Colorado Springs offers a landscape that transitions from towering red sandstone monoliths to deep, moss-draped canyons within a few miles. Our itinerary focused on three distinct geological wonders – the plunge of Helen Hunt Falls in North Cheyenne Cañon Park, the quiet depths of the Cave of the Winds, and the sheer scale of the Garden of the Gods.
North Cheyenne Cañon Park
First, we stopped at North Cheyenne Cañon Park. The park is cut 1,000 feet deep into a 1.5-billion-year-old granite rock. We started at the farthest point, Helen Hunt Falls, and made our way back to the entrance. You can view the falls from the base by the parking lot or take a short walk to the bridge which goes over the falls.
The waterfall wasn’t overly strong that day but was still charming. We were excited to see our first hint of fall colors in the park since the leaves back home had not changed yet.
Cave of the Winds
On our first full day in Colorado Springs, we started with Cave of the Winds Mountain Park, an adventure park in nearby Manitou Springs. While there, we tackled the cave tour and soared on the Bat-A-Pult zip line. We had a great time doing both!
Discovery Cave Tour
2018 Price: $21 per person
Pioneer Package (for Bat-A-Pult)
2018 Price: $30 per person
Discovery Cave Tour
While the Apache and Ute nations long held knowledge of the cavern, Cave of the Winds was officially documented in 1880, and launched its guided tours a year later. Today, the 45-minute Discovery Tour immerses visitors in the cave’s history and unique geological formations. The journey spans 15 rooms, navigating a half mile of concrete walkways and more than 190 stairs.
Note: In addition to stairs, the path also has low ceilings and narrow passages.
Two brothers, George and John Pickett, found the entrance when exploring Williams Canyon.
We were shown speleothems including stalactites, stalagmites, columns, and cave bacon.
There is a ladder hanging from the original tour exit. It is not the original ladder, which burned down due to visitors using candles while they climbed out. The black marks on the wall are from people putting out their candles before climbing. Parts of the cave gained electricity in 1907.
At one point, our guide cut off the lights and had us stand in absolute darkness to show what it was like. She said that your eyes would never adjust to the dark.
George Jeffries donated money to continue excavating the cave beyond the original tour. He only requested that his name be mentioned on every tour and that a line from his favorite poem, Titan of Chasms, be placed in the cave – “dreams of mountains, as in their sleep they brood on things eternal.”
Bat-A-Pult
I had never done any kind of zip line, so the short Bat-A-Pult was a good way to conquer that fear. The line covers a 1,200-foot round trip flight across Williams Canyon. You sit in a double chair with another person and there are seat belts. Now I feel like I can try another zip line when the opportunity arises.
Garden of the Gods
After Cave of the Winds, we walked through the Garden of the Gods. Garden of the Gods is a free city park and National Natural Landmark.
This park is full of 300-foot towering sandstone rock formations caused by an upheaval millions of years ago in a natural fault line in the area.
Perkins Central Garden Trail is an easy, paved 1.5-mile walk through the heart of the park at the base of these stunning structures.
Trip Tidbits
We ate twice at Saltgrass Steakhouse which was near the hotel. While more expensive than other restaurants throughout the trip, it was very good. A family friend who moved to Colorado was kind enough to drive down for dinner with us.
Baymont Colorado Springs
2018 Price: $267 for three nights
Rain and snow closed out the final days of our trip giving us the perfect excuse to relax. After days of hiking and driving, we happily traded the trails for sleeping in and a movie theater before flying home.