Read more about Colorado | Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs Upthrusts of red iron-laced rock rise into the blue sky. I walk among giant slivers head craned upwards. I've seen spectacular
awe-inspiring mountains, and charming layer-cake rock formations, but I have never seen anything like these huge needles growing out of the ground.
Composed of layers of sedimentary rock tilted straight up, the sculptural forms
represent different geological periods from 65,000,000 to 300,000,000 years of history.
Although these grabbed my attention, the Garden of the Gods is filled with
geological history. Everything from desert to swamp has sculpted these formations of ancient sandstones, conglomerates and limestone.
The lure for rock climbers is obvious, and the park accommodates them 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.
Oddly enough, this is a free city park - owned and administered by the city of Colorado Springs. Entrance and exploration is free.
But stop at the visitors center for a map of the park. You can also watch their video, and sign up for tours. There is an extra charge for these
services, but they will add to your knowledge and enjoyment of the experience.
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