Pikes Peak

June 8, 2012


I know I have already blogged about Pike's Peak but this time we drove to the summit, rather than take the train, and it definitely deserves another blog post!


There a few pros and cons to driving vs. taking the cog train.  Pros - it's a beautiful drive, you can spend all the time at the top that you want, it's slighting cheaper, and there is a lot to see along the drive.  Cons - It's a scary drive!!!  Also, it's crowded, and of course wear on the brakes.  Having done both, I preferred the drive to the top.  My V8 truck handled it very well and I read and followed all the recommended driving instructions (see below).

Crystal Creek Resevoir

Take Your Time ... at least two hours

• The 39-mile round trip to the summit takes about two hours, not including time you spend at the stops along the way.
• The speed limit on the highway is 25 mph.
• All vehicles should have at least a half tank of gas.
• Uphill traffic has the right-of-way at all times.
• Do not pass on corners.
• Watch for maintenance equipment on the road, and do not straddle rocks or grader ridges.
• When stopping, use the turnouts provided. If you must stop on the roadway, choose a straight section so your vehicle is visible to the other motorists.
• If your engine begins to labor on steeper grades, shift to a lower gear to maintain speed and engine cooling. Shift an automatic transmission manually to stay in a lower gear.
• When you reach the summit, run your engine at fast idle for a few minutes to dissipate engine heat.
• On the way down, use your vehicle’s lowest gear to allow the engine to brake your vehicle. Above all, don't ride your brakes as this will cause them to overheat and possibly fail.
• If you plan to be away from your vehicle for an extended period, leave a plainly visible note on the windshield saying where you are going and when you will return.
• Information obtained from  http://pikespeak.us.com/Essentials/driving-tips.html

The most important tip I can give is give your breaks a rest and stay in low gears.  When descending from the summit there is a break check half way down, and if your breaks are too hot you have to wait at the visitor's center while they cool off.  I stayed in 1st or 2nd gear all the way down and my brake temperature was fine.

View from the Summit of Pike's Peak

Once at the summit there are lots of things to do.  First, you have to try the homemade donuts.  They are not like any other donuts I've ever had but they are delicious!  I was able to find a coupon for a free donut on this website http://www.aramarkparksanddestinations.com/landing-pages/pikes-peak/donut-coupon.aspx.  I hope it still works, but you cannot miss these donuts!  Second, have your photo taken at the summit sign.  After all, you are standing at 14,110 feet, so you have to have the proof!  Lastly, shop, shop, shop!  

Molly, our Travel Partner

The drive to the summit is breathtaking.  We brought Molly, our beagle/boxer mix, along for the ride.  She had her nose out the window the whole time.  I guess there are a lot of different smells. She seemed to enjoy the trip as much as we did.  

Look Closely, See the Zig Zag Switchbacks?  That's Your Route to the Summit!  SCARY!!!

The most interesting photo spot is the "Big Foot Xing" sign.  The sign reads "due to sightings in the area of a creature resembling "Big Foot" this sign has been posted for your safety."  There have been numerous sightings of a Big Foot type creature, dating back to 1988.  


We didn't see any creatures resembling Big Foot on our trip, but we thought it was an interesting picture.  Maybe next time!