Pikes Peak, Colorado

The last time we were in Colorado Springs, which was early October 2018, we attempted to drive to the top of Pikes Peak.  Unfortunately, an early snow storm in the area kept us from traveling further than the half-way point.  

Pikes Peak, located in Pike National Forest and just 12 miles west of downtown Colorado Springs, is the highest summit of the southern Front Range of the Rocky Mountains.   With an elevation of 14,115 feet, Pike's Peak is one of Colorado's famous "fourteeners."  The mountain is named in honor of American explorer Zebulon Pike who, ironically, never made it to the summit!

Unlike Zebulon, we DID reach the summit on our September 2019 trip to Colorado Springs!

Cog rails on the top of Pike's Peak

Dedication to Zebulon Pike at the top of the summit

Before driving up the mountain we checked into riding the Manitou and Pike's Peak Railway, the world's highest cog railroad operated from Manitou Springs to the summit.  Unfortunately, the railway is going through renovations and temporarily closed.  This would be the first of three areas on the mountain that we found under construction.

One of many switch backs along the road to the summit

Last of the tree line as we neared the summit.  A little snow/ice still left on the side of the mountain.

Can you find the rock climbers?

When we stopped at the gates to pay our entrance fee we were told that we could not drive all the way to the top because of the construction and that we would have to park at one of the stopping points and take a shuttle to reach the summit.  When we explained that we Remi with us, and didn't want to leave a young pup in a hot vehicle alone we were given a pass to drive to the top!

There are several visitor centers on Pike's Peak which have gift shops and/or restaurants.  We stopped at the visitor center at Crystal Reservoir and visited the gift shop.  This looked a lot different than when we were there in 2018 as there is construction on the dam of the reservoir and most of the water had been drained. After a quick break we headed on to the summit itself.

Someone volunteered to take our picture.  I'm glad we didn't break the camera!

The summit house REALLY needs an update.  Glad it is under construction!

We found the big fellow at the summit house!

At the top of the summit we found more construction as a new summit house is being built.  We were still able to take in the views and to visit the gift shop where we indulged in one of Summit House's special doughnuts which they fry up to 700 per hour.  We bought 3 doughnuts - 2 to try on the summit and 1 to see what would happen if we transported it to lower altitudes.  Supposedly, the doughnuts collapse or go mush when taken off the mountains but we didn't notice a change.

Pike Peak's famous doughnuts

Even though the view from the top was spectacular.....the air was thin and altitude sickness was creeping in.  It was time to get to lower altitudes!

Cheyenne Mountain State Park, Colorado

After breaking down camp in Palo Duro Canyon we made our way to Colorado where we would stay three nights at our favorite campground in Colorado Springs, Cheyenne Mountain State Park.

Those amazing windmills just north of Amarillo, Texas

Rain clouds developing near Mount Capulin, New Mexico

Helicopter rescue of possible hiker near Raton Pass.  We could find no information on what was taking place.

Rain clouds near Raton Pass and where we saw the lighting strike

Along the way it looked like we were going to get into some unpredictable mountain weather around Raton Pass, in New Mexico, with strange rain clouds forming in front of us.  We even witnessed a lighting strike directly on the highway in front of us however we continued traveling towards Colorado Springs with only brief sprinkles.

Cheyenne Mountain is located just south of Colorado Springs off of Highway 115 and the J.L. Ranch Heights Road. Directly east of the park lies Fort Carson Military Base. You're reminded twice a day just how close the base is to the park when you hear Taps at night and Reveille in the morning!  We've heard some people complain about the noise, however, we think it is just amazing!

Cheyenne Mountain is home to NORAD, a Boy Scout Camp, and the Broadmoor's Cloud Camp

Beautiful Cheyenne Mountain looking over the park

The park has a wonderful visitors center where you can learn about the park's diverse natural resources while taking in an amazing view. The park offers day use picnicking sites, 61 campsites, an archery range and 20 miles of trails open to hiking, biking and wildlife viewing.

Small trail leading out of our campsite

#5 Raptor Glen Campsite

Our new campsite flag

Last of the night time photography on this trip.  We would have clouds the each night there after.

When we checked in at the vistors' center we were warned that a large black bear had been spotted in the area.  Even though signs are scatted throughout the park warning visitors of the dangers of bears and mountain lions we did a very stupid thing and left our small propane grill unattended while we were away.  Once we returned we were greeted with a ranger notice warning that we were in violation and we needed to store the grill when we were not occupying our site.

Sunrise the morning of our second stay looking over the lights of Colorado Springs

Sunrise the third morning of our stay.  Caught this hot air balloon taking off over Colorado Springs.

The morning we left Cheyenne Mountain, sad!

So, this clean, level, full hookup campsite would be our home base for the next three days and we continued our adventures in the Colorado Springs area!

Palo Duro Canyon State Park, Texas

It was time for a much over due road trip so we loaded up our new Fun Finder Cruiser (her inaugural trip), outfitted it with a custom tire cover and stickers from the #rvstickerclub, and headed west towards Colorado Springs in search of cooler temps. 

Juniper Campsites in Palo Duro Canyon

Nice level sites of Juniper Campsites, however, watch out for those rocks.  They're hard to see from the truck!

Our custom tire cover and a few of the stickers we've traded in the #RVstickerclub

We decided to break up our travel with an overnight stay in Palo Duro Canyon State Park.  Being that Amarillo, Texas, is TK's hometown she is always longing for a camping trip back to her stomping grounds of the 2nd largest canyon in the United States!

Another thing that TK is always longing for is a delicious pizza from her favorite pizza joint in Amarillo, Pizza Planet.  Before heading to the canyon we made a pit stop at Pizza Planet for takeout - a well deserved dinner after a long road trip!

We made it to the bottom of Palo Duro Canyon around 5:00 p.m. and in 95 degree temps.  Thank goodness for an RV with awesome air conditioning!  After camp was setup we dined on reheated pizza and salad and then headed outdoors for a little hike once the sun started going down.

A cave you can explore in the canyon.  Unfortunately some of the trails were closed because of heavy rains the night before so we didn't hike that far.

Beautiful colors of Palo Duro Canyon

Remi said that red dirt was too hot for his puppy pads!

That night, while fighting off ever bug in Palo Duro Canyon, we attempted a little night time photography.  With a completely cloud free sky we had the perfect conditions to capture the milky way.  The sky was so dark and there were so many stars out that it looked as if someone had covered the top of the canyon with Christmas tree light netting!

The Milky Way as seen from Palo Duro Canyon 8/31/19

We slept well in the first night of our new Fun Finder.  The next day we packed up and took off for the mountains.....in search of cooler temps again!

We stopped at a few points on our way out of the canyon to take in the scenery

Almost to the top rim of the canyon

Remi says goodbye from Palo Duro Canyon State Park!

Next stop...Cheyenne Mountain State Park, Colorado Springs, Colorado!