Colorado Springs, CO

Sunday was a travel day as we drove to Colorado Springs and the Air Force Academy’s campground. The drive down was very nice. The winds had abated for the most part, and the view of the mountains entertained us through the entire drive. We enjoy this campground since it is very well managed, and there are enough trees to make it feel woodsy without getting in the way of the satellite reception. Actually, we had to move the coach around a bit to get reception, but we eventually got it set up. The only thing that keeps it from being perfect are the trains. There are about a half dozen each night, and they really like their whistle.

This morning we got off to a late start after a less than perfect night sleep. See above. The plan was to take an easy dirt road up into the mountains behind Colorado Springs to find a trail that leads to Mount Baldy. We tried Old Stage Road from behind the Broadmoor Hotel, but were stymied by a closure due to landslides from last month’s flooding rains. Not to be deterred, we took the opportunity to get Nia a nice walk and to enjoy the panoramic views of Colorado Springs and the prairie beyond.

We drove across town and picked up Gold Camp Road, which is another gravel road that would eventually get us to the trail. We got a little further, but eventually ran into the same problem of closure due to damage from the heavy rains. Luckily, there are plenty of alternatives. We decided to try a little harder trail out of Woodland Park. Woodland Park is about thirty minutes west into the mountains. By the time we got there it was lunchtime so we dropped into Sonic for a burger.

Pikes Peak in background

After lunch we headed out for the Schubarth Road trail that winds through forest and large boulders to a point overlooking the Academy from a vantage point 8,400’ above sea level.  We linked up with a young Air Force airman in a nice Ram Power Wagon. His truck was nicely outfitted, but pretty big for the parts of the trail that wound around the large boulders. Particularly on the return there was only about an inch on either side of the truck as he snuck through. We are much narrower and still felt challenged.

Air Force Academy below

It was a terrific day! I have no idea what we are doing tomorrow, but I am sure it will be great. We love this area.