When Garden of the Gods gets busy in the summer, Colorado Springs locals all too often stay away. They all too often miss the chance for beauty and discovery — such as that on the park’s edges, away from the bustling center. 

Venture over and one might find a new view and learn some history. So we did at last visit, venturing out of the park toward the adjacent Rock Ledge Ranch Historic Site. 

The site calls itself “a living history museum,” where one is transported to the pioneer days. The trails out of Garden of the Gods recall those days, with names like Chambers, Galloway and Valley Reservoir.

The Chambers family established Rock Ledge Ranch in the 1870s. Galloway was the homesteader previously here. And Valley Reservoir refers to the water storage built by the Chambers, with remnants still seen today. 

We went looking from our starting point at the South Garden parking lot, south of Gateway Road into the park. On the parking lot’s east side, we started on the path marked Ute Trail Connection, uphill to views of Pikes Peak and Cheyenne Mountain. 

At a “Y,” we continued right uphill and dipped down to the valley below the park’s signature formations. At the “T,” we went left, on to the next split marking Valley Reservoir Trail straight ahead. 

Stone retention walls line the trail along a ridge overlooking the Garden and Rock Ledge Ranch’s historic buildings and farm animals. At the next “Y,” we went right for Galloway Trail to start a short, scenic loop.

The trail connects with Chambers Trail. We took it by going left, south, going back the way we came. 

Trip log: 1.75 miles out and back, 153 feet elevation

Getting there: The South Garden parking lot is the lot numbered 10, south of Gateway Road into the park. From there, take the Juniper Way loop road back around. Or, off U.S. 24, take Ridge Road into the park and follow directly to the parking lot. 

FYI: Park open 5 a.m.-10 p.m. May-October; 5 a.m.-9 p.m. November-April. Hiking only. Dogs on leash. 

SETH BOSTER, THE GAZETTE