Columbine Trail, Helen Hunt Falls and Heading West!

Garden of the Gods RV Resort/Outdoor Destinations
Colorado Springs, CO
July 20, 2014

Did you see it...it caught my eye...

I hope someone is missing a glove and not a hand!

North Cheyenne Creek

Imagine my excitement to hear running water as we headed toward the Lower Columbine Trail. Actually the Columbine Trail is three trails in one...Lower, Middle and Upper. We chose only to do Lower and Middle...a four mile trek to Helen Hunt Falls.
The trail traces the cut of North Cheyenne Creek as it climbs up the canon wall. We much preferred the Lower Trail as we were close to the creek...it was cool, shady, and green.

There were picnic tables all along the trail.

Eventually the trail comes back to North Cheyenne Road. There is a bridge over the creek and a marked road crossing for pedestrians.  

Lower joins middle just around the corner after the road crossing. 





From here, the trail begins its ascent on a narrow shelf... about 1,050 ft. total ascent from the Lower Columbine Trailhead to Helen Hunt Falls.

Helen Hunt Falls is a waterfall located on Cheyenne Creek. The falls are named in honor of Helen Maria Hunt Jackson, a poet and writer. Sometime after the death of her first husband, she visited Colorado Springs (1873-75) seeking rest at the Seven Falls Resort in hopes of a cure for tuberculosis. It was there she met and married William Jackson, a wealthy banker and railroad executive. During her several years in Co Springs, she spent Sundays at the site of the falls and was buried there when she died.

  We chose a take a different route back to town...we drove back to Helen Hunt Falls. Just past there, North Cheyenne Road ends at a parking lot for anyone who wants to hike or bike the Upper Columbine Trail (I read it is only a mile, but very steep.). An alternative dirt road, Gold Camp Road, picks up here.

Gold Camp Road

Gold Camp Road was originally a railroad. There are dozens of "cuts" thru the rock just wide enough for a train...or one car...and this is a 2-way traffic road with brave folks on bicycles going in both directions as well. Yikes!

Add in a couple of tunnels...









and some grand views for a fun 6.7 miles.

 Today is packing up day. Tomorrow we head west...about 240 miles to Montrose, CO. I can hardly wait!  I already know the 9 days we have planned there will not be enough! Between our friends Sue and Paul who are there and Mark who posts the most gorgeous pictures from Lovely Ouray on www.boxcanyonblog.blogspot.com , I know I will be in heaven or at least able to touch the clouds!

 

So until next time...

Gold Camp Road traveling top to bottom.

happy trails!

Insects and Hummingbirds

Garden of the Gods RV Resort/Outdoor Destinations
Colorado Springs, CO
July 20, 2014

Starsmore Discovery Center serves as an introduction to North Cheyenne Canon (pronounced Canyon...the first "n" in Canon has a squiggley line over it) Park...a 1,600 acre city park. This beautiful stone building built in 1922 was originally the home of the Starsmore family. As a cherished local landmark, it was purchased by the city of Co Springs and moved to its present location in 1992. The gardens that surround the center are beautiful...butterflies and hummingbirds were fluttering and zooming all around. In 1995, an effort was begun to add perennials favored by hummingbirds. Upkeep and care of the garden is carried out by the Friends of Cheyenne Canon(FOCC) who volunteer their time.

A few insects...

...and hummingbirds.

Broad-tailed Hummingbird

The pretty red flower that shows up in a lot of the garden pictures at the center is bee balm. It is a member of the mint family and comes in pink, red and white. Its a big draw for hummingbirds and butterflies.

 

I had a hard time leaving the Discovery Center and the beautiful flowers, butterflies and hummingbirds. But the center is also the trailhead for the Lower Columbine Trail...our real destination for the day!

 

There is something a little strange in this picture...

 A sneak preview until next time...

 

happy trails!