Pikes Peak — Attraction in Colorado Springs

This is one massive, beautiful mountain rising from the plains the most dramatically in Colorado! In my experience, the cog railroad to the top is the best way to experience the mountain because, honestly, who wants to drive? You miss nearly all the scenery trying to stay on the road. More importantly, it's safer Save the drive for the Pikes Peak Hill Climb racers.

Regarding views from the summit, I've lived here all my life and I've seldom seen as far or as much as from here. If you see Longs Peak 102 miles to the NNW (and you can!), you'll see the only other place that beats the views. My last trip to the summit by train, I met a hiker who had just climbed up that morning after camping halfway up. He felt like riding down was a better way to spend his time and I could hardly blame him, being a round trip instead of an out-and-back, and the climb up Barr Trail is very tiring for the fittest athlete.

Incidentally, when you're at the summit be sure to find the monument to "America the Beautiful" by Katherine Lee Bates, a schoolteacher who made the trip by mule before they built the cog railroad. At the summit, reading the stanzas you don't know can move you in a way few patriotic songs can. In my opinion, it could be our national anthem.

By the way, altitude sickness is real. If you're unaware or you ignore the symptoms, it can kill you. Fatigue, headache and nausea are the big 3 to watch out for. If you get better after you lie down or go down in altitude, lie down as much as possible. Get down as soon as possible or do all you can to get medical attention. Altitude sickness can progress to HAPE or HACE, life-threatening conditions

One way to help avoid altitude sickness is to allow your body to acclimate to your environment. If you fly in to Colorado, wait a few days before taking on the mountain. If you arrive in Colorado Springs and you feel altitude sickness symptoms, Do NOT Go Up Pikes Peak! Rest a few days and let your friends visit places in town like Garden of the Gods, Glen Eyrie, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, or Manitou Springs. You will be glad you did, if only for avoiding an unpleasant experience. My first trip up at age 8 was almost my last.

Pikes Peak is not the tallest mountain in Colorado. Not hardly! It is only the 30th tallest mountain in the state, but it is one of the more dramatic. Providing superior views far out to the east, north and south, it rises over 7,000 vertical feet from the plains to the clouds.

Speaking of clouds, if you can't see the summit from in town, you will not be able to see a whole lot from the summit. Additionally, dress in layers and be prepared for winter weather. Snow can hit any month of the year at the summit. If it is 73°F. in town, subtracting 3 degrees F for every 1,000 feet in elevation, it will be only 52°F. at the summit, and colder if it is clouded over.

Oh! Watch for wildlife! I've encountered marmots, pikas, chipmunks, big horn sheep, deer, elk, and even pumas on this mountain. It's not an experience I care to repeat. What's something else to avoid? Lightning at altitude! Avoid going outside if its nearby. If your hands start tingling or you hear a buzzing in your ears, it's probably not you. It's the mountain telling you to seek cover inside a car, train, or building IMMEDIATELY. Do not go back outside until it's safe. Lightning kills more people on Colorado 14ers than falls or exposure, and you don't want to add to that statistic.

Well, I've done my best to prepare you. Pikes Peak is a fantastic, beautiful, and memorable experience no matter how you engage the mountain! Take as many pictures as you dare. Give yourself time to cope with the altitude, drink plenty of water, and pace yourself, especially if you are hiking. The mountain has been here a long time, so take your time experiencing it. I'm sure you will be thrilled by the "...purple mountain's majesty above the...

There’s a kind of hush that settles over you when the road winds toward 14,115 feet on Pike’s Peak—like you’re gently being lifted out of ordinary life and into a world where purple mountain majesties and amber waves of grain stretch beneath a sky so close you can almost touch it.

A Storied Ascent & Ingenious Engineering

Imagine the late 1880s: entrepreneur and inventor Zalmon Simmons—yes, the same man behind Simmons Beautyrest mattresses—struggles up the mountain on muleback just to inspect a telegraph insulator. Tickled and despairing in equal measure, Simmons resolved that this ascent ought to be “civilized.” So, in 1889 he bankrolled the bold construction of a cog railway, laid by hand by Italian laborers, pickaxe and mule leading the way. That first train then chugged to the summit on June 30, 1891—a marvel that would remain one of only three of its kind in the nation.

Fast-forward to 2021: a $100 million refurbishment restored the line to its glory, with newly modernized Stadler trainsets, upgraded tracks, and cushioned seating. Today, the ride crests the clouds at a stately 10 mph, rising through stands of Colorado blue spruce, dramatic quartz boulders, waterfalls, and, eventually, the lonely grandeur of the alpine tundra above tree line.

Donuts & Mountain Majesty

Back in 1888, after the Army left its weather station deserted at the summit, the mayor of Manitou Springs—finding a free real estate opportunity—began serving coffee and cake doughnuts to visitors. That tradition lives on today: the Summit House still fries those sky‑high donuts using a secret, century‑old recipe that only works at 14,115 feet. They somehow taste of history, adventure, and triumph—light as the clouds you’re floating above.

Katharine Lee Bates’s Inspiration

You and Kimberly standing at the summit couldn’t help but echo those same two lines of awe that struck Katharine Lee Bates in 1893: “purple mountain majesty” and “amber waves of grain.” That moment inspired the enduring verses of America the Beautiful, and a tiny plaque up there still honors her poetic epiphany. When you gaze across that horizon, you’re looking out at the very inspiration for a national hymn.

Your Drive in the Spirit of Small-Town Wonder

Driving—or riding—up Pike’s Peak today is much like a leisurely morning coffee on a country cabin porch. You pass through changing landscapes: shadowy pine groves, sunlit granite outcrops, then the mute, solemn stone of the summit. Those donuts, served with a knowing smile and a nod to old‑time traditions, taste sweeter for the effort. The Cog chugs on tracks laid a century ago, while the Visitor Center, carved into the mountainside, hosts displays that whisper of geology, heritage, and wind‑polished resilience.

Reflection on the Summit Porch Swing

As a fellow wanderer, I think of Pike’s Peak as your grandparent’s welcoming front porch—sturdy, storied, yet always ready to bless you with cinnamon-sugar comfort. My wife Kimberly and I didn’t just visit a peak; we stepped into a long American story of invention and perseverance. Each curve of the road, each thrum of the railway, each crisp bite of doughnut echoes human ingenuity and heart.

Kind Neighborly Advice

If someday you decide to make a visit: pause a moment by Devils Playground on your drive for a quiet reverie. Ask the conductor a bit of the old lore—these folks love to talk. And don’t rush off the summit. Sit awhile, breathe deep, and let the purple and amber views sink in. Then, with a donut in hand, you can travel back down feeling just a little more rooted to something timeless and splendid.

Safe travels, hon—may your next porch‑swing talk be blessed with stories just as...

Pikes Peak: A Majestic, Frigid, and Unforgettable Ascent

Pikes Peak, a towering sentinel in the Colorado Rockies, is an experience that transcends mere sightseeing. It's an immersion into high-altitude grandeur, a confrontation with the raw power of nature, and a memory that will be etched in your mind forever. My recent journey to its summit was a testament to its breathtaking beauty and the challenging conditions that make it so unique.

Reaching an elevation of 14,115 feet (4,302 meters), Pikes Peak dominates the landscape, offering panoramic views that stretch for hundreds of miles. The statistics alone are impressive:

Elevation: 14,115 feet (4,302 meters) Pikes Peak Highway: A 19-mile paved road to the summit. The Pikes Peak international hill climb, is a famous race that occurs on the peak.

The drive up the Pikes Peak Highway is an adventure in itself. The winding road, with its dramatic switchbacks and sheer drop-offs, demands attention and respect. As you ascend, the landscape transforms, from lush forests to rugged alpine terrain. And then, you reach the summit.

Upon reaching the peak, the view is simply awe-inspiring. The world unfolds before you, a vast expanse of mountains, valleys, and plains. On the day of my visit, a blanket of snow covered the summit, adding an ethereal quality to the already stunning scenery. The air was crisp and thin, and the temperature was well below freezing.

The experience was one of stark contrasts: the brilliant sunshine against the stark white snow, the breathtaking beauty against the harsh conditions. It's a place where you truly feel the power of nature.

Here are some key things to know before you visit:

Dress Warmly: This cannot be emphasized enough. Even in the summer, the summit of Pikes Peak is cold. Layering is essential, and be sure to bring a warm coat, gloves, and a hat. The wind chill can be intense, and the weather can change rapidly. Altitude Sickness: The high altitude can cause altitude sickness, so it's important to take it easy and drink plenty of water. If you're prone to altitude sickness, consider spending a night or two in Colorado Springs to acclimate before heading up the mountain. Check the Weather: Pikes Peak's weather is notoriously unpredictable. Before you go, check the forecast and be prepared for anything. Brake Checks: when driving down the peak, it is very important to utilize lower gears in your vehicle, to minimize the use of your brakes. The park rangers do perform brake checks, to ensure that vehicles are not in danger of brake failure.

Pikes Peak is more than just a mountain; it's a symbol of the American West, a testament to the enduring beauty of nature. Whether you're a seasoned adventurer or a casual traveler, a visit to Pikes Peak is an experience you won't soon forget. It is truly a must...