Pikes Peak is one of the most famous mountains in the US. America's mountain offers visitors a combination of cultural significance, an exhilarating drive, and magnificent views that are truly unique.
There's more than one way to reach the top for the spectacular views.
We visited Pikes Peak a few years ago, and I got to drive the entire way up and back down again!
Based on our own experiences, I have a few tips to share that should help you make the most of your visit to America's mountains.
This post has been edited to reflect the addition of a visitors center at the summit.
Colorado is famous for its mountains. The Colorado Rocky Mountains are very high, with many of the peaks reaching heights above 14K feet. Avid mountain climbers love these peaks, locally known as "Fourteeners."
Many Colorado climbers do something called "Fourteener Bagging," which involves climbing to the top of as many of these mountains as possible.
Pikes Peak provides mere mortals with a rare opportunity to bag a fourteener! With a paved road all the way up to the peak, this is your chance to breathe in some real—and very thin—mountain air.
There are several things you need to know before you go there, though, to ensure your visit is enjoyable and safe.
For an unforgettable fall experience, check out our guide to National Parks for fall foliage and enjoy the season's changing colors.
1. Pikes Peak is easy to reach
Pikes Peak is in Colorado, fairly close to one of the state's largest cities, Colorado Springs. There's a lot to do and see in and around Colorado Springs, so if you're planning a trip to Pikes Peak, make sure you include at least a couple of days for some sightseeing around town.
Pikes Peak is really close to town. It will take you about twenty minutes to drive from the center of Colorado Springs to the Pikes Peak Highway toll booth.
2. Pikes Peak is an American Icon
In the late 19th century, Pikes Peak inspired poet Katharine Lee Bates to write a song. At first, she named it "Pikes Peak," but later, the title changed to "America The Beautiful."
This patriotic song, celebrating the beauty of the United States, is considered akin to the national anthem, and Pikes Peak thus became known as "America's Mountain."
If you're not an American, take a few minutes to read up on the song or at least listen to it here. It will make your visit to the summit all the more special.
When visiting Pikes Peak, stop for a minute to appreciate the poem engraved on a plaque at the top of the mountain -
3. This is not a National Park
That means you can't use your annual national parks card to save money. This is somewhat ironic, considering the card is called "America The Beautiful," but since you're essentially paying for the use of thehigh-maintenance road, I think that's reasonable.
While thereis a small ranger's station along the Pikes Peak Highway, these are Forest Service rangers.A ranger will pull you over on your way down and perform a curtsey check of your brakes.
That's what they're there for. Don't expect any ranger programs, an educational visitors center with a movie, or any of the services provided in most national parks.
4. There's more than one way to get up to the summit
Pretty much anyone can "bag" this summit! If you can't make it on foot (and most of us can't), you can drive up there. Can't drive? Take the train!
Climbing Pikes Peak on foot
This is nostroll in the park!
Barr Trail is the most popular path to the summit of Pikes Peak. Starting at Manitou Springs, it's considered a good trail—good enough for running the annual Pikes Peak marathon.
That said, we're talking about a steep hike of more than 13miles (21km) with a total elevation gain of7,800 feet (2,400m)!While not a technical climb per se, the trail is rated as "advanced."
Reaching the summit would take six to ten hours, and the hike is not devoid of risks (more on the risks of climbing later in this post). The trail is managed by the Forest Service, and you can read more about it here.
Driving up the mountain
Obviously, driving is faster and easier than hiking, but it can still take a while.
Although the paved toll road may only be 19 miles (31 km) long, with over 150 switchbacks and quite a bit of traffic at times, plan for at least one hour between the toll booth and the summit.
It's a beautiful drive, though, so it's highly recommended that you drive slowly and pull over occasionally to take in the views.
While the road is supposed to be paved all the way through, some areas may be temporarily scraped off for maintenance, especially during spring. Which means you may come across an unpaved road patch.
Don't worry; it should be entirely passable. This is what it looked like when we traversed a "dirt road" stretch along the road back in June 2011. Not too bad, is it?
The cost of driving up to the summit and back down is determined by the number of passengers and the time of year. Check the website for current rates.You don't need to make reservations; just show up at the tollgate, pay your fee, and drive on.
The cog train
The cog train slowly pulls you all the way up and then takes you down. The journey lasts three hours and ten minutes, and you also get half an hour at the top to enjoy the views.
Check their website for all available rates and timetables.
5. Climbing up Pikes Peak on foot can be dangerous
Some Fourteeners are easier to climb, while others are more technical. They are all challenging - and potentially dangerous - for a novice.
This is not simply a "difficult hike." At these altitudes, you really need to know what you're doing. The combination of altitude sickness and mountain weather can be deadly, and every year, the Colorado peaks claim the lives of a dozen or so climbers.
While Pikes Peak isn't considered a technically challenging Fourteener, you should not attempt to climb it on foot unprepared. You should be very fit, acclimated to heights, and prepared for the weather.
And by weather, we're talking about a potential difference of 40 degrees between the trailhead and the summit.
Setting out on a hot summer day doesn't mean you can spend your time at the summit in shorts and a tee. It can even snow on the summit - any time of the year! Dress accordingly, and don't forget to carry plenty of water.
Be prepared
Being prepared for the climb can literally mean the difference between life and death.If you're thinking about climbing on foot, do yourself a favor and read upeverything you can about climbing the Fourteeners of Colorado, including this particular summit.
Taking the fast route
If you're totally nutsinto that sort of thing,you can even race up the mountain...
Two races are held at Pikes Peak every year. The first is the Pikes Peak Ascent, in which runners race along the Barr trail all the way to the summit.
If you decide to keep running your day down as well (same route), then you'll be running the second event: the Pikes Peak marathon. You can find more information about these events here.
4. Driving up Pikes Peak can also be dangerous
This road has a history of road accidents, many of them fatal. The good news is that these mostly happen during races.
Having driven this road myself, I'm amazed that some people are crazy enough to try and race it up to the top, but hey, there was never a shortage of "crazy" on this planet.
The Race to the Clouds is the annual Pikes Peak motorized race. Officially, it's calledPikes Peak International Hill Climb.
Looks like fun? I spared you the Youtube compilations of accidents...
What about regular driving though?
Assuming you're not racing up the mountain, driving up the road really isn't that bad. The road is wide, paved, and well-maintained.
Dozens and dozens of switchbacks mean the grades are manageable for pretty much any kind of vehicle. Just slow down at the curves and you should be just fine.
Going down, avoid using the brakes by downshifting to the lowest possible gear and letting the engine do the braking for you. If your car has both 1 and 2 marked - choose 1.
Yes, that means driving very slowly.
You have to though because if you use the second gear, the steep grade is going to force you to touch your brakes at each one of the countless switchbacks and your brakes will heat up.
I know that because that's what happened to us. I was sure I was doing fine switching between first andsecond gear on our way down.
Fortunately, there's a ranger that stops you on the waydown, about halfway along the drive, to check your brakes. He put his thermometer under our minivan and let us know that our brakes were heating up and we had to pull over for 15 minutes to let them cool.
We weren't the only ones who had to do that. So, unless you want to take a nice long break in the middle of your drive, use only the first gear.
5. The weather can be challenging
No matter how you get to the top - via car, train or on foot - it can be very cold once you're up there. If you check the weather, you may notice that it usually doesn't go below freezing point in July and August - not even at night time.
That's a bit misleading though because the winds at the summit add a significant chill factor. We visited on a sunny day in late June and still had to wrap up the kids and ourselves, using every layer we could find in the car.
6. It's high enough to get altitude sickness
Unless you're acclimated to this altitude, you will feel the effects. The air is thin at the summit and holds about 60% of the oxygen your body is used to.
Prepare to feel out of breath as soon as you get out of your car.Ten minutes into our stay at the summit, I began to feel dizzy whenever I turned my head.
If you have any medical problem which could affect your breathing, ask your doctor before visiting the Pikes Peak summit. You should also follow these guidelines -
- Keep hydrated by drinking plenty of water throughout the day
- Avoid alcohol.
- Don't start running around. There's no need to and you should conserve your oxygen and avoid unnecessary physical exertion.
7. There is now something to do once you reach the top of the mountain!
Back when we climbed Pike's Peak, all you could do was get to the observation deck where you had the "America The Beautiful" monument. You would take in the views, maybe go around the summit house and take more pictures.
And that was about it.
Thanks to a comment left here on the blog, I learned that as of 2021, there's a Visitors' Center up on the mountain!
The Pikes Peak Visitors Center offers interpretive displays inside the building, and on the outside too. There are also bathrooms, WiFi and even a coffee shop with high-altitude donuts (they say these should be consumed at the summit or they will lose their fluffiness!)
So, should you visit Pikes Peak?
Absolutely! If you love road-tripping this one should definitely be on your Bucket List. An awesome drive that gives you a chance to visit one of the most iconic summits in all of the USA for views from the top of the world. What's not to like? We loved it and I'm sure you will as well!
Have you been to Pikes Peak? Did you drive up there, or did you take the train or maybe hiked all the way up? If you've never visited, I'm curious to know which would be your favorite form of ascent, so leave me a comment and let me know!
If planning a broader trip, consider visiting the Guadalupe Mountains National Park for more breathtaking natural beauty.
