Pikes Peak — Attraction in Four Corners States

We decided to do the drive at the end of the day so were advised to drive straight up to the summit, so we had some time to take in the views. We didn’t really know much about it before driving up, and did wonder what all the fuss and entrance fee was all about. Before doing the drive make sure you have more than half a tank of fuel. Also if anyone has a heart condition/health worries or afraid of heights, it may be worth thinking about whether you want to do the drive. Being at over 14,000ft can make you feel light headed and dizzy. If you are able though, you will be blown away by the views. The car was quite quiet on the way up, except for ‘wow’ and ‘oh my, look at that drop!’.

Beautiful views and we lucked out on a seasonally unusual warm clear day, so we could see for miles and miles. So many mountains to marvel at. You will probably need a hat, gloves and coat at top, as windchill can be chilly. There are viewing scopes and a summit sign to prove you have stood on the top. All of our photos had us looking a bit goofy due to the thinning air. We felt a bit punch drunk.

There is a shop/cafe/restrooms at the summit and at various spots on way up. The cafe sells burgers, fries and hotdogs. The shop stocks lots of patches, stickers, clothes etc. On the way back down take it easy on your brakes and use low gears otherwise you will end up with very hot steaming brakes. One of the rangers stops you to check the temperature just in case. Enjoy the views, it...

See for more than 100 miles on a clear day The drive up was beautiful. The road was in good shape and wide enough to not feel dangerous. There are many places to pull over and stop to enjoy the scenery. The road is winding and many switch backs as you would expect. The cost of $12 per person is reasonable and much less than the Cog Railway. You have to pay attention during the drive but it's not that hard. Just go slow. The scenery at the peak is excellent on a clear day. You can easily see Colorado Springs down below and well beyond. There are several lakes in the view. You climb through several climate zones and it's very obvious as you go from one zone to another. The peak is well above the tree line at 14,110 feet so there is only small bushes as you get closer. We saw some mountain goats along the way. Advice: Drive all the way up first, see the view from the top, then stop at the various overlooks on the way down as you want to after seeing the very top. Also, try to time your drive so you reach the top between cog railway stops. On the day went, the cog railway left the base at 9:30 and left the peak at 11:15. Until 11:15, it was pretty crowded with a school field trip and a couple of tour groups. After the cog railway left, it was much quieter and much more enjoyable. Be careful about altitude. The air is thin and it doesn't take much to be out of breath so take things slowly. The gift shop is small. The building needs some...

Two words best describe Pikes Peak: Simply breathtaking!

Reaching the summit via Pikes Peak Cog Railway was an experience! We went the end of September where the starting ground temperature was a comfortable 85 degrees. By the time we reached the summit, the temperature was just below 40 degrees. Dress in layers and/or bring a warm jacket or coat. You'll need it. A hat for windier days is also a good idea. Check the forecast before you head up. We had a beautiful, clear day and it really makes a difference in your line of sight and what you can see below.

Suggestions: By the train you have a limited amount of time to explore, about an hour. Via vehicle you have more time to visit and walk around. For first timers though, I would recommend the train for ease of a guided tour.

Also, keep in mind you're reaching a much higher altitude -- 14,000+ feet -- so it may be more difficult to breathe. And altitude sickness is a real thing. Drink plenty of water before heading up, take some with you and be mindful of how you feel. Keep drinking water! I am active and just running up a flight of stairs outside the visitor's center shot my heart rate up from a normal 70 range to 135 in seconds according to my Fitbit. It was crazy to see that. Overall, I felt great, but I witnessed others needing/using oxygen cans -- which apparently Walmart sells. I digress.

Overall, it was a fun and unique experience and definitely something I would love to do again...