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Cottonwood, AZ
$13.00
Title
Garden Of The Gods
Artist
Bob and Nadine Johnston
Medium
Photograph - Photograph
Description
Notice the difference between the Woman and Balancing Rock.
Entrance to the park is free according to the wish of Charles Elliott Perkins, whose children donated the land to the city of Colorado Springs in 1909.
The Garden of the Gods Park brings a lot of opportunities to the city of Colorado Springs by its varied recreational features. The park is popular for hiking, technical rock climbing, road and mountain biking and horseback riding. It attracts more than two million visitors a year and becomes the city�s most visited park. There are more than 15 miles of trails with a 1.5 mile trail running through the heart of the park that is paved and wheelchair accessible. Annual events including two summer running races, recreational bike rides and Pro Cycling Challenge Prologue also take place in this park.[2]
It contains numerous trails for hiking, walking, mountain biking and horseback riding. One of the most popular trails, named Perkins, has been paved in an effort to combat the erosion of the park's central garden caused by its numerous visitors. Visitors receive frequent reminders to watch out for rattlesnakes in the hot days of summer.
Because of the unusual and steep rock formations in the park, it is an attractive goal for rock climbers. Rock climbing is permitted, with annual permit obtained at the Garden of the Gods Visitor and Nature Center. The only requirements are reading the rules, proper equipment, climbing with a "buddy", and staying on established climbing routes. Due to the often unstable conditions of the sandstone�particularly after much precipitation�several fatalities have occurred over the years. This is a very popular bicycle-riding area because of the scenic views, safe one-way recently paved roads, and healthy clean air.
The Garden of the Gods Park is a rich ecological resource. Retired biology professor Richard Beidleman notes that the park is "the most striking contrast between plains and mountains in North America" with respect to biology, geology, climate, and scenery. Dinosaur species Theiophytalia kerri was found in the park in 1878, and studies of the skull in 2006 reveal it to be a new species. A honey ant never before recorded was also discovered in 1879 and named for the park. Mule deer, bighorn sheep, and fox abound in this area. The park is also home to more than 130 species of birds including white-throated swifts, swallows and canyon wrens.
Uploaded
June 17th, 2012
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Viewed 2,635 Times - Last Visitor from New York, NY on 03/16/2024 at 7:08 PM
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Gilbert, AZ - United States
Powerful image. A literal reminder how small we are compared to nature. V.
Greensboro, NC - United States
Spectacular capture, like the person next to this Rock, gives the size perspective, f/v.
Chicago, IL - United States
Saw this one and had to pop in for a visit! :) Beautiful lighting and amazing image as well as history behind this park! Wonderful! v/f/p/t/fb and G+
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