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At foot of Pike's Peak, a historic town | The Honolulu Advertiser | Hawaii's Newspaper
Posted on: Sunday, December 2, 2007

At foot of Pike's Peak, a historic town

By Chris Oliver

Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

Manitou Springs still looks like a gold rush boomtown, complete with hitching posts for your horse. And there really are springs.

CHRIS OLIVER | The Honolulu Advertiser

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WHERE: Manitou Springs, Colo., at the foot of Pikes Peak.

WHY GO THERE: A town of much history and many profiles: sacred hunting grounds of the Ute and Cheyenne Indian tribes, gold rush-era boomtown, Old Frontier-style resort, 1960s hippie haven and dramatic geological location. Manitou, a Native American word for "spirit," has nine named mineral springs around town fed by the snows of Pikes Peak.

WHAT TO SEE: A few of the 19th-century buildings on main street Manitou Avenue still have places where you can tie up your horse — and it's not a stretch to imagine a Western-style shootout at noon. How-ever, lunchtime action is more likely to occur in The Keg, a friendly old-fashioned bar with a pool table, big-screen TV and plates of food big enough for trappers to square away.

  • Nine springs are scattered around town, though it's easy to miss them. The waters of several are accessed from spigots outside buildings; some taste metallic, some downright awful. Manitou Springs Mineral Water from one spring is treated and bottled commercially (though oddly not sold in Manitou).

  • Gems and crystals are big business. The Crystal Wizard shop, easily spotted by the huge wizard mural on the wall, is the best place to pick up glittery crystal balls if you need a magic boost. If your needs are more practical, drop in to Ruxton's Trading store for snow shoes, ice picks and ropes.

  • The Maté Factor, 966 Manitou Ave., is a cozy place to sample yerba maté herbal tea, which promises to clear your mind and energize your body.

  • Just outside of town, between Manitou Springs and Colorado Springs, is Garden of the Gods, its dramatic red rock formations are easily seen from the road.

  • The Manitou and Pikes Peak Cog Railway will take you to the top of Pikes Peak, elevation 14,110 feet, chugging 13 miles through pine forests to a boulder-filled landscape at the summit. Go early, it's a full day. Roundtrip ticket is $60 adults, $33 ages 3-12. www.cograilway.com.

    WHERE TO EAT: Adams Mountain Cafe, 934 Manitou Ave., vegetarian, seafood and poultry. Mediterranean, Asian, Southwestern cuisine, open for breakfast, lunch, dinner. The Keg Bar & Grill, 730 Manitou Ave. 11 a.m.-2 a.m. Buffalo Burgers, salads, sandwiches. Steaks and seafood in the evenings.

    IF YOU GO: Manitou Springs is west of Colorado Springs on Highway 24, about 15 miles from Colorado Springs Municipal Airport. Maps showing the springs are available from the Chamber of Commerce, 354 Manitou Ave.; 719-685-5089; www.manitousprings.org.

    Reach Chris Oliver at coliver@honoluluadvertiser.com.
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