The Falcon Wanderers have the honor of being the host walking club for the 2003 AVA Convention walk at the Royal Gorge Bridge and Park, near Cañon City, on Tuesday June 24, 2003. Cañon City is approximately 45 miles southwest of Colorado Springs, the Royal Gorge is an additional 12 miles west of Cañon City off US Highway 50.

Three million years ago, a trickle of water began to slowly carve a canyon out of solid granite bedrock. Today the trickle is the Arkansas River, and the “masterpiece” it continues to carve, at a rate of one foot every 2,500 years, is the Royal Gorge. Widths at the bottom of the gorge measure 40 to 50 feet, barely enough room for the old Denver & Rio Grande Western train line to fit next to the river. Built in 1929, at a cost of $350,000, the World’s Highest Suspension Bridge soars over the “Grand Canyon of the Arkansas River”, at a breathtaking height of 1,053 feet above the river. The Royal Gorge Bridge is 18 feet wide and nearly one-quarter mile long accommodating auto and pedestrian traffic, as well as a quaint trolley shuttle. The views are awesome! Don’t forget your camera!

Elevation for the Royal Gorge is about 6,800 feet above sea level. The starting point for the 5-km and 10-km walks is located at the Bridge entrance parking lot. There is plenty of free parking. Walkers will wander through wooded areas, scenic overlooks, and rock outcroppings en route to a spectacular crossing of the world’s highest suspension bridge. The trail rating for both distances is 2+ due to the uneven trail surfaces and rolling terrain. Athletic walking or running shoes are appropriate footwear for this event. A walking stick for balance is always a good choice.

As you hike the Royal Gorge, listen for the cries of red-tailed hawks echoing through the canyon, watch for big horn sheep navigating the steep granite cliffs, and notice the mule deer that freely roam the park. Keep an open eye for arrowheads left behind, by Native American Indians (Utes, Sioux, Cheyenne, Kiowa, Blackfeet and Comanche) who hunted and camped in this region of the park.

As you walk across the world’s HIGHEST suspension bridge, take note of the world’s LONGEST single-span Aerial Tram, and the world’s STEEPEST Incline Railway located near the bridge. Walkers are invited to ride the 35-passenger Aerial Tram and experience a unique view of the gorge, the bridge, and the Sangre De Cristo Mountains from a height of 1,200 feet above the Arkansas River. For those walkers who would like to view the gorge from the bottom as well as the top, the world’s steepest incline railway plunges 1,550 feet down a natural side-gorge at a 45-degree angle; travel time is 5.5 minutes each way.

In addition to the HIGHEST, the LONGEST, and the STEEPEST, the park features a variety of unique attractions, shops and restaurants, children’s activities, entertainment venues and picnic areas. Summer visitors often spot rafters on the Arkansas River moving like ants far below the bridge. Train rides are available through the Gorge along a 24-mile route, following portions of the famous Denver and Rio Grande rail line. Tickets can be purchased for the 2-hour round trip at the historic Santa Fe Depot in Cañon City.

A special note of “Thanks” goes to the Royal Gorge Bridge Company for hosting and New Balance Athletic Shoes for sponsoring this walk. New Balance will pay the reduced park admission fee for all Volkswalkers. The park admission fee allows walkers unlimited access to all park attractions, including the bridge, the aerial tram and the incline railway!

The Royal Gorge Bridge Company, Cañon City, the Falcon Wanderers, and Rambling the Rockies await your arrival and hope to see you at the convention.