Colorado Springs Official Visitors Guide 2009 - (Page 78) 80 Go For The Gold! VisitCOS.com Continued from page 19 glittering aspen trees. They dot the landscape of the foothills and turn a variety of blazing colors, with vibrant gold as their spectacular finale. There are many ways to enjoy the serene beauty of the aspens. Hike up all or part of the scenic 12-mile Barr Trail that starts in Manitou Springs and takes you to the summit of Pikes Peak. This trail is lined with the native In 2009, the USOC's new headquarters will open in the heart of downtown Colorado Springs. Exhibits and street features are being planned and will be developed throughout the year to highlight the Olympic spirit and honor many of our national heroes. The OTC, located just a few miles east of downtown Colorado Springs, is home to hundreds of athletes who live and train at the facility on a permanent or semi-permanent basis. Free public tours are conducted daily on a year-round basis by the USOC Tour Program staff, and the U.S. Olympic Spirit Store offers Olympic sports merchandise and gift items unavailable elsewhere. The tour includes a walk along the Irwin Belk Olympic Path and visits to the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame rotunda and roof-top terrace. The terrace contains an Olympic flame display and offers panoramic views of the entire complex and beautiful Colorado Springs. For pure scenic pleasure, take the mountain drive to Cripple Creek, the historic mining town and destination for limited-stakes gaming. The road to this charming mountain town is truly lined with gold – of the aspen trees. aspens showing off their regal colors. You can also ride on the Pikes Peak Cog Railway, the highest railroad in the United States, or drive the peak's 19-mile scenic highway to enjoy the spectacular view from the road and atop at the Summit House. You can also experience the adventure and thrill of riding down this 14,110-foot mountain on a bicycle! For pure scenic pleasure, take the mountain drive to Cripple Creek, the historic mining town and destination for limited-stakes gaming. The road to this charming mountain town is truly lined with gold – of the aspen trees. Jeep and walking tours of the abandoned mines and ghost towns near Cripple Creek are always available. For off-season values, beautiful sunny skies, low humidity, mild temperatures and magnificent gold scenery, there is no better place than Colorado Springs and the Pikes Peak region for a fall getaway. Whether you are learning about our rich history of gold mining, experiencing the thrill of Olympic gold or taking in the beauty of our golden aspens, you will certainly strike it rich in Colorado Springs and the Pikes Region. With many thanks to contributing editors Matt Mayberry and Leland Feitz. The Aspens of Autumn With golden aspen leaves quaking in the cool, refreshing autumn breezes and waterfalls trickling down magnificent rock formations, early fall is an excellent time to be in Colorado Springs and the Pikes Peak region! In September and October, you can enjoy the clear, cool, dry mountain air of the Colorado Rockies, where memories of magnificent scenery and majestic views will last a lifetime. With the coming of fall and cooler temperatures, the Pikes Peak region explodes in a colorful display of http://www.VisitCOS.com
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