Section 16 Palmer Red Rock Loop

Date: 10/21/2012
Who: Sammy and myself
Length: 5.5 miles
Time: 1.6 hours
Weather: 65 degrees F, sunny

Sammy and I knocked out the Section 16 loop this morning with good time. I felt pretty good. More specifically, my left foot and right ankle felt pain-free for the first time in months. One thing that helped was deeper breathing.

This hike followed the BLUE line:

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Almagre Mountain with Chance

Date: 10/16/2012
Who: Chance, Sammy and myself
Distance: about 10 miles
Time: 5.5 hours
Weather: sunny, cool

My brother Chance joined me for this hike of my favorite peak near Colorado Springs. We made it to both peaks of Almagre Mountain: the north peak at 12,367′ and the south peak at 12,349′. On the north peak, we watched a group of soldiers (probably Army Special Forces) land in a Blackhawk helicopter, and then disappear over the side of a steep ridge. We also encountered a group of 6 or so motorized ATV and dirt bikes. This second group was apparently employees of Colorado Springs Utilities, inspecting the Seven Lakes watershed.

It was a very pleasant day with relatively low wind. On the way down, we took a shortcut to try to make better time, but then could not find the trail where I expected it! Once again, I should have taken it a little slower and referred to my map more often.

I really enjoyed spending the day with Chance. I don’t get to see him nearly often enough.

Chris and Chance, Pikes Peak and training soldiers in background

Chance’s camera has a nifty panorama function:

This hike followed the RED line:

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Cheyenne Mountain Zoo and Will Rogers Shrine

Date: 10/15/2012
Who: Erin, Cordelia, Chance, and myself
Distance: about 2 miles
Time: about 4 hours
Weather: sunny, cool

The Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is most well-known for its herd of giraffes. The giraffe pen has a walkway that locates us visitors at head-level for the animals, and the zoo allows interaction with them. One giraffe sneezed on us–yuck!

After the zoo, we drove up to the Will Rogers Shrine. They have improved the shrine since the last time I have visited, which was probably 12+ years ago. The shrine is in great shape, and the stairway to the top observation deck is open.

Location of the Zoo, and the road to the shrine:

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