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In 2008 in Glenwood Springs, Colorado, we rode the gondola/tram up Iron Mountain to the 9 year old Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park, a new adventure for both of us. Many of the attractions are geared to children, but the 70 minute guided cave tour, the alpine coaster ride, and the tram ride up and down the mountain appealed to us. Here's the view of Glenwood Springs from the gondola ride...
... and here's Ellen from the scenic outdoor Overlook Grille Restaurant where we ate lunch...
The cave tour was very well done. I've been on three of the National Park Service cave tours (Mammoth, Jewel, and Wind) and this tour was as nice and our tour guide just as knowledgeable. Below is a shot of one corridor in the cave to give you a feel...
... and some of the 127 stairs down into the Kings Room which is the best preserved area open to the public...
... and which preserves hundreds of stalagtites, stalagmites, and other geologic formations, undisturbed by humans over the hundred-plus years since the complex of caverns was discovered...
A photographer was down below taking photos of the visitors hundreds of feet into the ground...
The highlight of the adventure park in our opinion was the Canyon Flyer, an Alpine Coaster that follows a track 4300 feet in length, losing 1000 feet in altitude as it makes hairpin turns and winds around trees and shrubbery as seen here...
An automated camera captured our smiling faces with the mountains in the background...
In 2008, the coaster ride cost $7.50 per ride if you don't purchase the all-day pass for $42.00 which includes the cave tour and unlimited rides, plus admission and tram ride, so with our 4 coaster rides, cave tour, tram ride and admission, the pass was a great deal for us and well worth the cost. All the employees were wonderful, the food was excellent, the views magnificent, and the park spotlessly clean -- and it is open year-round, so check it out if you're in Glenwood Springs, Colorado.
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