Mountain Almanac for the Week of August 27

Tuesday, Aug. 27

Shining Mountain Open For Play.  The Shining Mountain (SM) Golf Course in Woodland Park is in full stride for their 2024 season, with daily tee times and  play contingent on weather conditions.  The course is in great shape for the mid-summer.  In addition, the driving range and chipping area/putting green is open, along with the spacious SM bar and outdoor patio. For more information, call 719-687-7587. A slew of charity tournaments are in the works, along with other links-related activities and special deals throughout the season. Some of the new happenings include Majestic Mondays, with great deals for 18-holes with a cart, and Trivia Tuesdays, with prizes for top teams, pizza, good times and more.  A new links and social event is SM’s Friday evening 9-hole Scramble tournaments, with a check-in slated for 5 p.m. Check regular updates in TMJ and on the Shining Mountain Facebook page.

The Woodland Park Planning Commission will meet on August 29 at  6:30 p.m. in the council chambers, next to city hall. The meeting is available in-person and on Zoom.

Friday, Aug. 30

Scramble Fridays.  The Shining Mountain Golf Course will host their weekly co-ed Scramble 9-hole tournament. Check-in will occur at 5 p.m., with tee-off action occurring sharply at 5:30 p.m.   Teams will be established based on skill or  no skill levels.  Designed as a fun get-together. For  more information, call 719-687-7587.

Saturday, August 31

FREE HISTORIC TOURS! “Ambiance on the Red Trolley” is a FREE 30-minute historical tour of Cripple Creek.  Join the Gold Camp Victorian Society on Saturdays from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day weekend, from 1 to  3 p.m. to hear the fascinating history of the World’s Greatest Gold Camp. Tours begin at the District Museum Train Car. For further information, visit the GCVS website…goldcampvictoriansociety.org FREE

Music at the Depot.  An end of the summer celebration will occur at the Cripple Creek District Museum, with an elaborate tent, concert stage and slew of bands from Aug. 31 to Sept. 1.  Featuring bands from 2-6 PM each day and  complete with food, and beer!  Contact the Cripple Creek District Museum for more information 719-689-9540 and check out the complete list of bands at the city of Cripple Creek’s tourism website.

Victor Celebrates The Arts is hosting their 24th anniversary as “Plein Air” artists from around the country gather to paint on location in the historic town.  Professional and non-professional artists participate in painting various scenes in and around the city of Victor and many nearby legendary 1890s gold mining sites.  The free show, held at Victor Elks Lodge, is scheduled for Aug. 31, Sept. 1 (from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days) and Sept. 2 (from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.) The competition is judged by an established and respected professional artist, and original works produced for the show will be available for sale in the gallery. All paintings in the VCTA Show & Sale will be painted en plein air – on site, directly from life – within a 10-mile radius of Victor City Hall during the week before the show and sale. All are welcome at this exciting and unique event!  As in previous years, we expect dozens of artists to participate, with more than 20 awards to be presented, with total cash prizes of over $4,000.  Thousands of visitors from many states attend the show and enjoy watching the artists painting around Victor. For more information, call 719-286-0813 or email the event organizers at vctashow@gmail.com. Also, check out the victor celebrates the arts website.

Free Fall Bird Walk. A free fall bird walk by Better Birdwatching with wildlife biologist Joe LaFleur will be held Saturday, Aug. 31 from 9 to 10 a.m. in the Victor area. Meet at the new American Eagles upper parking lot for a bird walk on the Grouse Mountain trails. Access to the area is just west of Victor; from Victor drive west on Hwy. 67 and turn left on the American Eagles Access Road just before the Arequa Gulch Bridge. Follow the access road to the upper parking lot. Binoculars are suggested and the event is open to ages 5 and up. Dress for mountain weather and hiking on rough terrain. Following the walk, from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. LeFleur will present a free program at the Victor Lowell Thomas Museum, 298 Victor Ave. Learn to identify local birds in this audiovisual presentation. After the program, LaFleur will be at the museum signing his new Teller County bird guide book and answering questions about birds. The walk is free but limited to 20 people – first come, first serve. The presentation is free and limited to 30 people, first come, first serve.  For more information, call 719–301–8801.

Upcoming

The Monday Music Series continues in Green Mountain Falls with a full slate of performers throughout the summer and early fall. For the evening of Sept. 2, the featured act is the Hot Boots band. The shows will be held either at the Gazebo Island or the GMF Farm Stand, depending on weather conditions.   Bring a lawn chair, refreshments, your favorite beverages and enjoy the great live music. Picnics are welcome, but please, no glass containers. The concerts are sponsored by the Ute Pass Chamber of Commerce. For more information, visit www.discoverutepass.com.

Double Down For The Byway. Gold Belt Tour Scenic Byway is excited to host our 2nd Annual Disc Golf Tournament ‘DOUBLE DOWN FOR THE BYWAY’. The event, scheduled for Sept. 14 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. will be held at the fabulous Alta Vista Disc Golf Ranch just out of Victor, CO along our famous Phantom Canyon route. The tournament is a doubles format with a shotgun start on this unique disc golf course at 9400 ft, where you can find spectacular views of Pikes Peak & the Sangre De Cristo Mountain Range in the background. Registration is $60 per team with an optional $5 ace pot (if more than one ace is hit then there will be a throw off for the winner). Get your partner found and sign up for lots of fun, at an amazing location. This event features a trophy buckle and cash prizes. Special prize  CTP on hole 16. All participants will receive a swag bag with gifts including a disc and t-shirt.  Additional door prizes available with purchase of ticket.  Lunch featuring local raised beef will be available for just $8.00 per player. It will be a delightful day to enjoy with your friends and family, while supporting an important non-profit. All proceeds from registration and door prize sales, are going to help raise money for the Gold Belt byway. For more information contact us at info@goldbelttour.com or call  719-689-2461, or visit the city of Cripple Creek’s tourism website