Culturally Modified Trees

The Pikes Peak region has a number of culturally modified trees. These are trees that were intentionally bent when they were young saplings by different groups of Native Americans.

To Pikes Peak→?

An Open Space Park on the south side of Colorado Springs has one of these. There are signs on the trail pointing to the 'Holy Tree'. This one is said to point to Pikes Peak itself. The day that I took this picture I didn't have my compass so I can't confirm that statement.
There are a number of local people who track down these trees and catalog them for preservation. I understand that there are quite a number of these trees located up the pass near Cripple Creek and also some near the Air Force Academy.
I found one on a hike in Rocky Mountain National Park and also two others in a County Park closer to my home.

I have done very little reading on this subject but I do find it fascinating. The first tree is in a park and well known, however, since the second tree I found on my own it's not appropriate to give it's location. I have found (looked at, not taken) some small pieces of obsidian that have been worked in this same area so I'm sure that the area has archaeological importance.

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