Denver Diaries: Conquering Pikes Peak and Stargazing in the Mile High City | Part IV
Day 4: From Peaks to Stars: Exploring Colorado Springs and Beyond
Today is the day I’m most excited for! Right after waking up, I get ready, pack my belongings, check out of Hostel Fish, and leave my bags with them for storage. Then, it’s time to head to Union Station for my Colorado Springs excursion. This small group tour includes 15 people, including our guide, Jason. I promise you, some of the most interesting people live in Colorado!
The drive from Denver to Colorado Springs takes about an hour, and Jason assures us we’re in good hands. He’s been driving professionally for most of his life, has visited nearly all 50 states, and has even led snowmobile tours in Alaska. As the only solo traveler, I got to sit up front as co-pilot, where he shared more of his Alaskan adventures. I’d never thought of visiting Alaska before due to the freezing temperatures, but after hearing his stories, I’m inspired to travel a bit out of my comfort zone. Who knows, maybe you’ll see me there one day!
Once we arrive in Colorado Springs, we’re greeted by signs for Garden of the Gods. This 1,341-acre public park, known for its stunning natural rock formations, was designated a National Natural Landmark in 1971. As we drive deeper into the park, we see one of its most famous features: the “Kissing Camels,” two identical rocks that resemble—you guessed it—kissing camels.
We were given some time to hike and enjoy the park’s beauty. I saw people of all ages enjoying nature, from families with young children to groups of teenagers and international travelers. But I must warn you: it’s hot! Sunscreen and UPF protection are a must since shade is scarce. With 21 miles of trails, I couldn’t explore everything, but I did witness a group of people starting to free-climb the rocks—how cool! However, climbing isn’t allowed without a permit, as some rocks are too fragile or slippery to be safe.
On the way to Manitou Springs, we stopped by Balanced Rock, a must-see before leaving the park. Jason told us a funny story about a massive traffic jam caused by an April Fool’s joke, where a radio station falsely reported that Balanced Rock had fallen on a reckless monster truck. That rock isn’t going anywhere—especially not with me holding it up for a picture!
Manitou Springs is a charming town located at the base of Pikes Peak. It’s famous for its healing mineral waters that flow naturally underground. We had some time to explore the town, and I was starving, so I headed to Sahara Café, a Mediterranean spot that offers vegan options. I ordered a falafel wrap with fries and a sage iced tea, all for just $15, including tip. The food was delicious, and it seemed like a local favorite since the café was packed!
Jason had mentioned the mineral water fountains scattered around town, so I decided to give it a try. At first, I was hesitant—unfiltered water from a public fountain didn’t sound appealing—but I was pleasantly surprised! The water is naturally carbonated from the minerals, almost like San Pellegrino, and I ended up really enjoying it.
As I strolled back to our meeting point, I stopped by a shop called Salus, which sells handcrafted bath and body products. I’d run out of perfume and asked the salesperson if they made any in-store. They had so many scents to choose from! I asked for a recommendation, and the salesperson suggested a mix of espresso and vanilla cream, which smells just like a vanilla latte. I couldn’t resist! In less than a minute, I had a custom-made perfume for only $13. Now I get to smell like a latte every day. "It's that Me Espresso!"
From there, we were off to Pikes Peak. At an elevation of 14,115 feet above sea level, I made sure to avoid alcohol the night before to prevent altitude sickness. The drive to the top takes about an hour, and Jason kept us entertained with more stories—including one about Bigfoot sightings in the area. We even passed a “Bigfoot Crossing” sign!
As we ascended, the temperature dropped dramatically. We started off at 95°F, but as we climbed higher, it got colder and colder. By the time we reached the top, there was snow on the ground, even though it had been sweltering just an hour earlier. At the summit, we were treated to incredible views—on a clear day, you can see five states: New Mexico, Kansas, Nebraska, Wyoming, and Oklahoma. Nature is truly amazing!
However, you can definitely feel the effects of the altitude at the top. I felt a bit light-headed and out of breath, like breathing through a paper bag. The gift shop at the top had some fun souvenirs, including a Bigfoot shot glass that I couldn’t pass up for my collection.
After sprinting back to the van (which is no easy feat at high altitude), we learned that someone in our group was suffering from altitude sickness, so we needed to head back down quickly. The only cure is to get to a lower elevation, and sure enough, the person started feeling better as we descended. At a checkpoint, park rangers even checked the temperature of our brakes to ensure they wouldn’t fail on the way down—safety first!
An hour later, we arrived back at Union Station, and I made sure to tip Jason for his excellent guiding and safe driving (always tip your guides!). I returned to Hostel Fish for the last time to grab my belongings before heading to my next stay: 11th Ave Hostel in Capitol Hill.
Capitol Hill has a completely different vibe from Lower Downtown. It’s home to government buildings and museums, including the Molly Brown House Museum. If you’re familiar with the movie *Titanic*, Molly Brown was portrayed by Kathy Bates, and in real life, she survived not only the Titanic but several other shipwrecks as well.
After checking into my new hostel, I was thrilled to have my own room for the night! It came with a queen-sized bed, sink, towels, mirror, small closet, and TV, with shared restrooms down the hall.
Next up was an astronomy tour at a park in the middle of Denver. I’d been looking forward to this all day. We learned about astronomy, explored constellations, and heard stories from various cultures. At the end of the presentation, the guide brought out three telescopes, including a high-tech digital one that could automatically locate objects in the sky. While the light pollution made stargazing a bit tricky, we still managed to see nebulas, distant stars, and even Mercury. It’s incredible how small you feel when you’re looking at the vastness of space.
As I made my way back to the 11th Ave Hotel and Hostel, a bittersweet feeling started to settle in. Tonight marks my last night in Denver, but with one more full day ahead, there’s still so much left to explore before I have to say goodbye. From standing at the breathtaking heights of Pikes Peak to gazing at the stars through telescopes, today has been truly unforgettable. Now it’s time to rest up for one final adventure in the Mile-High City, and I can't wait to see what tomorrow has in store!
Comments
Post a Comment