The Florrisant Fossil Beds is a national monument located seven miles west of Woodland Park, Colorado. Traveling west on state highway 24, designated as a scenic route, you spot Pike's Peak to the southeast. Turning left off highway 24 and following the signs, you arrive shortly at the destination, where the only fossils you'll see are in drawers inside the visitor center. Pike's Peak is a prominent feature on the park's eastern horizon. The destination also offers fields with wildflowers that bloom in every season (but winter) and some fascinating examples of petrified redwood stumps.
East of Pike's Peak is Colorado Springs. A great view of Pike's Peak can be found at Schriever Air Force Base located about 6,000 feet above sea level and farther to the east. In July, the base joins the weeklong celebration known as the Pike's Peak or Bust Rodeo. A climb of the mountain is part of the celebration. Picture-taking opportunities are not confined to the celebration, of course.
Directions to the base coming out of Colorado Springs take you east on Platte Avenue to its junction with Highway 94. After turning right on Highway 94, drive east to Enoch Road. Turn right onto Enoch Road, and drive about two miles to Schriever AFB visitors center, located on the right side of the road just inside the fence.
The Santa Fe Trail traces historic wagon train trails made through Colorado to points west. Zebulon Montgomery Pike traveled this route and, while doing so, viewed the great mountain peak for the first time. A picture of Pike's Peak from points along this historic trail capture an image of what was once captivating to Pike himself. Travel 63 miles east from Pueblo on highway 50 to La Junta. Head southwest on highway 350 toward Thatcher to see what Pike once saw.
You can get a view of the northern-facing slopes of Pike's Peak from Red Rocks Amphitheatre, in Morrison, just 15 miles southwest of Denver. The drive from Denver takes you through some amazing dinosaur fossil beds, a place for children and adults alike. Entrance to both of these amazing sites is free, as is the parking. From downtown Denver, take I-70 west to exit 259,and turn left at the Morrison exit. Travel 1.5 miles to the Red Rocks Park entrance. From south Denver, take state highway 470 to the Morrison exit, turn west and follow the signs to the Park entrances. To avoid some traffic, exit highway 470 at highway 285. Take it west to highway 8 and then come north to Red Rocks.
A unique opportunity to take pictures of Pike's Peak arises when you take a hot-air balloon ride around the area. Just such a voyage is offered through Colorado Balloon Rides. Featured on NBC News, with weatherman Al Roker, it is a spectacular way to get some of the best pictures of Pike's Peak you could imagine.
