2025 - Colorado Springs Trip

Sunday, June 29, 2025

2025 - Colorado Springs Trip

We made a short trip to Colorado Springs from June 19 to June 23, 2025. Our plan was to visit Pikes Peak, Garden of the Gods, Royal Gorge near Colorado Springs, and Red Rocks Amphitheater near Denver. With additional time we had, we also visited Red Rock Canyon Open Space, Manitou Incline, Seven Falls and Evergreen Lake. For the first 4 days, the weather was very sunny and hot. The last day there, we finally got some cooler weather. It was a short trip lasting 4 days that filled with memoriable activities.

June 19, 2025 - Flew to Denver and drove to Colorado Springs

June 20, 2025 - Pikes Peak and Red Rock Canyon Open Space

June 21, 2025 - Garden of the Gods and Seven Falls

June 22, 2025 - Manitou Incline and Royal Gorge

June 23, 2025 - Red Rocks Amphitheater and Evergreen Lake

On top od the Pikes Peak

Garden of the Gods from Visitor Center's Patio

Royal Gorge Train Passing by the bottom of the Gorge

Red Rock Amphitherter

Manitou Incline

Red Rock Canyon Open Space

Seven Falls

Evergreen Lake

June 19, 2025 - Traveled to Denver and then drove to Colorado Springs

Our flight to Denver was in the morning, therefore we got up early and flew to Denver without any issues. Once we got to Denver, it took us quite a while to get our Avis rental car. Since they were short on cars, Avis gave us a 4-wheel drive jeep which suites us fine for driving up to Pikes Peak.

It was about 75 minutes drive to Colorado Springs. This time we tried and booked an Airbnb in northeastern part of Colorado Springs. It is a basement in a nice and quiet neighborhood and it was a very pleasant stay.

After we settled down, we drove to Colorado Springs Downtown to browse around. However, their downtown is not exciting at all. With the hot weather, we just wondered around for a couple of blocks then we went to a highly recommended (by TripAdvisor) restaurant for dinner. The name of the restaurant is 'The Rabbit Hole' which is an underground restaurant. The restaurant's seats were all booked and we could only find 2 seats by the bar for our tapas dinner. Their dishes are all tasted wonderful. However, I had a major stomach issue after I got back to our Airbnb. The restaurant was very dark and we also witness the way their waitress clean wine glasses. I am sure, I got some not so sanitized food which caused my stomach issues.

Colorado Springs Downtown Street Decoration

Colorado Springs Downtown

June 20, 2025 - Pikes Peak and Red Rock Canyon Open Space

Pikes Peak is a very popular attraction around Colorado Springs. It requires time entry permit to enter and to drive up to the Summit. Our time slot was between 10am to Noon. The road up to the Summit consists of a lot of sharp turns, and up/down curves. The elevation of the Summit is 14,115 ft. We took high attitude medicine in the morning, however, we could still feel the high attitude with some dizziness particularly while we were indoor. The wind was particularly strong at the Summit. But the view was impressived. We also witnessed a Pikes Peak Cog Railway train pulled into the Summit Station. After witnessed the exciting Summit scenery, strong wind and hot sun, we decided to drive down a little bit and find a nice scenery spot for lunch.

Pikes Peak Entrance

Crystal Creek Reservoir

Half Way to the Pikes Peak Summit

Pikes Peak Sign in Visitor Center

Big Foot Sign in Visitor Center

On Top of Pikes Peak Summit

At Summit with Pikes Peak Cog Railway
in the Background

After lunch, we drove to Manitou Springs and tried to wondering a bit in the downtown area. However, we had difficulty to find a parking spot. Luckily, we found one, however, the only way to pay for parking was via online. Their online parking system is very bad. After several tries we finally got through. However, there was no way to validate the success of transition. Therefore, we decided not to risk the potential of getting a ticket, and gave up the spot. We moved on to Manitou Incline. Later, we got a notification about the successful transaction of parking payment after we got back to our Airbnb in the evening.

We finally found the Manitou Incline, we also had hard time to find any parking spot. Finally, we gave up and drove away from Manitou Springs.

One our way back, we stopped at the Red Rock Canyon Open Space for just taking a look. Surprisingly, we found a nice hiking trial (Sand Canyon Trail) with lots of nice red rock formations. It was a total surprise for us and we enjoyed it very much.

On Sand Canyon Trail

June 21, 2025 - Garden of the Gods and Seven Falls

We got up early to visit Garden of the Gods and it took us a little while to figure out the parking situation. Finally, we parked at the main parking lot, and hiked along the Gateway Trail to the central part of the park. Immediately, we saw mountain climbers in practice on different rock formations. First, we hiked along the Central Garden Trail which is in the heart of the Park alone the base of the highest rock formations. We wondered around and took a lot of photos. Then we went back to Visitor Center and could not find any souvenir to buy. Then, we went back to our car and tried to drive to Ridge Trail. For some reason, we could not find #10 parking lot for the Ridge Trail. We accidentally drove to the Balance Rock area, got a parking spot and had some wonderful time there.

Garden of the Gods - Entrance

Gate Rock in the Center of the Park

Interesting Rock Formation

Rock Formation with Hole in the Middle

On Juniper Way Loop

Interesting Rock Formation

In Front of a Rock Formation

In front of Cathedral Spires

Balance Rock

Then, we drove to Seven Falls Shuttle Area and took the shuttle to Seven Falls. It took us another 20-30 minutes hike to get to the falls. It is a seven layers falls with staircases (with 224 steps) alongside to the top of the falls. It was impressive to see the falls, and we could not resist on climbing up to the top to see the falls from there. With several rest stops we finally made to the top. We also took another trail to see the Midnight Falls. Seeing the Seven Falls and climbing up to the top were very interesting and we enjoyed them very much. However, the back and forth between the falls and the entry point was not interesting at all. They do have a paved road for shuttles getting closer to the falls. However, they kind of forced you to make the long walk back and forth. It is definitely not tourist-friendly.

At Bottom of the Seven Falls

Half Way on the Stair to Top of the Falls

On the Stairs to the Top of the Falls

June 22, 2025 - Manitou Incline and Royal Gorge

We decided to try the Manitou Incline again. This time we drove to Hiawatha Gardens Parking Lot and took the free shuttle to Manitou Incline. It was much easier to just pay for the parking fee and ensure that we can get to the Incline.

It has a 2768 steps from the bottom to the top of the hill straight up. It is very impressive by just looking up to the top from the base of the incline. We made 220 steps of 2768, took some photos, rest a little bit and got back down. It was very exciting to just step onto the Incline and stepping up one step at a time. We were totally happy with the steps we did.

On Manitou Incline

Then, we drove to Royal Gorge near Cannon City. The gorge is about 1250 feet deep, 50 feet width at the base and 300 feet width on the top, and there is a suspension bridge over it. Visitors can walk on the bridge to see the gorge. They also have a Gondola taking visitors from one side of the gorge to the other side. However, due to strong wind, the Gondola was not in operation on that day. They do have other setups of tourism attractions. However, they were too commercialized and it did not interest us. They do charge a lot for the entrance ticket. I felt it is not worth the ticket price.

On the Royal Gorge Bridge

They Even Have Sheeps Roaming Around

Royal Gorge Bridge

On Top of the Visitor Center Platform

Before we headed back to our Airbnb, we drove to south entrance of the US Air Force Academy to take a look. Of course, with no proper credentials, they did not let us enter the academy. We talked to the guards and tried. We were politely turned around by them.

In Front of US Air Force Academy

June 23, 2025 - Red Rock Amphitheater and Evergreen Lake

We checked out our Airbnb around 8AM and drove to Denver area. When we got to the Red Rocks Amphitheater, it was still early and had no issue of finding parking spot to visit the Amphitheater. Once we step into the theater, we were totally impressed by the natural beauty of this Amphitheater. We took a lot of time enjoying it and took many photos.

Red Rocks Amphitheater Entrance

On the Top of Red Rocks Amphitheater

Red Rocks Amphitheater

Stairway to Enter Red Rocks Amphitheater

Then, we found a nice hiking trail (Trading Post Trail) nearby and did a little bit of hiking, enjoying red rock formations. It was wonderful under “not so hot” weather.

Interesting Red Rock Formations

On the Trading Post Trail

Interesting Red Rock Formations,

Then, we drove to Evergreen Lake in Evergreen. It was about 30 minutes drive from the Amphitheater. There is a huge lake surrounded by a beautiful hiking trail (Evergreen Lake Trail). We did the whole 1.4 miles trail ride and enjoyed the hiking along the lake.

On the East Side of Evergreen Lake

From South Side of Evergreen Lake

Dancing Status Next to Evergreen Lake

On Evergreen Lake Trail Walkway

Evergreen Lake Natural Center

From West Side of Evergreen Lake

Then, we drove back to Denver Airport to catch our flight back to Houston.