One of the most popular trails in the Pikes Peak region,
the Crags Trail (Forest Service Trail 664) in the Pike National Forest is an easy/moderate hike of less than 6 miles round trip
; it offers stunning views of the lower part of Pikes Peak and the surrounding areas.
How difficult is it to climb Pikes Peak?
Check out this 25.0-mile out-and-back trail near Manitou Springs, Colorado.
Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 13 h 23 min to complete
. This is a very popular area for backpacking, camping, and hiking, so you’ll likely encounter other people while exploring.
How do you climb up Pikes Peak?
The most popular way to get to the summit of Pikes Peak is
via the Barr Trail
. This 13-mile (one-way) hike gains 7,400 vertical feet in elevation from Manitou Springs to the 14,115-foot summit of Pikes Peak-America’s Mountain.
What is the best time to go up Pikes Peak?
The day of your hike, start early-early, like before the sun comes up. You want to be off the mountain by the afternoon. A general rule of thumb for high-altitude climbing in Colorado is to be headed down the mountain
before noon
, due to afternoon showers and storms, even in the summer.
Are there bears on Pikes Peak?
During the summer,
it’s not uncommon to see black bears roaming through local neighborhoods looking for leftovers
. If you were wondering why Coloradans have their trash locked down tighter than their mountain bikes, it’s because of these guys!
How many miles is it to the top of Pikes Peak?
Drive the
19-mile
paved toll road to the summit of Pikes Peak – America’s Mountain. Built in 1915, this winding road is the perfect scenic drive, offering views of lakes, mountains, wildlife and the surrounding area.
Does it cost anything to drive up Pikes Peak?
| December 1 to April 30 | Adults (16 and Over) $10 per person | Children (6 to 15) $5 per person | Carload Discount Rate (Up to 5 passengers) $35 per car | Carload Rate Additional Adults $7 per adult |
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How do you get up Pikes Peak without driving?
You can
take advantage of the Pikes Peak Cog Railway
instead of driving to the top of Pikes Peak. The Pikes Peak Cog Railway has been in operation since 1891 and is the highest cog railways in the world. The train will take you past waterfalls, pine and aspen forests, and spectacular mountain scenery.
What is so special about Pikes Peak?
Pikes Peak is
the 31st highest peak out of 54 Colorado peaks
. It is the farthest east of the big peaks in the Rocky Mountain chain, which contributed to its early fame among explorers, pioneers and immigrants and made it the symbol of the 1859 Gold Rush to Colorado with the slogan, “Pikes Peak or Bust”.
Do you need a reservation to hike Pikes Peak?
Not every attraction in the Pikes Peak region is requiring reservations to visit in order to comply with COVID-19 mandates
, but there are a few in the area that we highly recommend you purchase tickets in advance — even when there’s not a global pandemic.
How long does it take to climb the incline?
It takes the average person
2 hours
to hike up the Incline.
Is it cold at the top of Pikes Peak?
When you’re at the summit of Pikes Peak, you can expect the temperature to be
about 30 degrees cooler than it is at the depot in Manitou Springs
, and don’t be surprised if you experience all four seasons during your visit.
Is Pikes Peak worth the drive?
Driving up Pikes Peak Highway is definitely more of an adventure than taking the railway
. The 19-mile highway is lots of fun and you may even feel a little bit of an adrenaline rush driving up the steep curvy mountain roads with death drops on both sides. Or at the very least it will get your heart pounding.
Is there snow year round on Pikes Peak?
While not unheard of, since
it can snow all year at 14,115 feet
, so much snow is definitely unusual.
What animals live at the top of Pikes Peak?
Pikes Peak abounds with fascinating wildlife, and visitors frequently see
elk, deer, and yellow-bellied marmot
en route, plus Pikes Peak is home to one of Colorado’s largest bighorn sheep herds.
Are there moose on Pikes Peak?
Pike National Forest is home to some of the most abundant wildlife viewing in the region that range from turkeys to Moose
.
Are there mountain goats on Pikes Peak?
A must see for all Colorado visitors!
We were fortunate to encounter a herd of mountain goats who stopped traffic as they meandered across the road
. Great vistas from the top as well as many of the pullouts along the way.
Can you do Garden of the Gods and Pikes Peak in one day?
Yes you can visit both Garden of the Gods Park and Pikes Peak in one day
. The trip up Pikes Peak via the Cog Railway or the Pikes Peak highway takes approx. 3 hours round trip.
How many steps up the Seven Falls?
To reach the top, visitors must summit a staircase of
224 steps
. Once at the top the views are incredible. There are also two additional hiking trails located above the falls.
How late can you drive up Pikes Peak?
| Description May 1 to Nov. 30 Dec 1 to April 30 | Per Person (ages 16 & older) $15 $10 | Per Person (ages 6-15) $5 $5 | Family Plan (up to 5 passengers) $50 per vehicle $35 per vehicle |
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Is Pikes Peak Open right now?
Operational Hours: Pikes Peak – America’s Mountain is
open year round* – weather permitting
. Conditions change frequently, it is recommended to call our pre-recorded information line. The staff updates the info approximately 30 minutes prior to opening and then as conditions change throughout the day.
