Mini Tour

Majestic Heights

Our AAA Mini Tour this month explores

The towering rock formations at Garden of the Gods, in Colorado Springs, are most dramatic in the early morning and late afternoon sunlight. Credit: PIKES PEAK COUNTRY ATTRACTIONS ASSN.

the majestic attrac- tions of the Pikes Peak region, the gold-mining towns of Cripple Creek and Victor, the depths of the Royal Gorge and several stops in between. To cover all the sights in this tour, plan to stay overnight and make it a weekend getaway.

We begin our tour in the Pikes Peak region, in and around Colorado Springs. The area has a wealth of natural and man-made attractions, so you're sure to find something to please everyone-from the looming peak to the U.S. Air Force Academy to Garden of the Gods.

Featuring dramatic red sandstone formations jutting from the earth, the Garden of the Gods is a Registered National Landmark just west of Colorado Springs. To get to the park from Interstate 25, take the Garden of the Gods Road exit west to the road's end, and turn left on 30th Street. Follow the signs to the Visitor Center on the left. "The Gods," as locals call it, is a favorite spot for climbers, mountain bikers and geologists. After stopping at the Visitor Center, walk along some of the trails that weave through the wind-carved towers. To continue on the drive, follow Gateway Road through the park (about 2.5 miles) until you reach the town of Manitou Springs, at the base of Pikes Peak. Manitou Springs is the site of the mineral springs that give the town-and Colorado Springs-its name, which is a Native American word for "spirit." A National Historic District, Manitou Springs is home to numerous local antique and art shops along Manitou Avenue. For a guided tour of the springs or more information, call the Manitou Springs Chamber of Commerce.

It was from the heights of Pikes Peak (el. 14,110 feet) that Katharine Lee Bates penned "America the Beautiful." If you want to see the "purple mountain majesties" that inspired her, drive to the summit via the Pikes Peak Highway. To reach the Highway from Manitou Springs, take Hwy. 24 about 4 miles west. There is a sign for the tollgate on the left as you enter the town of Cascade. The 38-mile round-trip drive has 156 turns in the course of its nearly 7,000-foot climb to the summit. There is a fee of $10 per person or $35 per carload, and the round-trip drive takes about two hours. There is a snack bar at the summit to reward you once you've pried your knuckles from the wheel.

From Pikes Peak Highway, head to Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument. Take Hwy. 24 west for 35 miles, past Pikes Peak, through Woodland Park and Divide, to the tiny town of Florissant. Turn south on County Rd. 1 and drive 3 miles to the entrance to the monument, on the right. Researchers have discovered more than 60,000 individual fossils at the fossil beds that were formed by volcanic activity 35 million years ago. Each year, paleontologists discovered more fossils, which are on display at the Visitor Center. Also available are brochures on the park's 10 miles of wheelchair-accessible, self-guided trails. Admission to the monument is $2 per person, and children are admitted free.

From the monument continue south on County Rd. 1 approximately 17 miles to the town of Cripple Creek, where the streets are literally paved with gold-a low grade of gold ore. A former gold-mining mecca, Cripple Creek and its atmosphere have changed dramatically since the limited-stakes gaming casinos hit town in the '90s. Visitors can take a ride back in time on the Cripple Creek & Victor Narrow Gauge Railroad, whose coal-burning steam locomotive winds among abandoned gold mines. Call ahead for reservations.

From Cripple Creek head south 6 miles to Victor, an old mining town with an Old West atmosphere, where more than 300 buildings from Victor's early days still stand. Although Cripple Creek is famous for its gold mining, Victor actually produced more of the area's gold, and was once known as the "City of Gold."

From Victor head south on Phantom Canyon Road (County Rd. 86), a scenic and historic byway that is part of the Gold Belt Tour. The narrow, gravel road has many blind curves and requires slow, cautious driving. Allow about two hours for this leg of the Mini Tour. The road weaves along the old narrow-gauge Florence & Cripple Creek Railroad in the canyon and steadily loses more than 4,000 feet in elevation in the 31 miles en route to Hwy. 50.

At Hwy. 50, head west to the Royal Gorge, located 8 miles west of Caņon City. The enormous, 1,053-foot-deep gorge, known as the Grand Canyon of the Arkansas, is best viewed from the world's highest suspension bridge. Admission to the park and the many attractions, including an aerial tram, is $14 for adults and $12 for seniors and children. Show your AAA card for a $2 discount. An alternative for viewing the canyon is the Royal Gorge Route, a railroad that winds between the steep granite walls along the most famous portion of the old Denver & Rio Grande Western train line. The train departs at 9 a.m., noon and 3 p.m. until October 7, when tours are scaled back. Call ahead for reservations.

From Caņon City take Hwy. 50 east 11 miles to Route 115, and head north, 36 miles back to Colorado Springs to relax after your mountain adventures. There are many museums, restaurants and shops in the Springs' downtown area. Before you leave town, stop at the U.S. Air Force Academy, just north of Colorado Springs. From I-25 take exit 150B (Academy Blvd.). Take a short walking tour of the campus, learn a thing or two at the informative Barry Goldwater Visitor Center, and be sure to see the famous chapel-an architectural delight.