Picture of the Day: Lookout Mountain

On the way home from Black Hawk today,

we took a drive up Lookout Mountain.

It is one of the larger foothills

overlooking Golden, Colorado.

In the past Ute Indians used the lookout

to watch the surrounding area.

The road ascends from

near the Colorado School of Mines

through a series of hairpin turns and drop offs 

to Windy Saddle Park

and beyond to the grave of Buffalo Bill Cody. 

Muleys Cross on Lookout Mountain Road,

Near Golden, Colorado

Windy Saddle Park is well-named,

because constant winds flow through the area, 

and today the winds were bitter cold!

Winds blow down 

from the Continental Divide; 

or, winds flowing across the plains

hit the Rocky Mountains

and are forced upward.

Clear Creek Canyon

from Windy Saddle Park

John H. Gregory followed Clear Creek upstream to find the first lode gold in Colorado.

The site of his discovery, "the richest square mile on earth," became Central City.

Updrafts are strong enough to lift objects.

Raptors ride these thermals to conserve energy,

making it easier for them to soar

without flapping their wings

or to travel long distances.

Hang gliders and paragliders 

often soar here with the raptors,

but not today.

The magnificent views 

were worth the cold, buffeting winds.

Denver, Queen City of the Plains

Twelve Miles Away

We saved Buffalo Bill's grave for another day.