I am looking for suggestions for sunrise and sunset locations near Colorado Springs for an upcoming trip at the end of August.
I will be travelling with the family, staying in Green Mountain Falls for a week. My plan is to head to Garden of the Gods for at least a few mornings before spending the days touring with the family for the rest of the days.
Thanks for that suggestion. I know that is one of the places my wife mentioned that we should go see but that will likely be during the day. I could scout it when I am with the family and then take a solo drive out there for sunset.
Likely the best sunset shot of GOG is from the Palmer Trail shooting south as the sun brightens the spires. A popular early morning spot for GOG sunrises is shooting west towards Pikes Peak at the Mesa Overlook on Mesa Road (just off N. 30th St and try to be there before the sun rises to explore all light options).
Other ideas:
Visit the Town of Victor and take the kids to see Rita the Rock Planter. I think they'd enjoy this and she makes a great sunset shot.
A trip to the summit of Pikes Peak via the Cog Railway? If you think you can handle the drive in a personal car you could do that and save some $$.
Eleven Mile Canyon south of Lake George is a pretty canyon with a couple of old railway tunnels.
An evening on Wilkerson Pass.
One of my favorite places is Windy Ridge above Alma (Google it). Alma is about 1.5 hours from Green Mountain Falls and another 30 minutes or so up to Windy Ridge. I've driven the road in my Subaru Crosstrek but if you have a 4x4 (or a Subaru) you'd be better off. It's not a bad road just a slightly steep slope at the end...or you can walk that part of it. You'll be at 12,000' here so if you have any health issues plan accordingly. Some of the most beautiful weather-beaten Bristlecones in Colorado are on this ridge. I've found best light conditions towards sunset (you'll be shooting trees and not sunsets). The family might enjoy exploring South Park City @ Fairplay and there are some family friendly restaurants there. If it was between Windy Ridge and the Paint Mines I'd take the first trip over the latter.
I think you're going to have a nice trip! Just remember that it's been a very dry year here in Colorado so things aren't as green as we are used too. Also, the fires in the west sometimes roll smoke down along the Front Range so some days will be better than others.
Somehow I missed your reply here before we left for our trip. We did take a side trip to Breckenridge on Sunday the 23rd, but had I known about the Bristlecones at Windy Ridge I would have tried to make a point of going there for late day sun.
Overall we did have a great trip, 11 mile canyon, Phantom Canyon road, Garden of the Gods, Royal Gorge. We did horseback riding in the mountains of Terryall, Went to Red Rocks for a concert, drove to Pikes Peak, and more. I have family in Monument too so we had a nice visit and dinner at their house.
