Maroon Peak

Maroon Peak, 14,156 feet, and North Maroon Peak, 14,014 feet, comprise this group of mountains that resemble huge domed bells and are among the most photographed scenes in Colorado. Here the silent, snowcapped Maroon Bells reflect in the tranquil waters below.

The Maroon Bells are two peaks in the Elk Mountains, Maroon Peak and North Maroon Peak, separated by about half a kilometer. The mountains are on the border between Pitkin County and Gunnison County, Colorado, about 19 kilometres southwest of Aspen. The Maroon Bells are composed of Maroon Formation mudstone. Mudstone is weak and fractures readily, giving rise to dangerously loose rock along almost any route.

Thank you Lisa!
Date: July 17

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is located southwest of downtown Colorado Springs, Colorado, on Cheyenne Mountain. Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is home to three mountain lions, Sitka, Adira and Koda, who all came to the Zoo after being rescued as kittens in the wild. Sitka and Adira arrived as orphaned siblings in 2019. Koda was rescued by Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife officers after being found alone on a logging road, and arrived at the zoo in 2020.

Tag: Zoo tag
Date: Feb 8

Crystal Mill

The pituresque Crystal Mill, one of the most photographed sites in Colorado, is precariously perched on an outcropping of rock juszt above the Crystal river and is framed by beautiful aspens and a backdrop of stunning mountains, giving it undeniable visual appeal.

RR: 10x10 RR
Date: OCt 24

Dinosaur National Monument

Lodore Canyon, Green River.
The brooding red Gates of Lodore mark the Green River's entrance into Dinosaur National Monument. This is canyon country. Deep spectacular gorges have been carved to be the Green and Yampa rivers, creating passageways for water, wildlife and human beings.

RR: Views RR
Date: June 29

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo

Bornean orangutans baby Ember with her mother Hadiah in Cheyenne Mountain Zoo. Ember was born in October, 2014. She is the second baby for mother Hadiah and father Tujoh. A few days after Ember’s birth, it became clear that although Hadiah had bonded with her baby, she wasn’t nursing her enough. To protect the baby’s health, the decision was made to have Zoo staff hand-rear the baby while animal keepers intensified their maternal training with Hadiah. Training focused on showing her how to nurse, but also how to present the baby for staff-assisted feedings.After nearly three weeks, the Zoo’s animal care and veterinary staff were confident with the additional training they had done with Hadiah, and decided it was time to have Hadiah try to raise her baby. Ember was placed safely in a bucket and lifted to Hadiah, so she could pick her up through a feeding door in the den. That’s how the baby got her name, Ember means bucket in both the Indonesian and Malaysian languages.

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is located southwest of downtown Colorado Springs, Colorado, on Cheyenne Mountain.

Thanks a lot Christa!
Date: March 1

Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre

From the Trading Post at Red Rocks Park visitors can pick up the Trading Post Loop Hiking Trail. This 1,4 mile trail traverses through spectacular rock formations, valleys and natural meadows of the park.

The park is known for its very large red sandstone outcrops. Many of these rock formations within the park have names, from the mushroom-shaped Seat of Pluto to the inclined Cave of the Seven Ladders. The most visited rocks, around Red Rocks Amphitheatre, are Creation Rock to the north, Ship Rock to the south, and Stage Rock to the east. The red sandstone found throughout Red Rocks Park is geologically identified as belonging to the Fountain Formation.

RR: November Alternative RR
Date: Nov 4

Mesa Verde National Park

Pithouse, Step House Ruin, Mesa Verde NP, Colorado.
Step House Cave contains ruins of two seperate occupations. A modified Basketmaker site, dating approximately  A.D. 626, is located at the base of the ancient stone steps. One can review the remains of four pithouses, one partially restored to simulate its original appearance. The rest of the cave is occupied by the remains of a cliff house dating to the Classic Pueblo period of around A.D. 1226.

Unesco: Mesa Verde National Park
RR: Unesco RR
Date: Oct 16

Colorado

Colorado the Columbine State and home to the Rocky Mountains.
Thanks so much Rasa!
Date: June 12

From Denver

'Queen City of the Plains' or 'City of Mountains'. Denver holds many well-appointed titles, bu is perhaps known best as a first-class urban center, with a worldly mix of cultural attractions, business communities and recreational offerings.

Denver, the capital of Colorado, is an American metropolis dating to the Old West era. Larimer Square, the city’s oldest block, features landmark 19th-century buildings. Museums include the Denver Art Museum, an ultramodern complex known for its collection of indigenous works, and the mansion of famed Titanic survivor Molly Brown. Denver is also a jumping-off point for ski resorts in the nearby Rocky Mountains.

Thanks a lot Ana!

Date: Sept 10

Colorado

From Colarodo, a western US state with a diverse landscape of arid desert, river canyons and snow-covered Rocky Mountains, which are partly protected by Rocky Mountain National Park. Elsewhere, Mesa Verde National Park features Ancestral Puebloan cliff dwellings. Perched a mile above sea level, Denver, Colorado’s capital and largest city, features a vibrant downtown area.

Thanks a lot Michelle!
Date: July 21

Garden of the Gods

Kissing Camels. Erosion of Red Rock Cliff formed Kissing Camels, a popular sandstone formation along the roadside Garden of the Gods. Over millions of years the extremes of ice and heat, wind and water, have created nature's intricate and stunning artwork found throughout this remarkable place.

Garden of the Gods is a public park located in Colorado Springs, Colorado. It was designated a National Natural Landmark in 1971.
Thanks a lot for this interesting swap Christa!
Date: July 20

Colorado Springs Sunrise

Pikes Peak is the conspicuous and breathtaking peak at the southern end of the Rocky Mountains' front rage rises 14,110 feet above sea level. Visitors can ascend its ramparts by horseback, cog railway or automobile. The peak was discovered in 1806 by Zebulon Montgomery Pike, first climbed in 1820, and immortalized by Katherine Lee Bates who wrote 'America the Beautiful' after seeing its grandeur.

Colorado Springs is the largest city in Colorado and is located near the base of Pikes Peak, which 4,302 m above sea level on the eastern edge of the Southern Rocky Mountains.

Thanks a lot Christa!
Date: July 20