Crichmond Loc: Loveland, CO

Garden of the Gods (Colorado Springs, Colorado) — Designated a National Natural Landmark in 1971.

Naranjo, a historian and member of the Moache band of the Southern Ute said, “My people feel our spiritual way of life started here. This is where we resided; this is where our elders grew up.”

Ute tradition on the origin of the rocks in the Garden of the Gods:

In the nestling vales and on the grassy plains which lay at the foot of the Great White Mountain that points the way to heaven lived the Chosen People. Here they dwelt in happiness together. And above them on the summit of the Mighty Peak where stand the Western Gates of Heaven, dwelt the Manitou.

And that the Chosen People might know of his love the Manitou did stamp upon the Peak the image of his face that all might see and worship him....

But one day as the storm clouds played about the Peak, the image of the Manitou was hid...And down from the North swept a barbaric tribe of giants, taller than the spruce which grew upon the mountain side and so great that in their stamping strides they shook the earth.

And with the invading host came gruesome beasts - unknown and awful in their mightiness- monstrous beasts that would devour the earth and tread it down....

And as the invading hosts fell upon the Chosen Ones, the Chosen Ones fell to the earth at the first gentle slope of the mountain and prayed to Manitou for aid. Then came to pass a wondrous miracle, the clouds broke away and sunshine smote the Peak, and from the very summit, looking down, appeared the face of Manitou himself. And stern he looked upon the advancing host, and as he looked the Giants and the beasts turned into stone within their very steps.... And when the white men came they called the spot the Garden of the Gods...but we who know the history of the race still call it ‘Valley of the Miracle,’ for here it was that Manitou gave aid to save his chosen.

How it was named:

In 1859, the Garden was named by two surveyors who were laying out the town of Colorado City, south of the Park. As they were riding their horses through the Garden, Malancthon Beach remarked the place would be a “capital place for a beer garden.” Rufus Cable replied, “Beer Garden! Why it is a place fit for the gods to assemble. We will call it “Garden of the Gods.”

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HEART Loc: God's Country - COLORADO

Beautifully captured!! Great angle.

Crichmond Loc: Loveland, CO

Thanks!

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

Nicely done.
--Bob

Crichmond Loc: Loveland, CO

Thank you!

DMGill Loc: Colorado

I like the angle of the light and the dark clouds. They give the rocks shape and set them off nicely. Good job!

Crichmond Loc: Loveland, CO

Thank you!

vicksart Loc: Novato, CA -earthquake country

Beautiful shot and light.

Crichmond Loc: Loveland, CO

Thank you!

Nikonian72 Loc: Chico CA

This is a powerful image. I love the texture, and the weather. Well seen, and well captured.

John N Loc: HP14 3QF Stokenchurch, UK

I really liked Garden of the Gods when we visited. I walked back to our accommodation and listened to all the rattlers but never saw one. Couldn't believe the no. of people poking sticks in bushes trying to antagonise them.

dennis2146 Loc: Eastern Idaho

I have lived close to Garden of the Gods for years. This is one of the nicest photographs of the area I have seen. Well done.

Dennis

roder10 Loc: Colorado Springs

Very nice image and glad you told the story of the Ute's. We have prayer trees around this area that were shaped by the Ute's on their travels. You might be interested in them.

Crichmond Loc: Loveland, CO

Thank you!

Crichmond Loc: Loveland, CO

I've lived in Colorado my whole life, and yes there are rattlesnakes in the west and in the east. I've seen them, but avoid them, mostly just leave them alone. Unfortunately, as the population grows there are more and more encounters with the snakes as we venture out into their habitat. Thanks for the comment! and Thanks for looking!