Pikes Peak – America’s Mountain

This is one amazing view. How you see it is simple, your eyes. How you ascend is your by hiking, cycling, driving, or riding. Riding refers to in a vehicle or the train. I had already been to see Mt Rushmore, Rocky Mountain National Park, etc. I would have managed the climb okay. My parents would not have made it to the top. If you decide to hike or cycle, remember two things. We drove up on the longest day of the year. When we were at the top, the mountain had snow flurries (yes, in June). Basically be prepared for a temperature change. I do not know the trail. For anyone going to the top, use sunscreen and have enough water. You will need both. For cyclists and drivers when you go downhill, remember your brakes. Your bicycle or other vehicle will be stopped. If you have overheated brakes, you will be told to park for a time. The more weight you have and the higher gear you are using, the longer your stop will be. Mainly use common sense.

Visited Pikes Peak June 2016 with three Indian Colleagues… two from Bangalore. A cultural experience for sure! Mounds of snow were present end of June.
Breathtaking views and experience drive up the mountain on the day before the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb.
Yes, you drive all the way to the summit at 14,115 feet. Theoretically, on a perfectly clear day, you could see 200 miles to the horizon.
Drive to the summit via the Pikes Peak Highway is about 19 miles one way. City of Colorado Springs collects $ 12 per adult, $ 5 children (or $ 40 carload discount) to maintain the road year-​round. Road was fully paved in 2011. Amazing feat of blacktop paving.
The drive up with views of Aspen Pines and majestic views defy description… something not to be missed. Open year round, weather permitting. A national gem.
There are few guardrails and attentive driving goes without saying. Everyone drives cautiously.
At about 11,500 feet near the top is the Alpine Zone and a clear timberline. Tree growth ends. Did see a pair of yellow-​bellied marmots but no bighorn sheep.
Tips:
* Prepare for cool temps. Even in June/​July, 40 degree temp is common during the day. Snow is possible any time of year.
* Make sure your car (or rental car) is in good condition, especially brakes and transmission.
* Choose to arrive via the Cog Railroad if you are uncomfortable driving on tight, winding roads
* Drink lots of water to mitigate altitude sickness. Affects everyone… even the most physically fit.
* Use your transmission rather than brakes on the decent. The City stops all vehicles part way down to measure brake temperature. Good safety step. Cars that ride their brakes during the decent are told to pull over to cool down. We passed the test but car in front didn’t…and could smell their brakes from our car.

It’s freaking pikes peak. If you hate something so awesome… I feel really bad for you.

Great drive. A little scary at times, but still a great experience. Lots of places to stop to take pictures. It’s very cold and windy up at the top! We were unlucky and got to top at same time as train. So a huge crowd of people were taking pictures there and they flooded gift shop. Very beautiful drive. Glad we drove instead of taking train. We would have missed a lot of photo opportunities if we took train. I think it was $ 12 a person to drive.

This is a amazing drive with plenty of stops along the way to picnic, hike or take great photos. It is so much fun going up through all the different climate zones to above the tree line. The air is very thin at 14,100 feet, I was feeling a bit strange trying to intake oxygen. Well worth the 12 bucks admission.

Incredible experience! I was scared going up because of how high we were, but I LOVED it. My husband and I will definitely visit the mountain again once we come back through town. Great photo opportunities, beautiful lake, gift shops have some neat stuff and great souvenirs. Also, ALL of the staff was amazing.

I would’ve given 5 stars if there were a lot more guard rails! Looking at the photos beforehand on Unilocal I didn’t think the drive would be scary — I thought it was! The husband drove– closed my eyes for the last half up the mountain. We were lucky it was sunny and got some amazing pics at the top. The way down wasn’t as bad (kept my eyes open the entire time).
If you’re afraid of heights, you probably won’t enjoy going up, but I think it’s not as scary as driving thru Yellowstone.

Fun trip. Don’t underestimate the effects of the altitude on the weather and your health. This is worth the time it takes to get to the top of the summit. The world famous donuts are a joke. LOL. They need to add a cashier or two b|c the lines were too long to buy anything. Views are spectacular and worth it getting there.

Worth every twist and turn to reach this beautiful peak! You can hike, bike, take a train, or drive your car up the mountain! Try the train up, bike down method! The views are spectacular on clear days! Bring a picnic and stop along the way up! The hiking is fantastic! Just be aware you are very high up and many people do suffer altitude sickness. Stay hydrated!!! The food available on top is terrible, so bring your own! While Colorado has its share of tourist traps, this is not one of them !! Enjoy the peak and in summer still bring a jacket or two!

Pikes peak is an amazing mountain when I first went to Colorado springs last year I was absolutely amazed how beautiful pikes peak was my family & I drove up the mountain & as terrified as I was driving on pikes peak it still was an amazing view.

Pictures nor words can describe the awesome views here when you take the drive up or train service when available.
They charge $ 10 a car to enter the Park and you get a informative brochure of pikes peak with admission. The drive up and down is winding with numerous tight curves and slopes plus there no barriers on one side so be careful if your driving! Pay Attention! They have several spots to pull off and admire and enjoy the spectacular views while driving. There’s signs with different animals letting you know what mile marker you’re at. The also have a Bigfoot Sign cause of people’s sighting them. The views of the Rocky Mountains are Breath Taking! Especially when they are covered in snow! I didn’t get to see any wild animals. There was very high winds when I was their. No Cell Phone Service So Beware and Be Careful!

Whoa!!! This place had some of the most amazing views. I absolutely loved stopping at the bottom of the mountain at the 4 mile mark and taking pictures of the summit. We stopped at a few different locations and eventually ended up driving 14 miles up. It was 27 degrees and windy at this point, with about 2 feet of snow. We weren’t allowed to go further up because it was too windy. Only downsides to this experience was that it was very touristy and none of the hiking trails had maps.

Neither words or pictures could ever possibly capture this breathtaking experience. They recently changed the pricing and now it’s $ 10 a person to drive up. I thought it was expensive but after that beautiful (yet insanely scary drive), I’d pay that again in a heartbeat. I’ve never pictured views like that were possible before; it was more beautiful than any postcard I’ve seen. I’m from Florida, so maybe that’s why it was extra special, almost surreal, to me.
I am afraid of heights, I even panicked a bit on the drive up, but I am SO glad we didn’t turn around. That feeling at the top of the summit is one I’ll always remember.

After reading several reviews of this we decided to make it part of our road trip around america. all i can say the ride up was fantastic .we fell lucky with the weater it was warm and clear you could see for miles at the top. you are at the edge or the road going up. its snakes its way around the mountain with some tight switch back corners. but from a bikers point it was fantastic.!.i did find i saw a lot more on the way down. So dont put off going its well worth it even if its just for the experience of the hill climb up.

Went in the winter. The mountain was beautiful but due to inclement weather, we were only allowed to go halfway up the mountain yet still had to pay full price. Many nice stops along the way to get out of the car and explore. The bright side is that it wasn’t busy — felt like my family and I were the only ones on the mountain, and for that I recommend going when the weather isn’t the best.
Would definitly come again in the fall or spring/​summer to enjoy the full view of being at the top. I seriously LOVE mountains man

Pro tip: avoid the gift shops and the tourist traps; just get yourself lost in the magnificence that is Pikes Peak. Also, it’s a great idea to stay hydrated and bring extra water (and maybe a few beers).
Seriously though, this place has so much hidden beauty. Park somewhere along the route, actually remove yourself from your vehicle, grab those beers you brought and take a stroll on one of the dozens of trails along the way. Crystal reservoir is probably the best spot for a photo op on the way up, just trust me on that.
When you do get to the summit be prepared for temperatures 30 – 50 degrees below that at the base of the mountain. If you must go into the gift shop I wish you luck. Be prepared to push your way through a crowd of people lining up to buy their tacky ‘I survived Pikes Peak’ souvenirs and subsequently leaving without any true appreciation for the place. Plus none of the food is worth any of your money — the donuts are plain and the food is reminiscent of bad cafeteria grub.

Not gonna lie, I was a little unsure that our minivan would make it all the way up the peak, but we did it and it was freakin AWESOME! Not for the faint of heart (literally and metaphorically– it’s not advised if you have a history of heart problems). Getting out of the car along the way was kind of an out of body experience. Light-​headed and short of breath while standing still? Kind of weird, but the views were RIDICULOUS.
The whole drive up and down took maybe 4 hours, and it was pretty dang cold outside of the car, but it was well worth it. This is the one thing I would say not to miss if you’re visiting Colorado Springs. Also– do yourself a favor and get a donut at the visitors center at the top.

Not many people visit Colorado Springs and NOT go up to Pikes Peak. Except me of course. Yeah, this was my 3^rd time visiting my brother in the Springs and I finally went up to freeze my ass. Seriously, it was a beautiful sunny day and about 67 degrees. When we got to the top, it was below zero and extremely windy.
I ran in to the warmth of the gift shop and grabbed a doughnut & hot chocolate. Then I walked out to check out the gorgeous views for about a nano second because my body could not handle the cold. Oh, and we also took the obligatory photo in front of the Summit’s sign.
I had already been in Utah & Colorado for about 2weeks prior to going up. We went up & down mountains up to about 11 000 elevation. But Pike’s Peak took my breath away. Literally & figuratively. I felt a bit dizzy and light headed. And it was difficult to breathe normally.
We took the cog up, because I was not in the mood for a white knuckle drive up. When I say, white knuckle, I mean me and not my husband that does the driving. I would be the one subjected to the no guard rails, steep drop offs on my side. Plus he wouldn’t be able to enjoy it because if he would take his eyes off the road, I would go ballistic!

This is a must see beautiful I wonderful place to visit with your family. It took us about four hours visit Bring water to sip on make sure your car has good breaks they do break checks leaving the mountain. $ 12 per person!

A lovely drive and a dizzying experience for all.
I ventured up the mountain and it was a great way to spend an afternoon. Lovely sights all the way up with a couple that are truly phenomenal. Don’t expect to race up this hill, there’s a strict 25 – 30 mph speed limit all the way up.
Once at the top, don’t be shocked if you’re a little dizzy, air is thin! The gift shop at the summit is nice. Do get one of their fresh donuts! I had one and it was perfect! Ever-​so-​slight crunch on the outside and nice and soft inside.
Also, bring a coat. It gets cold once the trees disappear.

Activity Type: Hiking
Nearby City: Manitou Springs
Length: 21.4 total miles
Elevation Gain: 7,500 feet
Trail Type: Out-​and-​back
Skill Level: Challenging
Trailhead Elevation: 6,600 feet
Other Uses: Leashed dogs OK
Local Contacts: Pikes Peak Ranger District, Pike National Forest
There’s ways to get to the top. By car. By train. By the Barr Trail. By way of The Incline. The latter I think would be suicide.
I chose the Barr Trail. It’s a long hike I deem challenging because of the length. Boredom set in for me. I met a total of four people on the way up.
The trail when you past the half way point is pretty much wide and relentless in length. I must admit I was by myself and even a lover of solitude like me sometimes it’s just too much.
I made a pit stop when I reached the Barr Camp. A cute very aggressive squirrel tried to climb me! An apple for fuel I pushed on to the top to be greeted by cars, people, train and questions. A 15 minute break and down I go. One thing I like about the Barr Trail is the easy run you can do on your way down. It shaved a good 2 hours or more if I just walked down. Let gravity do its job. It helped that I only had my day pack and I just ate my food. All I had left was my hydration pack. I loaded on three litters and started at 10am and I was at the Barr Trail parking lot by 5pm.

If you ever visit Colorado, you absolutely must visit Pike’s Peak. This adventure was a day of many firsts in a perfect way.
The day before we came here, we tried to reserve a spot on the cog train. The girl on the phone told us that they were completely sold out. We ended up renting an SUV and drove the mountain ourselves — there was no way we could miss this adventure.
The idea of driving up a mountain did scare me. I am from South Florida, where ants build our hills. I am not going to describe what my fears were putting in my head, but it was far from what we experienced.
We passed through the toll booth and made our way through the nicely paved roads. The ride up was smooth, and the most incredible, breathtaking thing you could ever imagine. It was like being in an airplane, except we were in a car. I could show you pictures and attempt to describe the views, but it honestly would never do it justice to what I experienced.
Besides the amazing views, something else exciting happened:
Being from Florida, I have never seen snow. Like NEVER.
We get to the summit, and the cloudy sky said let there be snow. After we checked out the gift shop and ate the «World’s Famous Doughnuts» we went outside to catch our breath (only 60% oxygen at the top, crazy right?). When we got outside, it started to snow. It was a light flurry. I just experienced snow for the first time folks.
Let me say this again, I experienced snow for the first time in 30-​something years at 14,110 ft on July 31. How epic was that? But wait, it gets better!
We saw a patch of snow on the way up. My friends demanded that we stop, so I could touch it for the for the first time. And we did. We stopped and had a mini snowball fight. Seriously, was I dreaming this all up?
Pike’s Peak is the most amazing thing I have ever experienced. I am not going to lie after you pass the 10ft mark; the drive did seem a little scary. We had a good, solid car and a good driver. Also, the roads are paved and safe while everyone drove slow like they were supposed to.
As for the experience, I’ll never forget this day for the rest of my life.

You can drive to the top or you can take the cog rail train up to the
top of the mountain. I have done some mountain climbing here and was
also good time. There is no word to describe the views on the top of
the mountain but i just recommend stopping yourself.

Do it. Drive to the summit. This is the most scenic drive with breathtaking views you will experience while in Colorado Springs. Be sure to stop at the Crystal Lake Reservoir, it’s beautiful. The drive will be about an hour, each way. Once you reach the top, don’t miss out on the homemade donuts. While the cocoa is not homemade, it’s a nice, warm treat to accompany the delicious donut. I’ll most likely drive up Pikes Peak each time I’m in Colorado Springs– it’s simply that beautiful.

I’m a car nut, so getting to drive this road was a dream! Glad to check this off my bucket list! Amazing road, incredible scenery, the whole experience was just breathtaking. I got there at 8:45am on a Weds and there were only 2 other cars in front of me waiting at the gate for them to open at 9am.
This was in May and they had a late winter, so only 13 of the 19 miles were open, but it was still plenty to see and just spectacular. Adding lots of pics, although most of mine are of the road, just because it was that awesome. :)

This place is beautiful! It’s $ 12 per car and the drive is not too scary and the views are amazing!!! There’s also plenty of stops along the way for the bathroom and snacks. We went at the end of May and could only go 13 miles– they blocked the road with a vehicle but it was still beautiful!!! You can climb some rocks and get an outstanding view at 13 mi! Would def go back.

Awesome, awesome, awesome! A must if you’re in the Colorado Springs /​Manitou Springs area. The drive is fun and the views are spectacular. The park folks are friendly and the fresh air is worth every penny. Although Pikes Peak is in Pike National Forest the road and facilities are owned and operated by the city of Colorado Springs so your National Parks pass does work here. No matter, totally worth it!

Ok, it was cloudy. There was NO view. (So we’ll just have to do this again…)
Still, it’s an adventure, an experience, and even if the gift shop is cheesy, I bought a Pikes Peak jacket (and I never do that).
You’re up way high, Stargate is around here somewhere, and if the clouds would just lift, you know you’d see aliens, or nirvana, or something. Maybe just a great view. But still…
Ok, yes, we’ll be doing this again, and next time I’ll bring the cloud eliminator device.

It’s a majestic, lovely mountain, take in all the wonderful splendor of natures beloved sights to see and feel grateful to marvel at its beauty and splendor. Leave no trace behind. There should be absolutely no good reason to take something as marvelous as Pikes Peak’s beauty for granted.

Memorial Day weekend, one of the first weekends I spent in town. I woke up early, and kept hearing about Pike’s Peak. Having no idea what it was or what it was about, I followed the signs and got there early. Mind you, at the base, it was about 60 degrees and slightly sunny.
I found the base, and the entrance was grand for a National park. The pay area almost looked like a lodge itself. It cost 12 $ to get in, and that was for the day– and to drive to the summit.
Speaking of the summit– it is a 19 mile drive to the top. So if you have a chance, pull over as soon as you can and read the pamphlet– it has a lot of tips to save your car and yourself. The first few miles of the drive are narrow, and have nice views. Windy and easy to lose direction.
There is a lake and a place to pan for gold around the 5 – 6 mile mark. Check it out if you have the time. The halfway point has a picnic area and restrooms as well. Around this point is when you can start to tell you are climbing. Mind you, this was my first weekend in a town a mile above sea level, so this whole altitude thing was new to me. I finally got to a lodge, where there was plenty of snow. The gate was closed to continue to the top. I knew they were bound to open it, so I took a nap in my car with the windows down. At this point– the weather was 34 degrees.
It seemed I slept about an hour or so– and woke up to about 40 cars around– it looked like they were letting cars up! I was excited– so I got in line and headed up. Mind you, at this point, it was very foggy– close to zero visibility.
The next 7 miles of my life were some of the toughest driving I have ever encountered in my life– as the wind picked up, the temperature dropped more, and it even started to snow furiously. Mind you this is while driving up a 2 lane road close to 13−14K feet in the air.
By the time I got to the top, I found the last parking spot. It was windy and snowing so hard, by the time I got into the summit shop, the rangers were saying we had to go back down– the weather was only getting worse. At the top, the weather was 17 degrees.
I was able to get a quick pic with the sign (it didn’t matter about the views– the fog was so thick you couldn’t see off the mountain anyway!) and head back to the car. It was intense, but freaking awesome.
On the drive down, the snow turned to hail. I was just glad when I got to the bottom I didn’t have to worry about going down a mountain anymore– that was a tough drive.
But I lived to tell the tale and after that they were not letting anyone go up– so I felt lucky to do so. I will definitely have to go back soon to see what the view looks like sans fog.
Not to be missed!

Do it.
We live here and one day it was about 60 here. Nice, balmy weather. So, I thought it’d be a great day to go to the peak. We did, but it ended up being –30 with wind chill up there. So be forewarned.
It was about 2 hours getting up there from the Springs. And when we got to the ranger station, they told us to keep our windows down because the wind was so strong it busted hers out this morning. She wasn’t kidding. When we got up there, there wind was so strong and it was so cold, my fingers went numb in minutes.
Be prepared for a scary drive. Tight curves. One lane in each direction. Snow, if you go when it’s cold. And you’re up really high. Duh.
View from the top is fantastic. Definitely take time to stop at the Crystal Reservoir. And keep your eyes peeled. Also, if you have to go to the restroom, stop and go at the hotel otherwise you’ll be SOL.
To get there, take the Cimmaron exit about 9.5 miles west. There will be signs. Then, take the Pikes Peak Hwy. You’ll pass Wines of Colorado on your left. Follow PPH, and you’ll hit a toll road.
It’s $ 10/​person in the winter. Price differs on age/​season:
If you want a buffalo burger after your adventure, check out Wines of Colorado. We didn’t have a great experience there, but I’ve heard from others it’s usually better. Also, in the summer they have creekside dining.