Places in Colorado: Winter in the Garden of the Gods

Basic Information

• What: The Garden of the Gods
• Where: Colorado Springs, Colorado
• Cost: Free
• More Information: Garden of the Gods Website

Narrative

After a recent snowfall here in Colorado Springs I went and took a walk around the Garden of the Gods.  As the below links show, I am a frequent visitor to the Garden of the Gods:

• Colorado Springs – Garden of the Gods in Winter / Christmas (2011)
• Colorado Springs – Garden of the Gods Perimeter Trail
• Colorado Springs – Siamese Twins Trail

As usual the scenery was spectacular with the park’s famous red rock formations coated with a small layer of snow:

I parked my truck on the west side of the park and spent about 30 minutes walking through the Central Garden area of the park:

Winter weather definitely brings out more photogenic images of the park:

Here is a picture I took looking back towards the 14,115 foot summit of Pikes Peak in the center and the 10,707 foot Cameron Cone on the left:

I shot the image in black and white because of how the sun was washing out the view, where as black and white I thought really captured the contrast of the snow on the trees.  By the way you can read more about my past hikes up Pikes Peak and Cameron Cone at the below links:

• Pikes Peak via the Crags Trail
• Pikes Peak via Barr Trail
• Cameron Cone, Colorado

Here is another black and white image I took of the snow on one of the pointed rock formations:

This next pictures is a panorama image I took using my iPhone5S of the park

Here is an even wider angle panorama that shows Pikes Peak to the far left:

Here is one final image of this incredible park where Cheyenne Mountain can be seen rising in the distance:

Conclusion

If you have never visited the Garden of the Gods during the winter time I highly recommend doing so.  First of all the park is no where near as busy as during the summer time and secondly the snow on the rocks and trees really gives the park different character than when seen during the summer months.  The road leading into the park was plowed and the main trails leading to the central garden area were shoveled so access was not a problem.  So for anyone in the Springs fortunate enough to be in town after a snow storm I highly recommend heading over to the Garden of the Gods and experience this truly beautiful winter wonderland for yourself.