~~High Country Happenings
Welcome to the Pikes Peak High Country
From the sophistication and culture of Colorado Springs and Denver to the rugged isolation of the Lost Creek Wilderness, the High Country offers the finest recreational opportunities in Colorado.
Where else to start but America's mountain, Pikes Peak, the most visited peak in North America. Enjoy the scenic drive to the 14,110 ft. top, or take the more leisurely cog railroad www.pikes_peak.com} from Manitou Springs to enjoy the incredible splendor of the "America the Beautiful" birthplace. Spend a day strolling through Garden of the Gods or exploring Cave of the Winds or Seven Falls. Then head up Ute Pass to the High Country.
You'll find activities for the whole family here. Featuring the 3 million acre Pike and San Isabel National Forest www.fs.usda.gov the High Country has thousands of miles of trails for horse, ATV or hiking, all easily accessible from county maintained roads. Day trips abound, with fascinating and educational destinations like the High Creek Fen www.parkcountyheritage.com or South Park City {+http://www.southparkcity.org}within driving distance.
Gone Fishing? The High Country boasts some of the world's finest. Bring the boat and put in at 11 Mile or Spinney Mountain Reservoir for brown and cutthroat trout. parks.state.co.us Slip into your hip-waders and head for the Dream Stream, the South Platte River between 11 Mile and Spinney, for unbelievable fly-fishing. The South Platte leaves 11 Mile Reservoir and travels through scenic 11 Mile Canyon, coloradotrouthunters.com a state fee area, to Lake George; a great family day-trip with picnic areas and campgrounds available. It's also a fly-fisherman's dream come true! There are several sub-divisions with private fishing available, including man-made, stocked lakes as well as Lake George or South Platte river access.
Call your High Country Realty broker for more information on our numerous listings in these areas.
Travel north on CR 77 into the Tarryall Mountains and the Lost Creek Wilderness. Featuring campgrounds like Spruce Grove, www.recreation.gov a rival to Yosemite on a smaller scale, there are spectacular hiking trails, dude ranches with horse-back trips from 1/2 day to weeks, an underground cave system to explore, even a lost gold mine to find. Float tubing is a popular summer activity along Tarryall Creek, too.
Rock hounds love the High Country. World famous Crystal Peak in Lake George is the source of smoky quartz, amazonite and topaz crystals. Lake George hosts an annual Gem and Mineral Show as well as an antique tractor pull.
You can still strike it rich in Cripple Creek, an historic mining town built by gold, which is not only still actively mined, it now boasts 24 hour casinos in the converted brick buildings of another century. Slots, Poker, Craps and Roulette are all available. Many of the casinos include guest rooms and fine dining, and shops and a great museum are located along the main street. There are mine tours available, take the scenic drive to nearby Victor, CO, an un-restored mining town.
If skiing is your favorite recreation, take your pick of several ski areas that are only an hours drive from the High Country. Go north to Breckenridge or west and south to Monarch for the day. On your way home to your cabin in the High Country, stop and soak in a creekside pool at Mt Princeton Hot Springs Resort or visit Cottonwood Hot Springs. Enjoy a long soak in some of Mother Nature's finest waters, hot out of the earth, then dine in Beuna Vista before the short drive across South Park and "home".
Just think..if you had a cabin here, you'd be there now!
No matter what your interests, you can find fun and adventure here in the beautiful Pikes Peak High Country.
Your LOCAL Florissant CO Realtor
Your LOCAL Florissant CO Realtor
Your LOCAL Florissant CO Realtor