Elevenmile Canyon Scenic & Historic Auto Tour
1 giorno / 10 miglia / 46 minuti
Elevenmile Canyon is managed by the USDA Forest Service to protect its rich natural resources and historic sites, and to provide public recreation. The focal point along this route is the South Platte River which begins high above Fairplay and flows in a southeasterly direction across South Park. Below Elevenmile Reservoir, the river turns northeast and cuts into the Pikes Peak batholith - a large mass of igneous rock. Originally called "Granite Canyon," the towering walls are composed of Pikes Peak granite that have been polished gray from years of weathering. In places the canyon rises dramatically 500 feet above the river.
Giorno 1
Originally known as "Rocky," the town of Lake George had its beginnings as a stage stop between Colorado Springs and Leadville. George Washington Frost moved to the area in 1886 to raise cattle after selling his box factory in Boston. The next year he built a dam on the South Platte River which became known as George’s Lake. Ice was cut from the lake to refrigerate railroad box cars filled with fruits and vegetables. When a post office was established in 1891, the town name was changed to Lake George.
9:05 - 2.3 miglia / 9 minuti - 9:14
Lidderdale was a spur off the Midland line where a telegraph device was once located. Named after William Lidderdale, Governor of the Bank of England, the property is now part of the Camp Alexander Boy Scout Camp.
In 2004 the Trees for Trout Program placed dead ponderosa pines from the Hayman Fire area to increase trout habitat near the Lidderdale site. Here, partially submerged trees along a thousand feet of river benefit fish and anglers alike.9:19 - 0.5 miglia / 2 minuti - 9:21
O'Brien Gulch Picnic Area is the first of four picnic sites that are located in the Eleven Mile Canyon Recreation Area. There are two picnic sites here and each is equipped with a grill and a picnic table.
9:26 - 0.6 miglia / 3 minuti - 9:29
Elevenmile fishing site is located at the mouth of Elevenmile Canyon just below the old dam site. There are vault toilets and tables available for use.
9:34 - 0.4 miglia / 1 minuto - 9:36
About 2.8 miles into the canyon, Elevenmile Dome is one of many named granite outcrops. Others include Arch Rock, Turret Dome, Rock of Ages and the Fortress, to name a few. Nearly 100 different routes have been established here since rock climbing began in earnest during the 1960s.
9:41 - 1.1 miglia / 5 minuti - 9:46
11:16 - 0.1 miglia / 1 minuto - 11:17
Eleven Mile Picnic Area is one of four picnic areas in Eleven Mile Canyon. There are 15 picnic sites here each equipped with a grill, picnic table and parking.
11:22 - 0.2 miglia / 1 minuto - 11:23
11:28 - 0.2 miglia / 1 minuto - 11:29
Messenger Gulch Picnic Area is one of the four picnic areas in Eleven Mile Canyon. Each site is equipped with a grill and picnic table.
11:34 - 0.2 miglia / 1 minuto - 11:35
Colorado Midland Railway Tunnel
Locomotive smoke residue is still visible in and around three different Colorado Midland tunnels. Here it’s easy to imagine locomotives billowing smoke as they chugged through the canyon.
11:40 - 0.8 miglia / 4 minuti - 11:44
Springer Gulch Campground is seven miles southwest of Lake George on CR96 in Eleven Mile Canyon. It has 15 campsites with parking spurs 20-28 feet and a maximum trailer length of 25 feet. Camping season begins in May and continues to early October with reduced service. Facilities include toilets, tables, water, and fire rings.
11:49 - 1.6 miglia / 7 minuti - 11:57
12:02 - 0.1 miglia / 1 minuto - 12:02
12:07 - 1.0 miglia / 4 minuti - 12:12
A railroad station at Idlewild had several buildings, stock pens, and a telegraph device. This was a favorite stop for Colorado Midland wildflower excursions from Colorado Springs. Located in Idlewild Park, the Rock of Ages, now Idlewild Picnic Site, is a well-known landmark near the end of Elevenmile Canyon Road. There are five picnic sites here each with a grill and picnic table.
12:17 - 0.2 miglia / 1 minuto - 12:18
The Overlook Trail offers great opportunities for viewing Eleven Mile Canyon and Eleven Mile Reservoir; however, it does not provide access to the Reservoir. Occasionally, golden eagles can be viewed nesting in the nearby granite cliffs and crags. In the late spring, this is a great location to spot bald eagles.
12:33 - 0.0 miglia / 1 minuto - 12:33
Reservoir Campground first opened in the 1930s. The name was changed to Spillway Campground in the 1970s. The campground has 23 campsites with parking spurs 20-45 feet and a maximum trailer length of 25 feet. Facilities include toilets, tables, water and fire rings. Reservations are recommended in the busy summer months.
12:38 - 0.5 miglia / 2 minuti - 12:41
From Spillway Campground, Eleven Mile Dam can be seen in the distance. Built in 1932, Eleven Mile Reservoir stores up to 97,000 acre feet of water for the city of Denver.