Little Rocky Mountain Cabin     Whispering Pines Cabin     Aspen Ridge Cabin     Pine Ridge Cabin    

Little Rocky Availability  Whispering Pines Availability  Aspen Ridge Availability  Pine Ridge Availability    

Questions and Answers     Fun To Do     Contact Lisa

Colorado Rocky Mountain Cabin Rentals

Secluded Colorado Cabin Rentals

Cabins in Colorado With Private Hot Tubs

Colorado Cabin Rentals Near Pikes Peak

 Hiking in Colorado

Colorado has more beautiful hiking trails than you could cover in a lifetime.

Depending on your skills, your physical condition and health you could be one

of the lucky ones that experiences the sights and sounds of our forests and

wilderness areas. I can't resist the splash of a cold and clear mountain creek

or watching an occasional deer with her young and herds of elk passing by.

I've even seen black bears. Remember, don't approach or feed the wildlife.

That would be dangerous. Take water, a jacket, map and other safety items.

Make hiking in Colorado a great trip but make it a safe one, too.

Mueller State Park

I adore this state park and feel fortunate that it is right down the road.

It is a great big 5,000 acre playground and you can explore over fifty-five miles

of trails on foot, cross-country skis or snowshoes. Sometimes state parks are

overly crowded especially in summer. This one isn't somehow and if you come

in winter you may very well be alone. I've been and never saw another person.

Anyway, there are picnic tables inside the park and you can take one of my picnic

baskets and enjoy yourself. The baskets will be available starting May of 2012.

This park is very well known for fabulous bird watching. Take binoculars.

You might want to try one of the trails mentioned directly below for Mueller State Park.

Daily park pass $7-$9 per day or $70 for an annual pass to any Colorado State Park.

9 miles from Whispering Pines, 6 from Little Rocky and 5 from Aspen Ridge and Pine Ridge.

"Grouse Mountain Overlook"

This trail inside Mueller State Park is only .8 of a mile round trip. It will take you through

a timbered forest and to the highest place in the park which is about 9,800 feet. The view of

Pikes Peak is wonderful and you can even see the Sangre de Cristo Range.

A large portion of the month of June is closed on this trail for elk calving. Inquire at the gate.

"Lost Pond"

Yet another short hike in Mueller (.8 of a mile round trip.). This one will take you through

more of a valley with lots of flowers and wildlife. Small pond in a lovely mountain setting.

"School Pond"

It is reported that wildlife viewing is great during the morning and evening hours.

1.6 miles round trip in length. No fishing at this pond.

"Outlook Ridge to Raven Ridge Overlook"

This popular hike will take you to the Raven Ridge Overlook. Rock outcroppings. Excellent views.

"Homestead/Black Bear Loop"

This 2.3 mile hike will take you through a forest and meadows.

"Osborn Homestead Loop"

See the remnants of the Osborn Homestead on this loop. Can you imagine living there in the 1920's?

 The quiet is wonderful now but back then? I can't imagine the winters but they must have been splendid.

This loop is 3.2 miles round trip.

Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument

Florissant Fossil Beds is known the world over for its fossilized plants and insects.

Thirty-million years ago volcanic eruptions buried the insects and plants in mud and ash.

There was once a large lake in the area. The insects and plants were buried by the water

and compacted into the shale and were preserved. The terrain looks very different today

and offers hiking opportunities both inside the park and in the general area.

Get more information at‘www.nps.gov/flfo.

The fossil beds are 18 miles from Little Rocky and 12.5 from Whispering Pines.

"Hornbeck Wildlife Loop"

This loop is 4 miles in length and will take you over ancient lake beds. You can see

the Hornbeck Homestead.  Adelaide Hornbeck raised four children here in 1878 alone.

Pike's Peak

Every year people hike, drive or take a train to the top of Pikes Peak.

As with any hiking in Colorado your physical condition, experience, and the

altitude combined with natural hazards and animal life should be given the

utmost safety considerations. Consider letting someone know where you are

going and the time you plan to return. Take water, food, sunscreen, sunglasses,

a hat, a jacket (even in summer), band-aids and other safety and comfort items.

Now here is an interesting link. Cut and paste and see for yourself.

'http://www.cograilway.com/Summit/WeatheratSummitB.htm

The road up Pike begins in Manitou Springs and is 20-35 minutes from the cabins.

The Crags

This is a well traveled hiking trail of about 3 1/2 miles round trip with lovely rock

formations some of which are quite large. From Divide head south on Highway 67 South.

Drive about 4.3 miles to a sign on the left that says the Crags Campground.

Turn left at the campground and follow the road to the end where there will be places to park.

Google The Crags Colorado Hiking. Lots of information and photos on line.

Horsethief Falls

What a pretty area to hike. It is a little over 2.5 miles round-trip.

About six miles south of Divide off of Highway 67. Just look for the old tunnel entrance.

Because it is so beautiful with stretches cool and dark along the water it is very popular.

Challenge Unlimited

"Ultimate Ride"

What a fun trip this must be! You can take a bike tour with Colorado's oldest touring company!

Challenge Unlimited offers several bike tours to choose from. Consider the Ultimate Ride

which was featured on Good Morning America. Once or twice daily from May 1st through

October 31st they will feed you, fit you with helmets and bikes, provide some education

and then you are on your way to the top of Pikes Peak to begin your twenty mile

downhill adventure. You will pass through different climates and vegetation with all sorts of

wildlife along the way. The trip ends at Wines of Colorado where you will have lunch.

"Cog up. Bike down."

Wow! This package includes two great experiences - a ride on the Pikes Peak

Cog Railway and a bike tour down the mountain. With breakfast, the train ride,

equipment and lunch this package is value and fun packed.

"Go for the Gold"

While I have never taken this tour, I have to wonder if this would be the one

to do in late September when the aspen leaves have usually changed from green

to beautiful yellow. This bike tour follows the Gold Camp Road which Theodore

Roosevelt once described as "...so beautiful it bankrupts the English language."

The trip begins at St. Peters Dome (Google it.)

Ready for a reservation? Want more information?

Cut and paste'www.hikitbikit.com into your address bar.

Pike National Forest

Over one-million acres to explore! Mount Evans, Bierstadt, Democrat, Lincoln,

and Bross as well as our famed Pikes Peak are in this forest.

Lighter Side of Christmas Parade

This year's theme is Happy Trails to Christmas with proceeds going to Teller County

Search and Rescue. It is a sweet, small mountain town parade with floats and lights.

Usually held after dark one night the first week in December. Date yet to come.

Consider dinner in town and then watch the parade and contests.

"Pike's Peak Cog Railway Christmas Special 2011"

Two hour round-trip excursion up Pike's Peak. The trains won't be going all the way to

the top of the mountain but will go to a pretty area called Four Mile Siding where you

will meet with Santa and Mrs. Klaus. Dress warmly because you will be at 10,000 feet!

Hot chocolate and Christmas cookies will be available. Even if you don't have kids it

still might be such fun to watch their little faces and hear their squeals of delight.

Make reservations early and CALL to make them.  Don't do it on line.

719-685-5401

"Royal Gorge Route Santa Express"

Taken from their web site ... "The Santa Express is a winter wonderland, decorated in holiday

style, where children are encourages to wear cozy pajamas and relax with family and friends

while they sip homemade cocoa and listen to classic holiday stores read by Santa's elves.

Large plate=glass windows allow passengers to enjoy the Rocky Mountain beauty of the

Royal Gorge on the way to the North Pole, which is fittingly decorated like a true Christmas

town, bedecked with holiday lights and decor for it's most famous resident - Santa Claus"...

"Butte Opera House - Christmas Donkey"

Taken from their web site ... "Local character William Otis is well known for his eccentric behavior;

breaking into song at the drop of a hat and conversing with a donkey. But, when he starts dressing

like Santa Claus (and begins dressing his donkey as a Reindeer) it's only the children of Cripple Creek

who know the truth: Old Bill Otis IS the next Santa. This show is followed by a Christmas Olio.

Bristlecone Pine Scenic Area

Bristlecone Pine Scenic Area is located on top of Windy Ridge. Yes, it is a little

ways out there, not exactly in the area, but if you were already planning a day

trip to Breckenridge and have a little extra time you might want to see this place.

Go in summer or early fall. Yes, it open in winter but deep snows could get you

in trouble and it is called Windy Ridge for a reason. It is estimated that these tilted,

twisted and extremely resilient trees are over 1,000 years old. There are other groups

like these in our country that are even older like in Nevada where they are

 estimated to be 4,900 years old and the Redwoods in California at 2,300 years old.

This grouping of ancient trees is the most easterly group in the United States.

From the junction of Colorado 9 and US 285 in Fairplay follow Colorado 9 to Alma.

In the middle of this small town turn left at the gas station onto Buckskin Gulch Road.

Follow the signs to the Bristlecone Pine Scenic Area.

The best times to visit are mid to late summer and maybe early fall.

About sixty-five miles northwest of Divide.

Imagine rafting the Arkansas River with cliffs 1,200 feet above you. I did it!

I am the one in the middle to the left....smiling. It was such fun.

I recommend talking to several rafting operators about your skill level.

Skill level? I didn't have any. First time for me. Won't be last. Talk to them

about your physical condition. It matters. Besides, they will certainly ask you

when you get there. Make sure you get your ultimate rafting experience.

.....and the guide said to me "Sit on the edge of the raft and use your legs to keep you in.

Paddle when I say so and don't let go of your paddle no matter what.".....

  I didn't say anything but I surely thought as I lowered my shades down my nose to peer

at this person encouraging me to do things I would find unnatural "Sit on the edge?

Wouldn't it be better if I sat down in the raft?".  He was mostly right.  Most of us

managed to sit on the edge and remain in the raft even if our Foster Grants didn't.

Do yourself a favor. Bring cheap sunglasses. Rent their suits to keep warm in frigid water.

I got to where I would even jump off when we came to quiet water and just sort of

float along with giant cliffs above me. It was a unique experience. I loved, loved, loved it.

The river rafting in Canon City is about an hour south of the cabins.

Make sure you get there by going through Colorado Springs.

Don't make the mistake of going through Cripple Creek to get to Canon City.

It is not a short cut and you could very well miss your rafting trip which you paid for.

Rafting sometimes begins May 1st and goes through about mid-September. I went July 10th.

Keep in mind that snow fall from the previous year and rainfall can alter flows.

Google "River Rafting the Arkansas Colorado" and choose a great trip.

 Crystal Peaks Reservoir and Rampart Reservoir

Crystal Peaks Reservoir is off of the Pikes Peak Highway.

It is one of our easier fishing holes to reach but that makes it more heavily fished.

Rampart Reservoir is just a few miles north of Woodland Park.

Motorized boating is not permitted in either place.

Fish for brook trout, mackinaw and cutthroats.

Colorado fishing licenses are required and can be purchased locally.

 Keep in mind that you may be fishing an area that also has a fee.

Fishing conditions? 'wildlife.state.co.us/fishing/reports/statewideconditions.

Fishing licenses are valid from April 1st to March 31st.

*2011-2012 fees for a Colorado fishing license

$10 per license Habitat Fee plus....

...one-day license (resident or non-resident) $9.00

...five-day license (non-resident) $21.00

...annual license (resident) $26 and annual license (non-resident) $56.00

South Platte River

Only 168 miles of streams in Colorado have been designated Gold Medal.

Gold Medal = best opportunities for fishermen to catch trophy sized fish, etc.

Many stretches are limited to catch and release and artificial lure and fly only.

If keeping fish is permitted there are often limits on quantity and size of the fish.

The following sections of the South Platte River are designated Gold Medal.

1) The Middle Fork of the South Platte River downstream from U.S. Route 285

and the South Fork of the South Platte River downstream from the outlet at

Antero Reservoir, and from the confluence of the Middle and South Forks of the

S. Platte River downstream to the inlet of Spinney Mountain Reservoir.

2) from the outlet of Spinney Mountain Reservoir downstream to the inlet

of Elevenmile Canyon Reservoir also known as the Dream Stream.

3) from Cheeseman Reservoir Dam downstream to the confluence with the

North Fork of the South Platte River; the confluence of Middle and South

forks downstream to Spinney Reservoir.

The Peak Fly Shop

301 E. Highway 24, Woodland Park, 719-687-9122

Classes, guide service, destination trips, gear, and up-to-date fishing reports!

Spinney Mountain Reservoir

Gold Medal fishing in one of our state parks.

Spinney Mountain is typically open mid-April to mid-November.

Artificial flies and lures only. Some catch and release and bag limits.

Refer to the Colorado Division of Wildlife on current or updated regulations.

A fee or a Colorado State Parks Annual Pass is required for every vehicle.

South Platte River Eleven Mile Canyon

Tail water fishery. Fish for brown and rainbow trout.

The South Platte River flows from Eleven Mile Reservoir into 11 Mile Canyon.

Segments are designated gold medal catch-and-release.

This is a lovely side trip with rock tunnels, huge rock outcroppings,

Pines, firs, and beautiful pools of clear and cold mountain water.

There is a small entrance fee to the canyon.

The fee does not get you into Eleven Mile State Park.

Eleven Mile Canyon is reached from Lake George.

The entrance is just a few miles north of Eleven Mile Reservoir.

Elevenmile Reservoir

Another of Colorado's  great state parks. Fee area.

Fish for trout, salmon, and pike. Year-round fishing tournaments.

11 Mile Marina has boat and equipment rentals.

Eleven Mile State Park is 18 miles from Whispering Pines and 24 from Little Rocky. 

The entrance to the reservoir is reached from Lake George.

Manitou Lake Recreation Area and Picnic Grounds

Just 7.2 miles north of Woodland Park off of Highway 67 North.

42 picnic sites that are open all year, tables, fire pits* and vault toilets.

Cute five-acre fishing lake. Easy to reach. $5.00 day use fee charged per car

*From time to time there are bans on open burning in our state. Inquire.

Pikes Peak Cog Railway

515 Ruxton Avenue, Manitou Springs, Colorado

The Pikes Peak Cog Railway is just under nine miles long and takes three hours

and ten minutes to make the round trip. Plus she runs all year long! Of course, the winter

schedule is much more limited than the balance of the year and the train may not always

go all the way to the top. It depends on how much snow they get. Call and talk to them.

The train departs in Manitou Springs and makes the climb to the top of Pikes Peak Pass

along cascading streams, forests of Engleman Spruce which are sometimes snow covered,

Colorado Blue Spruce and Ponderosa Pines.  It isn't all that unusual to get a few snowflakes

at the summit in August. You will see an area of Bristlecone Pines with some trees estimated

to be 2,000 years old. Bighorn sheep are frequently seen on the trip along with deer and the

Yellow-bellied marmot. The train spends approximately thirty minutes at the top of the

mountain before making the climb down giving you a chance to take terrific photographs. 

Get pricing and schedules at 'www.cograilway.com.  Limited winter excursions.

You can even access their live weather cam from their main web page.

Caution!

This is a trip to a very high altitude.

Do an internet search on altitude sickness or consult your physician

prior to making this trip especially if you have an underlying medical condition. 

Distance from Whispering Pines to the ticket office = 25 miles

Distance from Little Rocky to the ticket office = 19 miles

Royal Gorge Route

in

Another fun train ride is on the Royal Gorge Route in Canon City.

Canon City is south of the cabins and best reached by going through Colorado Springs.

The train takes you through the Royal Gorge and alongside the Arkansas River.

Varying classes of service are offered including coach, glass topped domes, lunch rides,

four course dinner rides, and murder mystery rides among others.

Late May through late October has departures throughout the day.

    ''www.royalgorgeroute.com

Winter months have a limited schedule of departures.

Distance from Whispering Pines to Canon City is 79 miles and 73 miles from Little Rocky.

Cripple Creek & Victor Narrow Gauge

Train departs every forty minutes from mid-May through mid-October.

Enjoy a forty-five minute trip in an open-aired car pulled by an old steam engine.

After that, maybe a little gambling in a casino and a steak dinner at Bronco Billy's.

Get fees, schedules and more information at'''www.cripplecreekrailroad.com.

Horseback Riding in Garden of the Gods 

"Academy Riding Stables"

Academy Riding Stables offers rides through the Garden of the Gods.

The Garden of the Gods is a beautiful city park near Colorado Springs

with towering red rock formations and views of Pikes Peak.

Academy Riding Stables offers rides throughout the summer months and from

Labor Day through about the third week in May you  can take a perimeter ride. 

See updated information at ''www.arsriding.com.

 Garden of the Gods is 29 miles from Whispering Pines and 24 from Little Rocky.

ATV Rentals

Rent an all terrain vehicle from Rockhound ATV Rentals and Sales in Cascade.

They rent both one person and two person ATVS and trailers if you need one.

More information at ''www.rockhoundatv.com.

Rampart Range Motorized Recreation Area

Over 100 miles of riding for off-road fans in the Pike National Forest.

Some of the trails are old stage coach trails.

Downhill Snow Skiing

"Monarch Ski & Snowboard Area"

What a great place to ski and only about 85 miles from the cabins.

Virtually non-existent lift lines and trails you may have to yourself.

Monarch is a friendly and more basic ski area like resorts use to be.

Escape the glitz, expense, and crowds of Breckenridge.

Mountain Statistics

Open approximately November 23rd to April 15th. Depends on snow conditions.

1 day lift ticket - $57    2 day ticket - $110    1/2 day ticket - $42

Base elevation 10,790       Summit elevation 11,952       Vertical drop 1,162

800 skiable acres

63 trails rated 14% easiest, 28% more difficult, 27% most difficult and 31% experts only

Longest run is one mile.

350+ annual inches of snowfall

Snowboarding area, too!

Lessons! Ski rentals.

Walk right from your car to the lifts.

Cut and paste this into your address bar. It is their web cam!

'"''''http://www.dickgilbert.com/colocam-monarch2.htm

'www.monarchski.com

"Ski Cooper"

No glitz here but still beautiful and much, much less expensive than Breckenridge.

If you just want to give skiing a try and you don't care if you are skiing next to a celebrity

then Ski Cooper might be for you and you won't have to hand over your wallet.

Mountain Statistics

Open approximately November 24th to April 8th. Depends on snow conditions.

1 day lift ticket - $44     2 day ticket - $78       1/2 day ticket $33

Base elevation is 10,500 feet.         Summit is 11,700 feet.

Vertical drop of 1,200 feet

400 skiable acres

26 trails with 30% rated beginner, 40% intermediate, 30 expert

250 inches of snow fall on average annually

Longest run is 1.4 miles long

Ski rentals

Lessons! They offer lessons from fun groups to private ones.

Google Ski Cooper Colorado for more information.

"Breckenridge"

 World famous Breckenridge is also not too far for downhill skiing.

Breckenridge usually opens about the first week of November and remains open

through the first week of April. Even if you don't ski, the town of Breckenridge

makes a great day trip. The town is lovely and the scenery is beautiful.

You will also find wonderful shopping and many, many superb restaurants.

Make sure you call the resort to get their prices. As of 9/12/11 I couldn't find them.

  Breckenridge is 90 miles from Little Rocky and 85 miles from Whispering Pines.

Snowmobile Rides

Take a snowmobile tour! Just drive a little to the west.

I've heard back from some very happy people who went to Cottonwood Pass.

Google Cottonwood Pass Snowmobile Rentals or Salida Snowmobile Rentals.

Cottonwood Pass YouTube Video!

Cut and paste this''http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PxHrbkdaS70 into your bar.

Driving Tours

"Gold Belt Tour"

The Gold Belt Tour, a designated Scenic By-Way, is 135 miles long that takes about six

hours to drive. It follows old railroad and stagecoach routes. The route is broken up into

segments with road conditions that vary greatly. Large parts of the tour are unpaved and

narrow with very steep drop offs. Some sections are extremely dangerous in wet or

snowy conditions and may only be passable with a four-wheel drive, if at all.

The roads that go from Canon City through Cripple Creek to the cabins do not

form a short cut. While on the tour you will pass through the town of Cripple Creek

with an elevation of 9,494. It is a National Historic Landmark. Many of the buildings

are over a hundred years old and have been restored and turned into limited

stakes gambling casinos. The country-side is dotted with old mines like the one above

providing excellent photo opportunities.  I took this photo one cold winter morning

with a disposable camera! Colorado often makes a photographer out of everyone.

  If driving the Gold Belt Tour is part of your vacation plans, make certain that your

gas tank is full, spare is inflated, and water is packed along with other safety supplies.

More information at '''www.goldbeltbyway.com.

"Shelf Road"

This mostly unpaved road goes between Cripple Creek and Canon City.

Some people think it is pretty scary because of steep roads and drop offs but it is beautiful.

It takes about 1 1/2 to 2 hours one way. You must, simply must, drive slowly.

The drops offs are sheer ones and some of the rocks are tire slicing sharp.

Take a bit of nerve and lots of film. Send me photos and experiences to share on the web site.

Don't let me scare you. Many do this part of the Gold Belt Tour every year. Just be smart about it.

Would I do it in winter or in the rain? No. Do it in the summer with a full gas tank, extra water, a

cell phone although it likely won't work but you never know, and one of my picnic baskets that you

pack with sandwiches, potato salad and crisp pickles from Joanie's Deli in Woodland Park!

This road is a lot of fun and can be safer if you drive slowly and use common sense.

Watch ahead for approaching cars and then pull over into one of the many pullouts so they can pass.

Mosquito Pass

Near Buena Vista

About ninety miles west of the cabins near Buena Vista.

Don't even think about trying to go over Mosquito Pass when snow covered!

I went in early July one year and we got stuck and had to rely upon the

kindness and tools of strangers to get out. We were lucky they came along.

Red Rocks Woodland Park

Red Rocks of Woodland Park is a small rock outcropping just north of

Woodland Park off of Highway 67 North.

It is small and sweet and maybe a good place for an afternoon picnic.

Pick up a boxed lunch at Joanie's Deli and then head on up.

Agnes Vaille Falls and St. Elmo

There is plenty to see and do in the Pikes Peak region but if you are

planning on spending a week or so in the area and you want to branch out

and spend a day driving about you might want to make the ninety or so

mile trip out to see Agnes Vaille Falls. June and July are probably

the best time to see them. Most of the snow, if not all of it, should have melted

by then and the water flow should be the highest of the year. The trail head is

easy to reach and near the town of Nathrop. It is a short hike that is less

than a mile in length round-trip and climbs only about 455 feet in elevation.

Much of the year it is snow covered. You might want to continue on to

the old town of St. Elmo. Not much remains in St. Elmo but it is a lovely

area to visit. There is even a small company that rents ATVs in the summer.

Keep your gas tank full and remember cell coverage is non-existent.

Donkey Derby Days

June 23 and 24, 2012

Watch this donkey race in it's 79th year.

Enjoy games, entertainment, competitions, street dancing.

Admission is free and usually the last weekend in June.

The Cheyenne Mountain Zoo

The Cheyenne Mountain Zoo in Colorado Springs is home to over 750 animals.

The Zoo claims that their African Rift Valley is as close to Africa as you can

get without a passport and their primate exhibit is the envy of other zoos.

The Cheyenne Mountain Zoo hosts the largest holiday light show in the area

just after the first week in December to the end of the month. They have nearly

one-million lights, over forty animated light sculptures and toasty fires

to warm yourself by. There is a fee to enter Cheyenne Mountain Zoo.

The zoo is 28 miles from Little Rocky and 34 miles from Whispering Pines.

'''www.cmzoo.org

The Bishop's Castle

This is one of my favorite places when I am in the Royal Gorge area. Why? Well, it is

in our gorgeous mountains and off the beaten path. The history of this castle and the

progress on it I have watched over the years as so many worldwide have. Worldwide!

Google Bishop's Castle Colorado to read much more.

Jim Bishop has been building this castle for nearly forty years including hauling the rocks

and welding the iron by himself. It truly is a testament to human perseverance plus a

little of our wild west. "He fought the law and Jim won!". If you are there in winter enjoy

his bonfire, his stories and drop him a few dollars. He is not shy about his politics.

Approximately 120 miles from the cabins in the town of Rye.

Colorado Wolf and Wildlife Center

A one hour educational tour where you will learn all about the wolves

and where these came from. A VIP tour is also offered where you get to interact

more closely with the animals right down to kisses.

It is suggested that you make your required reservations one week in advance.

Located just two miles outside of Divide.

'Get more information at '''www.wolfeducation.org/default.htm

Cave of the Winds 

Cave of the Winds offers cave tours almost every day of the year with a guide that

discusses the interesting geological formations, crystals, stalactites and stalagmites.

The tours are three-quarters of a mile in length and last about forty-five minutes.

it is an interesting tour but I had a hard time with it because in one of the tours I

was bent over at the waist for most of the tour. My back didn't like it. Maybe yours will.

 '''www.caveofthewinds.com

 Cave of the Winds is 24 miles from Whispering Pines and 20 from Little Rocky.

Seven Falls

Entrance to Seven Falls. Lots of trees, big rocks and a babbling brook.

Seven Falls is the only waterfall listed in the National Geographic

list of International Waterfalls. The crashing water is beautiful as it barrels

down 181 feet of granite. Seven Falls is lit for Christmas.

There are interpretative dances in summer, hiking trails, and a snack bar. 

The waterfall is often frozen in winter but still beautiful.

'''www.sevenfalls.com

 Seven Falls is 34 miles from Whispering Pines and 28 from Little Rocky.

Molly Kathleen Gold Mine

Descend a 1,000 foot vertical mine shaft and explore a real gold mine.

The Molly Kathleen Gold Mine was discovered in 1891 and offers

mine tours today that are one hour long and underground.

'''www.goldminetours.com

Gambling in Cripple Creek

Cripple Creek, elevation 9,375, is home to just under twenty gambling casinos.

Most of the casinos are in restored buildings over a hundred years old.

Most open twenty-four hours. Slots, roulette and craps. $100 maximum bets.

Manitou Cliff Dwellings

Prehistoric Native Americans or Anasazis are known for pottery and construction styles.

Homes were built into the sides of cliffs. Some dwellings were only accessible by a rope.

While most ruins are located in the four corners region of Colorado you can visit the

Anasazi cliff dwelling in Manitou Springs. The dwellings are open almost all year.

There is a museum, a gift shop, a nature walk and a snack bar that is open in summer.

 ''''www.cliffdwellingsmuseum.com

Approximately 25 miles from Whispering Pines and about 20 miles from Little Rocky.

Cripple Creek Ice Festival

Held over two weeks in mid-to late February.

For two week in February local ice sculptors come to Cripple Creek to

carve ice blocks into intricate designs. Absolutely beautiful at night!

"The Wilderness Act of 1964"

"In order to assure that an increasing population, accompanied by expanding

settlement and growing mechanization does not occupy and modify all

areas within the United States...leaving no lands designated for preservation

and protection in their natural condition, it is hereby declared to be the

policy of Congress to secure for the American people of present

 and future generations the benefits of an enduring resource of wilderness."

Lost Creek Wilderness Area

Located in the Pike National Forest and spans nearly 120,000 acres.

Lost Creek meanders through the forest and disappears several times in the

granite rock piles only to reappear farther downhill.

Elevation ranges from 8,000 feet to well over 12,000 feet above sea level.

 There are some 100 miles of trails to explore. Lots of wildlife.

Great Sand Dunes Wilderness Area and Zapata Falls

Not exactly in the neighborhood but for those that don't mind a drive you

or for those of you coming up from New Mexico, you might want to include

this area in your plans. These are the tallest sand dunes in North America

rising to 700 feet high and at the base of the Sangres mountains.

Be sure to include Zapata Falls with your Great Sand Dunes trip.

Cruise Above the Clouds

September 2012

The Cruise Above the Clouds Car Show came to exist in 1991.

It now benefits local Colorado charities and is held in Woodland Park.

Come see between 200 and 250 custom or classic cars and motorcycles.

Entertainment, food and vendors and continue on to Cripple Creek.

Miramont Castle

Father Jean Baptiste Francolon had this castle built about 1895.

Experience Victorian times. Beautiful gardens. Unusual rooms. Ghost stories.

  ''''www.miramontcastle.org

Pikes Peak International Auto Hill Climb

Late June.

This race to the top of Pikes Peak is America's second oldest race having been held since 1916.

The likes of Mario Andretti, Al, Bobby and Robby Unser have competed and won.

Usually held about the third weekend in June. Road closes both up and down during the race.

Five miles west of Manitou Springs.

''''www.ppihc.com

Wow!  Cut and paste the link below into your address bar.

'''http://www.eurocarblog.com/post/4612/pikes-peak-hillclimb-all-asphalt-in-2012

Holy cow at the 2:16 mark.

Golfing

US Olympic Training Center