Driving the Scenic Skyline Drive Road and Legit Dinosaur Footprints
In Colorado, there is a scenic road named Skyline Drive right next to Canon City. The road is built on a narrow mountain ridge and is only a one-way drive. It was one of the places I wanted to check out from the start. My girlfriend was not too keen on going there because the drive is not for the faint of heart. There are no guard rails to keep you driving off the steep hill.
The road was built by inmates and was completed in 1905 but originally only foot traffic and horses were allowed on the road. Since 1907 vehicles were also allowed to drive there. The panoramic views are great of the surrounding areas and Canon City.
The drive was nerve-wracking. Not because of the narrow road itself but due to the weather. We had thunderstorms all around and a ton of lightning strikes hitting the ground around us. We are a perfect target up there driving a metal box. We most likely wouldn't be harmed in the car even if the car got hit by a lightning strike because the car is grounded but it would most likely fry the electrics and also might set the car on fire. This is definitely something I did not want to deal with. Fortunately all went well but I was unable to enjoy the drive because of this fear.
I mentioned dinosaur tracks in the title. Yes, there you can see real dinosaur tracks on a cliff wall right next to the road. These were discovered in 1999 by a pantheology student. Footprints are towards walking to the west. Those dinosaurs were walking on muddy ground and the prints were recorded and fossilized. Now we are able to see these today, really amazing!
In total Skyline Drive road section is about 3.5 kilometers long. Here are some more photos I was able to capture there.
For extra content, I'm dumping in a great sunset we happened to spot during our drive to the next destination. I did not expect to see any sunset due to the fully overcast sky but when we were driving through Colorado Springs, the low sunshine decided to show itself and light up the clouds from below, it was beautiful.
Cool warm photos are in end .... I am sure it was fun to look all this there :)
These are! Sure was fun.
beautiful photography display.
Thanks!
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You have shared such a great place with us. I can't describe in my words that how much I like these places and always want to visit such a beautiful and wonderful places.
The road is narrow and unsafe for riding. when the sunshine strike with clouds and reflect such a beautiful view, the nature came up with full of its attraction and power.
Glad you liked the post and place!
First heard of a road called Skyline Drive. I didn't know about this route. I got full information after reading your post. Seeing this road, I also feel scared to go there because there is a deep ditch on the side of the road. Any accident can happen there. But thank you for the great information you provided about the Skyline Drive route in this post.
Accidents for sure can happen if not careful. I am not afraid to drive these roads, and I feel confident but during thunderstorms is another story.
That road on the mountain looks so scary, I myself would not want to be up there xD
But the view is great.
Not for the faint of heart for sure. I'm quite used to driving mountain roads myself.
Looks like a zombie route, and it also look like it will be quite slippery.
The view is amazing, especially the sunset photos. I love it.
Can be slippery during the winter indeed when icy. In summer I had no problems with my grip.
In winter we see such beautiful scenery because the clouds come in this way, it rains, the cold wind blows and then it goes back, all these pictures look very beautiful.
Thanks.
Most welcome dear.
A big one claps and appreciation for safety drive and remaining safe in this dangerous weather having thunderstorm and lightning. It shows you have a strong heart and you are a brave man. You are lucky too for not having any effect from lightning.
Hah, I don't know about that lol. I just didn't want to miss this opportunity to drive there due to some weather lol.