By Brandon Ellis | June 1st, 2021
Rising 14,115 feet above sea level, Pikes Peak dominates the scenery of Colorado Springs from every vantage point. In fact, it was the very summit that inspired Katharine Lee Bates to write “America the Beautiful” when she climbed the purple mountain majesty in 1893. And now, it’s your turn to peak our iconic “14er” yourself! From Cheyenne Mountain Resort’s central location, you have easy access to plenty of options to ascend the mountain. How you choose to go up will depend on whether you want to test your endurance, or simply kick back and enjoy the view.
First and foremost, experience the Broadmoor Manitou and Pikes Peak Cog Railway, a long-standing Colorado tradition that just barely reopened after a two-year remodel! This unique ride can be the most hands-off and family-friendly of all our options. Book your tickets in advance for this four-hour, nine-mile journey up to the summit, rumbling along Ruxton Creek, past Minnehaha Falls, through Deer Park, and much more while spotting a range of wildlife and famous natural landmarks. It will be worth every second.
Or you can feel the thrill on a “Pikes Peak or Bust” Jeep tour with Adventures Out West. Enjoy unobstructed scenery and the feeling of the wind blowing through your hair as you drive up the 19-mile Pikes Peak Highway to the summit. An AOW Jeep Tour is quite a lifetime memory, their Cowboy guides, and well-maintained vehicles will ensure a fantastic adventure for your whole group.
For athletes, hiking enthusiasts, and anyone who enjoys a good challenge, take a more active approach by hiking or biking the 12-mile Barr Trail with 7,900 feet of sweat-inducing vertical gain! This is almost a rite of passage for us Coloradans. The view will be all that more rewarding when you reach the summit, plus you gain complete bragging rights from summitting one of the tallest mountains in the continental U.S.
If you are looking for the utmost ease and affordability, set your own pace and drive up Pikes Peak in your car on the Pikes Peak highway. This is by far the most popular way to the summit because you can pause for photo ops at every curve in the road or cruise up the winding highway with the windows down.
Whichever journey you choose to take, you will be rewarded with a breathtaking alpine vista complete with mountains, clouds, and a view showing off all of Colorado Springs. Plus, sometimes on a clear day, you can even see Denver’s skyscrapers in the distance. This mountain is that cool. It’s worth noting that the Summit House on top of Pike’s Peak is anticipated to start welcoming visitors by June 30, 2021. The restructuring of this iconic location will have high-tech exhibits that will give you a deeper dive into the 50-million-year-old mountain and it will have their world-famous donuts (yes, they are made at 14,115 feet!) Click here for updates on the Summit House.
So, what are you waiting for? We will see you at the top!
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