My Father and I visited Rainbow Falls(30+ft) again early saturday morning. Rainbow falls is a largely forgotten waterfall located in Manitou Springs, CO. The waterfall was a popular attraction for the Ute Indians as well as early mining settlers in the 1800's. A bridge connecting downtown Manitou Springs with Hwy 24 was built over the waterfall in the 1950's. Today the waterfall is litterally surrounded by hundreds, perhaps thousands, pieces of graffiti. It's a shame that something so beautiful could be forgotten and lost to this generation.
I first visited this large waterfall about 6 years ago and have been back every few years. Since that first visit things have gotten progressively worse. But hope is on the horizon for this beautiful place. A concerned group named MECA (Manitou Environmental Citizens Action) aims to get the public talking about this neglected gem. Here is a link to a story that ran in 2007 about the falls and potential upcoming changes: Rainbow Falls Story I just hope one day it will be back to its former glory.
Posted by Jamie Botdorf on September 7, 2008 at 10:06 PM
Thanks for sharing these, Michael! I've been to Manitou several times and have never seen or heard about these falls. Its a shame to see what has happened to them. You pictures do a nice job of conveying the beauty of the falls in less picturesque surroundings.
Posted by Nick Moore on September 7, 2008 at 10:12 PM
Marking the concrete bridge with Graffiti is bad enough, but the rocks that actually surround the falls too!!. These are beautiful falls, hopefully they will indeed by returned to their former glory!. Thanks for sharing the series of images and the story behind the location!.
Posted by Stan Rose on September 7, 2008 at 11:17 PM
What idiots the vandals are, completely ignorant. Those are outstanding photos, Michael. SInce i just mentioned this to an unrealted post, i would highly recommend you posting one or more of these in the Environmental Photojournalism Gallery. That gallery gets a lot of views per photo becuase so few people post there, and this is a very a propos story.
Posted by Paul Gana on September 8, 2008 at 11:31 AM
how wretched can those low life taggers be, tagging not just the concrete but the rocks around the falls, if I ever catch one of these idiots I would cut their balls off and shove it down their throats, truly amazing
Posted by Les Barstow on September 8, 2008 at 11:41 AM
I've wondered at just what was alongside that bridge. Now I know, and am saddened. The town could make that into a little park if they could get it cleaned up - it's pretty enough, and visitation should cut down on the tagging problem.
Posted by Don Grall on September 8, 2008 at 4:08 PM
Wow, it's even worse now than when I first photographed it 4 years ago! I thought that group that was organized to improve the area formed about 3 years ago! It seems that all that has taken place is talking and wishing. If money is keeping them from doing anything, they need to enlist volunteers to go enmass on a particular weekend and do a 1-day overhaul. Then when some progress can be chronicled they might be able to acquire some of that money they need to complete it.
The real problem though will be one of maintenance! And I agree with Les, more visitation will cut down on the destructive influences.
Discussion
9 repliesI first visited this large waterfall about 6 years ago and have been back every few years. Since that first visit things have gotten progressively worse. But hope is on the horizon for this beautiful place. A concerned group named MECA (Manitou Environmental Citizens Action) aims to get the public talking about this neglected gem. Here is a link to a story that ran in 2007 about the falls and potential upcoming changes: Rainbow Falls Story I just hope one day it will be back to its former glory.
More of My Images Here(along with GOG)
The real problem though will be one of maintenance! And I agree with Les, more visitation will cut down on the destructive influences.