Shona
Follow Me ↠ #kcgypsea
