Fremont Center for the Arts

 

Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time.

--Thomas Merton (1915-1968) Author and Monk

The Fremont Center for the Arts has the distinction of being the the oldest privately run art center in the United States. Founded in 1947, the center is now located in the old Post Office Building (built 1933 -- on the National Register of Historic Places) at 505 Macon St. in downtown Cañon City. The Center has a rotating permanent collection, special exhibits throughout the year, educational programs for all ages, and a gift shop. Visit their website for more details.

Royal Gorge Bridge and Park

From 1929 to 2001, the Royal Gorge Bridge held the world record as the highest bridge in the world, crossing the gorge 956 feet above the Arkansas River outside of Cañon City, Colorado. It remains the highest bridge in the United States. The deck of the suspension bridge consists of 1,270 wooden planks which lead visitors 1,270 feet to the other side -- and what a thrilling walk it is. Looking over the edge down into the canyon is a dizzying, awe-inspiring sight. Far below are the rapids of the Arkansas River and the Royal Gorge Railway.

Completed in six months in 1929 at a cost of $350,000, its purpose from the beginning was tourism, not transportation. Since then the bridge has been renovated and strengthened and numerous other attractions added to the 360 acre park:

• Gondolas. I think the most impressive of these are the gondolas which transport visitors 1,200 feet above the river. Each bright red gondola holds eight visitors and the ride is included in the admission price. 
• Sky Coaster. For thrill-seekers, I can't imagine a bigger rush than a free fall on a giant swing 1,200 feet above the Arkansas River capable of reaching speeds of 50 mph. 
• Zip Line. The thrills continue with the zip line. Fly through the air across the canyon on this hands-fee zip line!
• The theater tells the story of the bridge - and the outdoor amphitheater provides opportunities for concerts and shows. 
• Children's playland is complete with slides, tunnels, towers, rope bridges, splash pad and merry-go-round. 

So much more planned in the future! Click here to see the long range plans for the Royal Gorge Bridge and Park area!

The fact that the bridge is here today at all is really a miracle considering the extensive damage the park suffered during a wildfire in 2013. The fire began on the south side of the gorge and proceeded to 'jump the gorge', ultimately destroying 48 out of 52 of the buildings and burning 2,156 acres of the park. The bridge itself emerged relatively unscathed, with only 100 planks suffering damage. Click here to read more about the fire. For photos click here. For video of the damage here. The speed of the rebuilding efforts was  amazing. The new visitor's center is beautifully done. To date, volunteers have planted 10,000 seedling pine trees on park property. Incredibly, the park reopened 14 months after the fire.

The official website of the Royal Gorge Bridge and Park is very well done and a great source of information for anyone planning a visit.

Want to get out and explore the terrain around the park for yourself? Hike the Overlook Loop Trail or the Canyon Rim Trail.

For more on the history of the Royal Gorge Bridge, Part 1 and Part 2. 

Beckwith Ranch

What a stunningly beautiful place! Elton and Elsie Beckwith built this sprawling Victorian home in the 1870s. At one time the ranch was one of the largest cattle operations in the state encompassing 6,000 fenced acres and 3,000 head of cattle.  And to think it all began with two Beckwith brothers moving to Colorado and building a log cabin.  Today's "Mansion in the Mountains" is located northwest of Westcliffe on Highway 69.  The home, recently restored, now hosts community events and is available for weddings. For a history of the ranch, click here. From their Facebook page:

"Set against the dramatic Sangre de Cristo mountain range, the Historic Beckwith Ranch stands as a picturesque reminder of the state's ranching history. With it's signature red roofs and white clapboard siding, the ranch has inspired artists, tourists, brides & grooms and history buffs alike!"

Red Canyon Park

Red Canyon Park (not to be confused with Red Rock Canyon Open Space in Colorado Springs) is a 600 acre park located about 10 minutes north of Cañon City with similar rock formations as found in Garden of the Gods. It's a fantastic area to hike and explore.

To get there head north out of town on Field Ave, eventually it will intersect with Red Canyon Road (also known as Garden Park Road), turn right and drive about 7 miles further and the park will be on your left. Look for the gate you see above, it sits back off the road. For a map showing directions to the park, click here. For a map of the park itself, click here.

I'd highly recommend a high clearance vehicle with four-wheel drive for this one. The road is not well maintained at all and has many deep ruts in it.  I recommend parking near a picnic pavilion and bathrooms (you can't miss them), and walking up the creek bed into the canyon. The creek bed is usually dry and you'll soon encounter many interesting rock formations and narrow canyons (Photos 2 and 3). It's a very fun area to explore.

If you continue to drive on further up the entrance road, you'll find the condition of the road deteriorates even further.  But for those able and willing to continue on, you'll soon come to views of much larger sandstone formations (bottom two photos, left). These are actually on private property, but can be viewed from the road. See the comment below from the landowner. Just to be clear: These formations are not part of the actual park. Respect private property, don't trespass, and just enjoy the views from the road.

Continuing on up the road, you'll find other rock formations that are within the park and accessible on foot. I haven't found any kind of trail map for the park, if you know of one, please put the link in the comments below. There's so much potential at Red Canyon Park -- but I think the condition of the road and the lack of defined trails really are a limitation. Still, if you have a high clearance vehicle, it's a fun and beautiful area to explore.

For a history of the park, click here.

Check out the Gold Belt Scenic Byway website for a great guide to the roads leading to Cripple Creek from the Royal Gorge area.

bloomin' cacti

I have learned the difference between a cactus and a caucus. On a cactus, the pricks are on the outside.
Morris K. Udall (1922-1998) American Congressman (AZ).

Coming from Tennessee, I'm just beginning to learn about the flowers found in Colorado. So please correct me if I have these wrong. I believe the one at the top is Prickly Pear Cactus. And to the right are blooms of the Claret Cup Cactus. These were found along the roadside on Skyline Drive.

Sangre de Cristo Mountains

A large volume of adventures may be grasped within this little span of life, by him who interests his heart in everything.
--David Grayson (1870-1946) American journalist and author.

The Sangre de Cristo mountains (Spanish for 'Blood of Christ') stretch 242 miles from southern Colorado to northern New Mexico. Of the fifty three mountain peaks in Colorado with an elevation of 14,000 feet or more, ten of them are found in the Sangre de Cristo mountain range. The tallest peaks found in New Mexico (all 13,000+ feet) are located in this range as well. The photo above was found west of Westcliffe, CO, while the one below was taken just north of town. Driving in the area around Westcliffe left me utterly speechless, what a gorgeous, glorious place.  [click photos to enlarge].

Arkansas River

Like water, be gentle and strong. Be gentle enough to follow the natural paths of the earth, and strong enough to rise up and reshape the world. 
--Brenda Peterson (b.1950) author.

At 1,469 miles long, the Arkansas River is the 6th longest river in the US. It originates near Leadville, CO and flows through Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma and Arkansas before flowing into the Mississippi River.  Pictured here is the river as it travels through Cañon City. The segment of the river from Granite to Cañon City is renowned for its whitewater rafting, kayaking and fishing.

Adjacent to the river in Cañon City is the Arkansas Riverwalk. Running through the center of town, this fantastic trail is perfect for walking, jogging, biking, birdwatching, and even horseback riding (allowed in one section near John Griffin Park). The hard-packed, crushed rock trail was recently extended to connect with the Tunnel Drive Trail and Pueblo Community College (Fremont Campus). Following an old railroad bed for part of the trail, it extends 7.5 miles from the Tunnel Road in the west to MacKenzie Avenue on the east side of town. Access points with parking (listed from west to east) are found at Tunnel Dr., PCC-Fremont, 1st St., 3rd St/Centennial Park, 9th St./Sells Lake, Reynolds Ave., and MacKenzie Ave. Click here for specific directions to the access points. Click here for a PDF map of the trail.

Tunnel Drive Trail

When you have worn out your shoes, the strength of the shoe leather has passed into the fiber of your body. I measure your health by the number of shoes and hats and clothes you have worn out. 
--Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882) American writer and philosopher.

On the west side of Cañon City is a two-mile 'out and back' trail that parallels the Arkansas River far below, taking visitors into Royal Gorge (but not all the way to the Royal Gorge Bridge). There are hopes and initial plans to link the Tunnel Drive Trail with the recently completed trail at Royal Gorge Park. But even without that extension, the Tunnel Trail is a great way to experience the rugged beauty gorge, to see the river and perhaps catch a glimpse of the Royal Gorge Train.

The trail itself is level, except for the initial switchback from the parking area. You immediately come to three tunnels carved through the granite mountainside. The first two are short, but the third one is very impressive. It's not so long that you need to take a flashlight, but it provides welcome shade and a cool breeze on a hot, sunny day.  Besides the tunnels, you won't find much shade along the way, so this trail is best taken in the morning before the heat of the day sets in. Be sure to take water for your pup. :) After the tunnels, as you continue your walk, you'll eventually cross two wooden bridges before finally reaching the terminus at the two mile mark. [click on photos to enlarge]


Click here for a map of the trail. Another map here.
Click here for a very nice pdf of the trails found in the Cañon City area. It's a bit old, but gives a nice overview of the area. For more up-to-date trail information, check out the JoinFAR website and their Adventure Guide.

Directions: Travel all the way west through Cañon City on Highway 50, just after the major bend in the road (where it turns north) take the first left onto Tunnel Drive. Drive 0.7 miles to the trailhead parking area at the end of the road.

regeneration

The essence of a tragedy, or even of a serious play, is the spiritual awakening, or regeneration, of the hero.

--Maxwell Anderson (1888-1959) American playwright. 

A desolate tree found near Royal Gorge Bridge nearly two years after a forest fire devastated the area. Recently, 7,600 tree seedlings were planted by volunteers bringing hope and regeneration. For my previous post on the Royal Gorge Bridge, the fire and the area's renewal, click here.

Skyline Drive

Looking south

Built in 1905 with prison labor, Skyline Drive is one of the most scenic (and thrilling) drives in Colorado. This very narrow, one-way, three-mile-long road begins west of town and follows the spine of a razorback ridge offering visitors amazing views of Cañon City, the Arkansas River Valley and surrounding mountains. Once on top of the ridge, the heights are dizzying with sheer drop-offs on each side. Fortunately there are numerous pull-offs to let you safely get out and enjoy the views. Cañon City is 800' below.

Looking northwest

At one point you'll find signs pointing out a place where dinosaur prints are embedded in the rocks. They were discovered in 2001. There are also two or three places along the way where you'll find short trails paralleling the road offering unique vantage points. And since it's one-way, it's a great place for joggers and bikers, too.  After traversing the heights of this hogback mountain (as these types of ridges are known), sharp switchbacks will eventually lead you down the eastern side of the ridge, safely depositing you into a residential area of Cañon City not far from the downtown.

Here's a link to a 'hyperlapse' video giving you a quick tour of the road and its awesome views -- it'll also give you a sense of just how narrow and dangerous the road is. Before I went I read some online reviews of Skyline Drive written by visitors clearly unable to take the heights, the narrowness and the drop-offs on either side. This road is not for the faint of heart. Most find it to be exhilarating and the views inspiring -- such a wonderful thing for Cañon City to have a road overlooking the city and the mountains. I can't think of a better introduction to the Royal Gorge region of Colorado!

Downtown Cañon City from above

Nice description of the drive here.  I like their recommendation to not take RVs up there! Very good advice. :)

The Fremont County Historical Commission has developed an excellent guide to Skyline Drive.