Manitou Springs, Colorado

A mountain town you'll probably fall in love with ... I lived in Manitou Springs from 2001-2005, and the reasons why people love this town are obvious. Manitou Springs is nestled in the mountains, at the foot of Pikes Peak, with neighborhoods and street layouts that make it an original. There are no generic, sprawling suburbs here. I always loved going for walks and bike rides. The hills were great for exercise; Garden of the Gods was a short ride away; and the shops and businesses in the heart of town were interesting. And the attractions of Manitou Springs made it special: the penny arcade, mineral springs and wacky annual events such as Carnivale, the Fruitcake Toss, Coffin Races. Being the home of the Cog Railway Station and Manitou Incline were constant reminders that people from around the country loved this town as well. This page is my modest dedication to Manitou Springs with links to my scenery photos, hikes, and other events over the years. Photos of Manitou Springs Pikes Peak is positioned perfectly behind the "Welcome To Manitou Springs" sign on Manitou Avenue. Photo by Sidestreets Manitou Springs Blog

The view of the Manitou Incline and shops beside Manitou Avenue in 1954. Photo by Class of 1954 Bixby OK

My photo of Ruxton Avenue. My first residence in Manitou Springs was on the second floor at 103 Ruxton Avenue -- the brick building ahead in the back apartment. :) Photos and commentary by Steve Garufi. Facebook - Twitter - Pinterest - Google Plus

	Mineral Springs - A tour of all ten of the mineral springs.
	Red Mountain - An easy-to-moderate hike in Manitou Springs that offers a grand view of the town.
	Rainbow Falls - A waterfall on the far west side of town.
	Manitou Incline - The steep, challenging and popular hike on the Manitou Incline.
	Pikes Peak Hike - I have only climbed Pikes Peak once, when I made it via the Barr Trail in 2002.
	Bud Ford - The former mayor of Manitou Springs and a really great guy. I had to made a tribute page to this living legend. (Also, check out his 34th wedding anniversary party!)
	Williams Canyon - An excellent hiking opportunity on the north side of Manitou Springs.
	Manitou Railroad Tunnels - An abandoned railroad grade with tunnels that makes for an enjoyable hike on the west side of Manitou Springs.
	Intemann Trail - A scenic hike on the east side of Manitou Springs.
	Great Fruitcake Toss - Photos of the world famous Fruitcake Toss and my prizes for winning the spatula race.
	Carnivale - Annual event in February that mirrors Mardi Gras in New Orleans. A gumbo cooking contest, parade and other evening events.
	Manitou Trolley - In the summer of 2001, there were two busses that were converted into "trolleys" that traveled the length of Manitou Springs. One was burgundy, the other was green. It stopped all along the main spots in Manitou Springs, going as far as the Cog Railway to the Garden of the Gods Trading Post. Here are photos when my friend Tara and I rode it one morning.
	Fireworks Show - Photos from the annual Manitou Springs fireworks show on July 4.
	Road Biking - With a new road bike, my photos biking in Garden of the Gods and elsewhere.
	Adopt a Highway - My photos of Adopt a Highway workcrews over the years. We clean up U.S. Highway 24 through Manitou Springs.
	Miramont Castle - Miramont Castle, located on Ruxton Avenue, is a large castle that offers a tour of the large building while providing much about the history of Manitou Springs.
	Cave of the Winds Road - My video and photos of the mountain scenery from Cave of the Winds Road.
Above: Participants in a Drum Circle in Memorial Park.	Other Manitou Springs pages: Soda Springs Park Neon Lights Barr Trail Mountains Fountain Creek Drum Circle Olympic Torch Relay Halloween Trick or Treating Budweiser Clydesdales Manitou Llamas Manitou Spa Building
	ColoradoGuy.com on Facebook