Pikes Peak Highway Tollgate — Local services in Woodland Park

Was up twice in a week. First visit, (Tue Night) the guy at the toll gate was a robot. Not friendly and asked how many kids even with his face in the car and it was very obvious that we had no kids. Since we went in at 5:30 PM he kept repeating that it closes at 7pm and we must be back to the gate by 8pm or we will get fined $500 if we don’t exit by then. So much for being friendly. The weather was great and it was worth the fee.

Second visit (Thursday night) we arrived by 5pm and the woman at the gate was much more friendly. We were not lectured at the time we much leave and I think she was smart enough to determine that we did not have kids in the car. The ride up & view were great but the ranger on the peak at 7 was running around at the top screaming that we must leave. The train arrived and I guess they did not want the sunset crowd to mingle with the people that drove up for some reason. Again, not sure that this idiot (ranger) could have been having a bad night but he really seemed to be having issues.. As usual I ignore idiots… And left when I wished and had an easy 15 minutes left to get to the gate. After the ranger antics my group vowed to never come back ! They got me twice.. As I will never spend a cent here again after watching this clown ranger.

Mt. Evans is a bit less developed and the road is more exciting. Also, its open 24/7 and only $10 a CAR ! vs....

Save your toll money for some extra trail mix. Hike up the other side. Or drive west through Woodland Park to Divide, CO then head south twords Cripple Creek. As you approach the incline going up over the pass, be alert and find a wide spot in the road where a tunnel used to be. Park there on your right. And then take your wife and little kids for a half day hike going back across the road to a trail leading up to the base of Sentinel Point. A mountain just west of Pike's Peak. It's an easy walk up to the top. Most unique views of Pike's Peak are to be had. With outstanding views for a hundred miles looking westward. If you somehow get stranded and need food and shelter...from the base of Sentinel Point head back down the valley. Leave your wife and kids on the trail as you hug the north side of the canyon...always with your family in sight as they continue along the trail. You will come to an outcropping of rock. Snoop around. You will find the entrance to Mr. Snare's stash. Food. Blankets. Flashlights. Comic books. Propane heater. Etc etc etc. Mr. Snare was our SIERRA CLUB sponsor. He said it's ok for you to use his emergency stash but you must promise to one day return and bring a few items to...

Terror, shear terror!!! They really don't warn you. They say use low gear, sounds doable. They don't tell you that at around 10,000, the roads get REALLY steep, go to 180+degree switch backs, run literally on the edge of sheer cliff drops of hundreds of feet. The total climb up is about 18 miles and the scary part is probably 4 to 5 miles, but it feels like 50! If you have any issue with heights or reasonable fear of death, take caution, and prepare for a white knuckle ride in both directions, and make sure you are really comfortable in the car you take, and in the driver you rise with!!! Sites along the way and at the peak we're amazing, but this was a one-time drive for me. Next time, I might opt to hike it, bike it or take the Cog railway, but I won't drive it again, and would NEVER, EVER ride as a...