Colorado Springs

Bonk! · 08-28-2022, 07:29 PM

Heading out to CO Springs in a few weeks for a wedding. I've been to CO plenty, but for skiing or hiking. This trip is going to be more of a family "wine and dine" trip. Any recommendations for things to do or places to go in the area?

bucketfoot · 08-28-2022, 07:32 PM

Garden of the Gods pretty much has to be at the top of the list.

Tyga11 · 08-28-2022, 07:48 PM

I assume you're staying at The Broadmoor?

dreamingat30fps · 08-28-2022, 07:53 PM

I agree with garden of the gods and also driving to the top of pikes peak. We were there in the summer and once you start to get the the summit it got crazy. Ended up having to come back down right away because some storm was coming the moment we got up there. If it's open when you go we found it pretty cool.

M_Six · 08-28-2022, 08:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bucketfoot

Garden of the Gods pretty much has to be at the top of the list.

This. Very cool place.

Garden of the Gods by Mark J Photography, on Flickr

bucketfoot · 08-28-2022, 08:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tyga11

I assume you're staying at The Broadmoor?

Would definitely recommend this as well. We stayed there for the first time last year for my 60th birthday.

Bonk! · 08-28-2022, 08:46 PM

We rented a house. Some of my motorcycle buddies also recoemmended Pike's Peak so will definitely look into it.

ezaircon4jc · 08-28-2022, 09:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bonk!

We rented a house. Some of my motorcycle buddies also recoemmended Pike's Peak so will definitely look into it.

Bring your O2 if you're susceptible; it's over 14K feet. I hear they paved the whole road recently. When I drove it around 2001 it was only paved halfway up. It is well worth the drive.

wtwo3 · 08-28-2022, 09:28 PM

I would rank these two as must see:

-Garden of the gods

-Pikes Peak - You can either drive up there or if you just want to relax and enjoy the views, there's also a tram that takes you to the peak with absolutely spectacular views on the way up.

chassis · 08-28-2022, 10:27 PM

Pike's Peak, a 14,000 ft peak (14er).

M_Six · 08-28-2022, 10:34 PM

Back in the mid-90s I climbed the inside wall of a volcano in Mexico (Nevado de Toluca) to the 14,200ft level to get a rock sample (college science trip). I was in good shape then and still had trouble taking more than a few steps without having to stop and catch my breath. The struggle to breathe at 14k feet is real.

iminhell1 · 08-29-2022, 12:14 AM

Download the TrailsOffraod app.
Take a drive to/down one of the green roads or grey.

I'd recommend Gold Camp Road / Old Stage Road, it's grey on the map. And Rampart Range Road, come in from Garden of the Gods. Both roads close after around 9pm. So plan accordingly.

Here is what you're in for:

https://johnruschmeyer.smugmug.com/T...Gold-Camp-Road
https://johnruschmeyer.smugmug.com/T...Old-Stage-Road
https://johnruschmeyer.smugmug.com/T...art-Range-Road

Bring picnic foods and eat along the roads. Rampart has many pull off points as you go. Gold and Old not so much. But there is places you can safely.

NothingButToast · 08-29-2022, 12:42 AM

Drink more water than you usually do before you even go to Colorado.

dreamingat30fps · 08-29-2022, 01:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wtwo3

I would rank these two as must see:

-Garden of the gods

-Pikes Peak - You can either drive up there or if you just want to relax and enjoy the views, there's also a tram that takes you to the peak with absolutely spectacular views on the way up.

When we went in 2019 you could only drive up to a certain point where they had a big parking area. You then had to take a small van to the summit. I THINK it's because there was no parking at the summit but not sure. I believe there is a cog train you can take also although I did not see it when we were there, maybe it didn't run because of the weather at the summit.

Quote:

Originally Posted by M_Six

Back in the mid-90s I climbed the inside wall of a volcano in Mexico (Nevado de Toluca) to the 14,200ft level to get a rock sample (college science trip). I was in good shape then and still had trouble taking more than a few steps without having to stop and catch my breath. The struggle to breathe at 14k feet is real.

The campground we were staying at was at like 8-9k feet and I would be out of breath just casually walking the dogs.

iminhell1 · 08-29-2022, 01:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dreamingat30fps

When we went in 2019 you could only drive up to a certain point where they had a big parking area. You then had to take a small van to the summit. I THINK it's because there was no parking at the summit but not sure. I believe there is a cog train you can take also although I did not see it when we were there, maybe it didn't run because of the weather at the summit.

There are 2 options. if you want to drive to the summit you need a drive to the summit pass, I want to say it's an extra $5? Otherwise you park at devil's playground and the van brings you up.
It's best to buy online.

The cog rail is about an hours ride from what I was told.

tgrundke · 08-29-2022, 07:03 AM

Pikes Peak is well worth the drive. If you want to drive to the summit you do have to pay a per-person fee at the gate. You can buy the summit pass online - it's a timed entry due to demand, so research a week or two before you go.

If you choose not to drive to the summit you are stopped at Devil's Playground parking lot and can hike from there. It's not for the faint of heart if you're not accustomed to altitude and/or rock scrambles.

The views from the summit are awesome.

+1 on Garden of the Gods. Go early in the morning at sunrise. Gorgeous.

Tommy-G · 08-29-2022, 07:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tyga11

I assume you're staying at The Broadmoor?

This is on my bucket list, they have an INSANE brunch that I could probably eat all day and die happy

Quote:

Originally Posted by bucketfoot

Would definitely recommend this as well. We stayed there for the first time last year for my 60th birthday.

Did you stay in the main hotel or one of the off shoots?

M_Six · 08-29-2022, 09:07 AM

We stayed out in Manitou Springs at a B&B called Red Crags. This was the view of Pike's from the terrace.

Red Crags B&B by Mark J Photography, on Flickr

bucketfoot · 08-29-2022, 09:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tommy-G

This is on my bucket list, they have an INSANE brunch that I could probably eat all day and die happy

Did you stay in the main hotel or one of the off shoots?

We were in the Broadmoor West.

Also love that they are extremely dog friendly. We brought our Corgi along on our visit. She didn't make herself comfortable at all...

tgrundke · 08-29-2022, 09:48 AM

Manitou Springs is cool - but very, very touristy. If you're looking for quieter, that's not the place to be.

If you're looking for a serious athletic challenge try the Manitou Incline.

M_Six · 08-29-2022, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tgrundke

Manitou Springs is cool - but very, very touristy. If you're looking for quieter, that's not the place to be.

If you're looking for a serious athletic challenge try the Manitou Incline.

Agreed. I wasn't impressed with it at all. The B&B was nice, though. Out of town a ways and up on a hill.

08-28-2022, 07:29 PM	#1
Bonk! Enlisted Member 176 Rep 39 Posts Drives: 2016 235i m Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Boston, MA iTrader: (0)	Colorado Springs Heading out to CO Springs in a few weeks for a wedding. I've been to CO plenty, but for skiing or hiking. This trip is going to be more of a family "wine and dine" trip. Any recommendations for things to do or places to go in the area?
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08-28-2022, 07:32 PM	#2
bucketfoot Captain 1229 Rep 911 Posts Drives: 2024 BMW 230i xDrive Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Centennial, CO iTrader: (0) Garage List 2024 BMW 230i xDrive [10.00]	Garden of the Gods pretty much has to be at the top of the list. __________________ This post sent using 100% recycled electrons.
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08-28-2022, 07:48 PM	#3
Tyga11 Lieutenant Colonel 3557 Rep 1,763 Posts Drives: M3 Comp Join Date: Jul 2019 Location: Arizona iTrader: (0)	I assume you're staying at The Broadmoor?
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08-28-2022, 07:53 PM	#4
dreamingat30fps Colonel 6037 Rep 2,055 Posts Drives: Miata, Cayenne, Model 3, F350 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: South Florida & NC iTrader: (1)	I agree with garden of the gods and also driving to the top of pikes peak. We were there in the summer and once you start to get the the summit it got crazy. Ended up having to come back down right away because some storm was coming the moment we got up there. If it's open when you go we found it pretty cool.
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08-28-2022, 08:46 PM	#7
Bonk! Enlisted Member 176 Rep 39 Posts Drives: 2016 235i m Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Boston, MA iTrader: (0)	We rented a house. Some of my motorcycle buddies also recoemmended Pike's Peak so will definitely look into it.
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08-28-2022, 09:28 PM	#9
wtwo3 Major General 19373 Rep 5,701 Posts Drives: 23 X7 40i; 23 M3; 24 cooper s Join Date: Aug 2019 Location: IL iTrader: (0) Garage List 2024 Mini Cooper S ... [10.00] 2023 BMW M3 [9.40] 2023 BMW X7 40i [9.75]	I would rank these two as must see: -Garden of the gods -Pikes Peak - You can either drive up there or if you just want to relax and enjoy the views, there's also a tram that takes you to the peak with absolutely spectacular views on the way up. __________________ 2023 BMW X7 xDrive40i 2023 BMW M3 6MT 2024 Mini Cooper S Convertible '20 BMW m340i... '20 BMW X5 40i... '16 Infiniti Q50 RS 400... '10 Lexus RX 350... '08 Lexus IS 350... '00 Nissan Maxima... '93 Nissan Maxima
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08-28-2022, 10:27 PM	#10
chassis Colonel 8356 Rep 2,528 Posts Drives: 9Y0 Cayenne S Join Date: Mar 2019 Location: Einbahnstraße iTrader: (0) Garage List 2020 Porsche Cayenne S [7.69]	Pike's Peak, a 14,000 ft peak (14er).
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08-28-2022, 10:34 PM	#11
M_Six Free Thinker 19700 Rep 7,561 Posts Drives: 2016 MB GLC300 4matic Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Foothills of Mt Level iTrader: (0)	Back in the mid-90s I climbed the inside wall of a volcano in Mexico (Nevado de Toluca) to the 14,200ft level to get a rock sample (college science trip). I was in good shape then and still had trouble taking more than a few steps without having to stop and catch my breath. The struggle to breathe at 14k feet is real. __________________ Mark markj.pics "Life is uncertain, eat bacon now." -UncleWede
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08-29-2022, 12:14 AM	#12
iminhell1 C2H5OH 4147 Rep 2,150 Posts Drives: 2010 SG 135i auto Join Date: May 2015 Location: Darwin, MN iTrader: (1)	Download the TrailsOffraod app. Take a drive to/down one of the green roads or grey. I'd recommend Gold Camp Road / Old Stage Road, it's grey on the map. And Rampart Range Road, come in from Garden of the Gods. Both roads close after around 9pm. So plan accordingly. Here is what you're in for: https://johnruschmeyer.smugmug.com/T...Gold-Camp-Road https://johnruschmeyer.smugmug.com/T...Old-Stage-Road https://johnruschmeyer.smugmug.com/T...art-Range-Road Bring picnic foods and eat along the roads. Rampart has many pull off points as you go. Gold and Old not so much. But there is places you can safely.
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08-29-2022, 12:42 AM	#13
NothingButToast New Member 20 Rep 17 Posts Drives: 2015 BMW M4 Join Date: Jan 2022 Location: USA iTrader: (1)	Drink more water than you usually do before you even go to Colorado.
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08-29-2022, 07:03 AM	#16
tgrundke Private First Class 322 Rep 151 Posts Drives: '23 M340xi; '16 GTI Autobahn Join Date: Jul 2019 Location: Cleveland, OH iTrader: (0) Garage List 2023 M340 [10.00]	Pikes Peak is well worth the drive. If you want to drive to the summit you do have to pay a per-person fee at the gate. You can buy the summit pass online - it's a timed entry due to demand, so research a week or two before you go. If you choose not to drive to the summit you are stopped at Devil's Playground parking lot and can hike from there. It's not for the faint of heart if you're not accustomed to altitude and/or rock scrambles. The views from the summit are awesome. +1 on Garden of the Gods. Go early in the morning at sunrise. Gorgeous.
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08-29-2022, 09:07 AM	#18
M_Six Free Thinker 19700 Rep 7,561 Posts Drives: 2016 MB GLC300 4matic Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Foothills of Mt Level iTrader: (0)	We stayed out in Manitou Springs at a B&B called Red Crags. This was the view of Pike's from the terrace. Red Crags B&B by Mark J Photography, on Flickr __________________ Mark markj.pics "Life is uncertain, eat bacon now." -UncleWede
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08-29-2022, 09:48 AM	#20
tgrundke Private First Class 322 Rep 151 Posts Drives: '23 M340xi; '16 GTI Autobahn Join Date: Jul 2019 Location: Cleveland, OH iTrader: (0) Garage List 2023 M340 [10.00]	Manitou Springs is cool - but very, very touristy. If you're looking for quieter, that's not the place to be. If you're looking for a serious athletic challenge try the Manitou Incline.
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