What Is It - There are many towering mountains in the Rockies and Alaska. The best known and most visited one in the United States is Pike’s Peak located west of Colorado Springs which rises to a height of 14,115 feet. While there are over two dozen higher peaks in the country, Pike’s Peak has developed into a popular destination because of its historic association with the development of the west, commanding views, and easy access to the summit.

This natural wonder served as a key landmark for hundreds of thousands of frontier settlers and forty-niners heading west during the 19th century. The view from the top is believed to have served as an inspiration for the song “America the Beautiful” written in 1893. Today, over a million people visit the mountain annually and continue to be awed and inspired after reaching the summit by either riding the 131-year-old Broadmoor Manitou and Pike’s Peak Cog Railway or driving on a nineteen-mile-long toll road. 

History

The mountain was known to the local Ute tribe of Native Americans and referred to as the Sun Mountain. Nevertheless, the mountain became known as Pike’s Peak after explorer Zebulon Pike led a government survey expedition into the area in 1806. Pike became fascinated by the mountain and tried without success to reach the summit in early winter. Others eventually others did and once the region became populated and reachable by rail in the late 1800s, the Pikes Peak area became known for its mineral springs and mule trips to the summit. 

The first railroad on the mountain was completed in 1891 so that by the turn of the century tourists could ride on a train coach powered by a steam engine to the Halfway House Hotel or visit the Summit House to experience a panoramic view of the surroundings for only twenty-five cents. Subsequent decades brought innovations including the construction of a cog railway system, diesel and electric powered locomotives, self-powered railcars which could carry up to two hundred people per trip, and special snowplows which opened the tracks for year-round operation. Starting in 2018, the railroad owners and the U.S. Forest Service launched a three-year plan to upgrade the site’s equipment and infrastructure which was recently completed. In addition to rebuilding the tracks, the Swiss railcars, and the rail station and gift ship, a new Visitor Center opened at the summit containing more exhibits, outdoor displays, parking areas and a high-altitude research laboratory. Meanwhile, other popular activities such as the annual Pikes Peak Climb automobile race along with biking and running contests are held on the mountain each summer.

Experiencing the Summit

A visit to the site by the rail starts at the Manitou Depot at an elevation of 6950 feet above sea level. From there, trains depart about every 45 minutes on a three-hour round trip to the summit. Along the nine-mile route, you will rise a stunning 7500 feet to the summit at an average grade of fifteen percent. People should not underestimate the physical effects of transitioning to such heights. Some people experience light headiness, headaches or nausea from the high elevation so staying hydrated, taking your time, and if possible, spending time in the higher elevations of Colorado Springs or the surrounding area prior to your trip to Pike’s Peak will be beneficial. My son and I both felt a bit woozy at the summit and took the first train back down after about an hour up there. 

As you can imagine, the long-distance views from the summit and on the train trip are spectacular. While fog, rain or cloudiness can occur, you can see other snow topped mountains around you as well as lush green valleys, plateaus, and lakes below. People claim that the viewing area extends for one hundred miles into five different states. The train and roads to the summit begin in foothills zone which includes small bushes and trees and abundant wildlife. Above that at elevations of 8000 to 11,500 feet are the montane and subalpine zones which feature forests of pine, fir and aspen trees, and large animals such as deer, elk, bear, and mountain lions. The alpine zone above 11,500 feet can be quite rocky and bare with moss and flowers. It is inhabited by bighorn sheep and marmot. 

Interesting Facts - The granite cliffs of Pike Peak were formed over millions of years by erosion. Incredibly, portions of this elevated area once included an ancient sea and dinosaurs as evidenced by fossils uncovered here. 

How to Get Here - Many people travel to Pike’s Peak from Denver by driving there by car or taking a tour from Denver which is slightly more than two hours away on Interstate 25 south. Visitors staying in Colorado Springs nearby or flying into its airport can reach the Cog Railway depot at Manitou Springs in less than a half hour from the Colorado Springs airport or the popular Broadmoor luxury resort by traveling on Route 24 west. The parent company of the Broadmoor is one of the owners of the railway. 

When to Go - While the site remains open year-round, the views and railway experience are best during the prime weather months of May to September. Remember that daytime temperatures at the summit average only about 50 degrees during the summer and the highest recent temperature recorded there one July day was only 64 degrees. In addition, there are fewer amenities when visiting offseason and road conditions on the mountain can be dicey during the winter.

Cost- Admission to the railway, summit structures, and viewing platform is $58 for adults and $48 with an additional $10 charge for reserved seating. General admission to the roadway to drive to the summit is $50 per vehicle until November 30 and $35 per vehicle from December 1 to April 30. Access to the North Slope Recreation Area is $5 per adult.