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I was in
Colorado Springs overnight and on Saturday afternoon,
I made the scenic and leisurely drive up Pikes Peak on the Pikes Peak Highway.
I lived in Colorado Springs and Manitou Springs
from 1997-2005, and if there is one thing I regret, it would be not
spending much time in this area. The various hikes above timberline,
the photography opportunities at the summit and available of getting away
on a scenic drive are all things I should have taken advantage of.
Anyway, here's a photo near the beginning of the road. |
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The Crystal Creek Reservoir with Pikes Peak.
This spot is at Mile 6 with the summit being at Mile 19. |
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Heading upwards, slowly but surely. |
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Things started becoming much more snowy as we reached Glen Cove (right). |
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Now folks, I must say that driving up 14ers
(as opposed to actually hiking up them) is something I generally frown upon.
Still, I can't this is a really pretty and worthwhile activity if you're in Colorado Springs.
Here are 14ers I hiked this year:
Mt. Belford
Mt. Sneffels
Quandary Peak
Mt. Sherman
Mt. Yale
Mt. Antero
Oh and here's my hike of Pikes Peak in 2002:
Pikes Peak Via Barr Trail |
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Lots of switchbacks like this one. |
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Past the Devil's Playground area, there are
grand views of the mountains to the west. I could easily see
Mt. Princeton and the Sawatch Mountains (where I live)
way out there; Those farthest peaks out there are them! |
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Continuing up. Pikes Peak's head can be seen behind this
"false peak" to the left. |
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At the summit. I banged my head
against the sign and it hurt! :( |
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Four photo atop Pikes Peak.
TOP: The easterly view of Colorado Springs.
SECOND: The southeasterly view of some neighboring mountains including Almagre Mountain,
Sheep Mountain and Cheyenne Mountain.
THIRD: The northeasterly view.
BOTTOM: The view to the north. The Catamount Reservoirs and Crystal Creek
Reservoirs are closest, with the Rampart Reservoir a little farther out to the east.
Woodland Park and the canyon known as "Ute Pass" can also be seen.
A few of my pages from this area:
Gold Camp Road
Williams & Waldo Canyon
Palmer Park
Manitou Incline
Rainbow Falls (Manitou Springs)
Cheyenne Mountain Zoo
Adopt-A-Highway #1
Adopt-A-Highway #2
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Inside the gift shop, I really liked the
selection of Pikes Peak hats with the large "P" on the front.
I tried to look cool like Alana (who visited the Maroon Bells with me)
by raising my index finger and pinky like she would frequently do, but
instead it looks stupid and it kind of looks like I'm giving
a uh, different finger gesture. :( |
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The very end of the line of the Cog Railway.
My buddy Scott actually placed his tongue on that metal pole! |
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Two photos coming down. It was nice to go up there!
It reminded me of our similar visit in 2004 during the Colorado Guy Festival. You can see those photos here. |
