The Pikes Peak Highway

Top Activity on "Things To Do In Colorado Springs" - Scenic Drive To The Pikes Peak Summit

Introduction To The Pikes Peak Highway - America's Road

If you're the average visitor to Colorado Springs and you're from a state without mountains, driving to the top of Pikes Peak is an activity that I highly recommend. If your time is limited, put this at the top of your list as something to do among the many attractions in the region.
Yes, there is a pricey entrance fee. Pay it anyway. Go. It's true its more enjoyable to reach the summit of Colorado's 14ers by foot, driving up is still a glorious thing. Although I have nothing negative to say about the Cog Railway, I do like the Pikes Peak Highway more for the following reasons: 1) You can take your time and stop anywhere along the road, for there is a lot to see, 2) You can spend as much as time as you want at the summit. Below are my photos from a number of visits over the years.
Directions: From Colorado Springs and/or Manitou Springs, travel west on U.S. Highway 24 into the mountains. Beyond Manitou Springs, you'll reach the town of Cascade, where there is a large sign to make a left for Pikes Peak. Travel on a local road in Cascade and make another left at a sign that leads to the Pikes Peak Highway gate.

Photos and commentary by Steve Garufi. Facebook - Twitter - Pinterest - Google Plus

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November 2007 - Photos
Visiting Colorado Springs, I made the scenic drive up Pikes Peak on the Pikes Peak Highway. I lived in Colorado Springs and Manitou Springs from 1997-2005, and one thing I regret is it not spending much time in this high elevation mountain region. The various hikes above timberline, the photography opportunities and its availability to get the heck away were all things I wish I had done more.
Adjacent is my first photo near the beginning of the road.

The Crystal Creek Reservoir with Pikes Peak behind This spot is at Mile 6 with the summit sitting at Mile 19.

Heading upward, slowly but surely.

Things became more snowy as we reached Glen Cove (second photo).

Remember, there are 54 Colorado 14ers in this state. Among those, two have roads to the top: Pikes Peak and Mount Evans.
Other 14ers I've climbed:
Mt. Sneffels
Quandary Peak
Mt. Sherman
Mt. Princeton
Mt. Massive
Also, here's my hike of Pikes Peak in 2002: Pikes Peak Via Barr Trail

Lots of switchbacks like this one.

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 Range (where I live) way out there; those farthest peaks out there are them!

Continuing up. Pikes Peak's head can be seen behind this "false peak" to the left.

At the summit. I banged my head against the sign and it hurt! Craziness! :)

Four photos 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.
Some of my better Colorado Springs pages:
Gold Camp Road
Williams & Waldo Canyon
Palmer Park
Manitou Incline
Rainbow Falls (Manitou Springs)
Rampart Range Road
Pulpit Rock
Adopt A Highway

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 odd and almost like I'm giving a different finger gesture. :o)

The very end of the line of the Cog Railway.
My buddy Scott, who came along for the drive, actually placed his tongue on that metal pole. Yikes!

Two more photos while coming down. You can't beat the Colorado mountain scenery folks ... go!

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Photos - September 2004
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A visit with Bernie, Nick and Kansas Kelly.	Nick participated in extreme ironing on top of the mountain.
Traveling up the road.	Nice view of the many switchbacks.

Visits On August 2000 and September 2001
Pikes Peak Highway Hot Breaks Fail
LEFT: Nice view of the road and scenery beyond.
RIGHT: Hot breaks indeed fail. Don't ride your breaks while riding down. Put your car in a lower gear. ;)

Cog Railway Pikes Peak Barr Trail Sign
LEFT: The Cog Railway Train working its way up.
RIGHT: The sign at Barr Trail. A 13 mile hike back to Manitou Springs.

Pikes Peak Donuts
LEFT: My younger brother and I during our visit in August 2000.
CENTER and RIGHT: Enjoy one of their "world famous" donuts at the top. :)