The Black Forest Volkssport Club of Colorado Springs has the honor of being the host walking club for the 2003 AVA Convention walk in Garden of the Gods Park, on Thursday, June 26, 2003. Garden of the Gods Park is Colorado Springs’ number one visitor attraction. The park is located on the West Side of Colorado Springs in the foothills at an altitude of 6,500 feet.

Magnificent red sandstone formations are the prominent feature at Garden of the Gods, a 1392-acre park owned by the city of Colorado Springs. Sculptured by wind and water erosion, the formations are estimated to be over 300 million years old. Wildly tilted rock formations in the park have been given whimsical names such as Weeping Indian, Rocking Chair, Baby Elephant, and Kissing Camels. Balanced Rock, perhaps the most famous monument in the park, looks as though it might topple from its lofty perch at any moment. In addition to the wonder of its sandstone spires, the Garden is a unique biological melting pot--it is here that grasslands of the Great Plains meet the piñon-juniper woodlands of the Southwest and merge with the mountain forests of Pikes Peak. A diversity of plant and animal life coexists in the Garden. Prairie falcons, honey ants, rattlesnakes, mule deer, magpies, hawks and bighorn sheep share the Park.

The Ute Indians, known as the Blue Sky People, used the Garden for their winter encampment before heading over Ute Pass to hunt in South Park. Plains tribes migrated to the region in the 1700s, camping in the Garden before heading southwest. The lure of Cripple Creek’s gold drew would-be miners and other explorers who often paused to visit the renowned site.

In 1859, gold was discovered in the South Park area of Colorado, and “Pikes Peak or Bust” became a popular slogan as vast numbers of fortune seekers headed west. Boom towns were created overnight, with over 100,000 people arriving in the region in just one year! The Pikes Peak area hosted large numbers of people expecting to “strike it rich”, since it sat at the foot of Ute Pass, the only accessible route to South Park. The Pass funneled gold seekers from three major routes across the plains. It was August of 1859, when two surveyors started out from Denver City to start formal action in locating a townsite, soon to be called Colorado City. While exploring nearby locations, they came upon a beautiful area of sandstone formations. M. S. Beach, who related this incident, suggested that it would be a “capital place for a beer garden” when the country grew up. His companion, Rufus Cable, a “young and poetic man” exclaimed, “Beer Garden? Why, this is a fit place for the Gods to assemble. We will call it the Garden of the Gods.” It has been so called ever since.

In 1879, Railroad Tycoon, Charles Elliot Perkins purchased 480 acres of Garden of the Gods rock formations around Gateway Rocks, planning to build a country estate close to his friend, General William Jackson Palmer. He purchased an additional 240 acres by 1899, and intended to leave his property as a gift to the city. He died before his will was amended to convey his wish. Fortunately, Perkins’ children honored their father’s desire. In 1909, the park was given to the city of Colorado Springs by the children of the railroad magnate, in fulfillment of his wish that it be “kept forever open and free to the public”. As a result, this amazing park can be enjoyed free of charge.

The starting point for the Garden of the Gods Convention Volksmarch is the parking lot of the Rock Ledge Ranch Historic Site, an educational, non-profit, living historical farm and agricultural museum depicting life in the Pikes Peak region from 1860 to 1910. For a small fee, you may step into the past and discover the spirit of Colorado history as you meander through the 270-acre site nestled against the quiet magnificence of the Garden of the Gods. The history of the area will come to life as you visit the 1860’s Galloway Homestead, the 1880’s Chambers Farm and Blacksmith and explore the exquisite “Orchard House” built by General William Jackson Palmer, Colorado Springs’ founder, in 1907. Costumed interpreters present authentic enactments of the daily lives in each of the time periods. All admission proceeds benefit the preservation and restoration of the Rock Ledge Ranch site.

The volksmarch routes will be on Garden of the Gods Park trails and streets. The trail surfaces consist mostly of packed trail, asphalt, or concrete. Both the 5 and 10-Km trails will include the Central Garden area of the park and the Garden of the Gods Visitor Center. Opened in 1995, the current Garden of the Gods Visitor Center is a result of a public/private partnership. It is located east of the Park’s main entrance and offers educational exhibits, interpretive presentations and a spectacular vista of the Park. Volkssporters completing the 10-Km trail will have an opportunity to visit the historic Garden of the Gods Trading Post nestled in the Southwest corner of the Park. In the early 1920’s, Charles Strausenback, local artist and Indian trader, built the Trading Post to resemble the homes of the Pueblo Indians. Since that time, the Trading Post has expanded 6 times to become Colorado’s largest Trading Post. Finally, the 10-Km volkssporters will visit Balanced Rock, before rejoining the 5-Km trail in the Central Garden. The 5-Km trail is rated 1+ and has one small continuous hill entering the park. Several small hills earn the 10-Km trail its 2+ rating. These hills will cause most volkssporters some shortness of breath. However, by slowing the pace and enjoying the scenery, all will find these to be very enjoyable walks. Athletic shoes are considered appropriate footwear for this walk. Walking sticks are not required. Strollers and wheelchairs can complete these events. Wheelchairs will experience some difficulty on the packed trail surfaces and extreme difficulty with the 10-Km hills. Leashed pets are allowed on trail. Daytime temperatures can become quite warm in mid-June. Sunscreen, hats and carrying water are advisable.

The City of Colorado Springs Parks and Recreation Department, the Black Forest Volkssport Club, and Rambling the Rockies await your arrival and hope to see you at the convention.