A Return to the Gorge and Skyline

Exploring the remodeled Royal Gorge Park with a pause at Skyline Drive.

Wrangling a few critters and getting crew and equipment aligned, the expedition set out to rediscover the Royal Gorge.  It had been consumed by fire in 2013 and had not been visited since a few years before that situation.

The gorge itself looks no different now than it did then.  There are likely subtle nuances that only a geologist or a forester would note.  The average spectator observes the deep crevasse in the earth is unchanged.  The crags that line the walls appear unmarred and traffic flows above and beyond the bridge as must as before, with a few exceptions.

New structures grace the park, seemingly more in line with the dangers of ignition.  Stone and paved aprons surround many of them and their general build suggests easy and affordable replacement.  The carousel is now on the opposite side of the river too, with a new amphitheater, kids playground, and a new way to see the canyon.

Two of our explorers tested this particular new feature, billed as the highest zipline in the United States, rising nearly 400 meters above the Arkansas River.  They arrived safely at the opposite bank and highly recommended enjoying the trip.  Those that remained firmly on land to capture their journey were intrigued, but settled for their word.

The view from the bridge is spectacular as ever and quite enough for most.  If one lingers long enough, the Royal Gorge Railroad will cruise by.  This used to be an up-close and personal event, accessible by simply taking the incline railway to the bottom.  Unfortunately, the incline is conspicuously absent.  The remodel did not include re-installation of that item, likely the most favorite for most.

Rafters and those braving the waters on kayak are often seen cruising by, attempting to keep themselves within the confines of the raft, while navigating their way around massive boulders in the stream below.  It can be a perilous adventure and not for the faint of heart.

A new theater showcases a cinematic history of the gorge.  Outside the doors, another relic from the old days rests in silence.  The miniature Royal Gorge Railroad once took sightseers on a small tour of the area, to include a visit to the edge.  That is no more, as well.  The movie inside is fascinating though, with some fantastic footage from the early days and the fire that wiped most of the park out.

Walking back across the bridge, the feat of engineering across this geology is amazing in it's own right.  Years of automobile traffic, apparently no longer permitted, and the pedestrian traffic seem to have had little effect on the situation.  The fire only provided space for re-imagining everything.

Our crew began the journey back to base camp, having had enough of leisure activities for the day.  A brief pause for sustenance set everything in the right frame of mind, enabling another pause along Skyline Drive to inspect some relatively new signage about the dinosaur tracks there.  Apparently, this information has been readily available for quite a few years.  It is surprising how much escapes attention sometimes.  A narrow road across a hogback can down that.

Arriving at base camp, there was very little left to do with the day.  Relaxing to watch the sun burn out of the sky in brilliant shades of orange seemed the most appropriate way to end another fun day of exploring this region of Colorado.

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Further Reading

Royal Gorge Bridge And Park Reopens After Fire

CBS 4 Denver

Royal Gorge Bridge & Park