If you read our June newsletter, you know that we traveled to Colorado in May. We have made many trips to Colorado during the winter months, but had never been to Colorado without a lot of snow on the ground. So, sort of on the spur of the moment, we decided to head to Colorado in mid-May.
We spent only a couple of days planning the trip and left a little less than two weeks later. We like to plan all of our trips well in advance. So, for us, a 2-week horizon from inception to departure is a ‘spur of the moment trip’.
Breckenridge
We spent 3 days driving to Colorado, and were welcomed to the small mountain town of Breckenridge by warm temperatures, full sun, and beautiful blue skies. Trees and wild flowers were beginning to bud, and the only snow in sight was on the high peaks over 12,000 feet. We spent the next 4 days outdoors, hiking and enjoying the lovely weather.
The spring scenery was so stunning, but unfortunately it was not meant to last. On our fifth day, a rare, but not unheard of, snowstorm descended on the Colorado mountains, dropping 20-inches of snow over two days. Of course, Breckenridge is used to a lot of snow, so the roads and sidewalks were quickly cleared, but the downtown area looked decidedly different after all that snow!
Once the snow stopped and the sun came back out, the scenery was indeed pretty. However, we had not really come prepared for hiking in the snow. So, unfortunately, several of our outdoor plans had to be nixed, including our trip to the top of Pike’s Peak.
That said, the day before the storm, we drove from Breckenridge over the continental divide to Colorado Springs, where we did get to see Pike’s Peak, albeit from a distance. The scenery along the way was spectacular and the weather in Colorado Springs was sunny, with temperatures reaching the upper 80’s. We were there to visit two of the city’s top spots – the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo and the famous Garden of the Gods. We spent several hours at each spot, and enjoyed them both.
If you are considering a trip to the Colorado Springs area, these two destinations are well worth your time!
Cheyenne Mountain Zoo
Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is located southwest of downtown Colorado Springs, and as the name suggests it is located on Cheyenne Mountain. By the way, that happens to be the same Cheyenne Mountain that has been well-known since the Cold War as the location of NORAD, as well as the fictional setting for numerous movies and television series.
At an elevation of over 6700 feet, the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is the highest zoo in the country. The zoo’s 140-acres is home to more than 750 animals and 150 different species, including 30 endangered species. The zoo is consistently ranked as one of the top zoos in the country, and we certainly thought it was one of the best zoos we have ever visited!
The zoo itself is carved into the side of the mountain, so you can expect some elevation gains as you make your way through the exhibits. All the pathways are paved, mostly shaded, and there are plenty of spots to rest along the way. For a small extra fee of $3 for the entire day, you can utilize the zoo’s golf cart shuttles to take you from point-to-point, if the elevation proves to much for you.
Once of the first things we noticed about the zoo is just how close you can get to many of the animals. The African penguins and wallabies are pretty much free to roam their respective areas and you will be able to interact with them, if they are so inclined. We found that the penguins were extremely curious and more than willing to approach us. Similarly, the wallabies hopped all around us, almost oblivious to our presence. The proximity of these animals was really quite remarkable and not what we have experienced at other zoos.
The zoo is perhaps best known for its herd of reticulated giraffes. Since 1954, 200 giraffes have been born at the zoo, and there are 17 individuals in the zoo’s current herd. To observe these beautiful animals, visitors walk along an elevated boardwalk. From there, guests are able to interact with the giraffes and can even feed them. It is really an amazing experience to feed and pet these spectacular animals!
We really enjoyed seeing all the animals, but a couple of the other highlights for us included a visit to the Primate World and the Rocky Mountain Wild exhibits. In Primate World, we were able to come face-to-face with orangutans and gorillas. They were so interesting to watch, both in terms of their interactions with each other, as well as their interaction with the human visitors.
The Rocky Mountain Wild exhibit contains animals that are native to the Rocky Mountains. We particularly enjoyed the grizzly bears. The two 700-pound males, seemed to be in a playful mood when we visited. They were foraging around their enclosures, hunting for some of the treats that are left for them each morning, while at the same time putting on a bit of the show for the crowd. According to their human caretakers, they respond positively to human laughter and applause and they have learned many behaviors that elicit that response!
After our visit with the bears, we hopped on the sky ride. The sky ride is basically a ski lift that provides a roundtrip to the top of the zoo. From that point, the views of Colorado Springs are magnificent!
In total, we spent about 3 hours at the zoo, including about 30 minutes for lunch. There are quite a few food options available. We chose the Pizza with a View restaurant and it was actually quite good. Visitors are also welcome to bring their own food, and picnic facilities are available.
The Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is open every day of the year. However, you must purchase tickets in advance for particular time slots. Since the zoo is open during all types of weather, no refunds are provided in the event of rain or other inclement weather.
We thoroughly enjoyed our visit to the zoo. If you love animals and are in the area, be sure to plan a visit. We think you will be as pleased as we were.
Garden of the Gods Park
After leaving the zoo, we drove 12 miles north to the Garden of the Gods Park. The Garden of the Gods in an impressive park filled with all sorts of amazing rock formations. These formations have come about through millions of years of geological upheavals, and archeologists believe that the early inhabitants first found them more than 3000 years ago. The rock formations themselves are quite striking, with colors ranging from deep red to pink and white. Some two million people visit the park each year for hiking, biking, rock climbing and horseback riding.
Upon arrival at the park, the first stop is the Visitor and Nature Center. There is a short film available that explains the geology and history of the park. Although there is a small charge for the film, there is no entrance fee and use of the park is entirely free of charge!
Maps of the park are available at the Visitor Center and there are folks available to answer any questions you may have about the park. Once you have oriented yourself, you can easily drive yourself on the one-way road through the park, stopping at the sites that capture your interest.
There are 21 miles of hiking trails in the park. Many of the popular trails are paved and relatively flat. We recommend stopping at one of the parking lots surrounding the Central Garden Trails. These paved trails will allow you to get a close up of a number of iconic formations including: Kissing Camels, North Gateway Rock, South Gateway Rock, Sentinel Rock, the Three Graces, Cathedral Spires, Pulpit Rock and White Rock.
After leaving the Central Garden Trails area, be sure to stop at Parking Area 3 for a great long range views.
Continue driving through the park and if you have the time, stop at Parking Area 14 and take a short hike to view the Siamese Twin formation. From there, continue on to Balanced Rock. You will not be able to miss it, because it is literally right on the road!
We spent about 3 hours in the park, which is just enough to get a good overview. However, one could easily spend days there, hiking and enjoying the unique scenery. In addition, visiting at different times of the day would provide opportunities for some amazing and diverse photos, due to the changing lighting conditions.
As you may have guessed, the Garden of the Gods is very popular. The parking lots throughout the park can get pretty busy during the summer and on holidays. If possible, we recommend arriving early in the morning or late in the afternoon in order to avoid the crowds. However, even if you end up coming while it is busy, you will still be awestruck by the impressive, unique and colorful rock formations found in this extraordinary park!
We hope you have enjoyed this recap of our spring trip to Colorado. Although the snow inhibited our plans a bit, we still enjoyed the visit. There is so much more to see in this part of Colorado, so we know we will be back!
Until next time, safe travels!
Well done. Great pics!
Such amazing pictures. I love Colorado Springs area, but I have not make it to the zoo yet. On my list for my next visit. Thanks for all the valuable information and pictures!!
Thank you for the comment. The Zoo is one of the top zoos we have ever visited.
I always travel to Colorado in spring to visit my family, I need to check these places out!