The trail is well-marked and is traveled often, providing packed dirt and rocks and an easy trail to follow. The time to get to the top of Pikes Peak varies by hiker, but the average time is
between 6-10 hours
.
Can an average person hike Pikes Peak?
Hiking Pikes Peak is
not for everyone
It’s a long, hard, 13.5-mile climb uphill with a gain of about 7,400+ feet in elevation. Basically, it’s a half-marathon in hiking form.
How much does it cost to hike 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 |
|---|
What is the best month to hike Pikes Peak?
Pikes Peak is the highest summit of the southern Front Range of the Rocky Mountains. The top of Pikes Peak can be very stormy, it is recommended to start this hike very early and get to the peak by noon. The
summer months
are the best time of year to plan the summiting of Pikes Peak.
What is the best time of day to visit 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.
Is it hard to breathe on Pikes Peak?
The air is thin at the summit and holds about 60% of the oxygen your body is used to
. Prepare to feel out of breath as soon as you get out of your car.
Is Pikes Peak a difficult hike?
Overview. The Pikes Peak Barr Trail is
one of the most difficult hikes you will find in the Pikes Peak region
. It is an advanced level trail because of the 12+ mile distance to the Pikes Peak Summit and its 7,800 feet altitude gain.
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 do I train to hike Pikes Peak?
Get out a few days per week with a loaded backpack. Gradually build up from just 1 hour of sustained hiking to as many as 8 hours of total effort
. Walking on dirt or rocky trails, preferably uphill, is the best way to emulate the challenges that await you on the slopes of the Peak.
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 Pike Peak Open?
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.
Is Pikes Peak a 14er?
Some of the Colorado’s best-known fourteeners
include the tallest, Mount Elbert; Pikes Peak, which inspired the poem “America the Beautiful”; and Longs Peak, which resides inside Rocky Mountain National Park.
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.
What class is Pikes Peak?
Pikes Peak is a very busy mountain, largely due to its proximity to Colorado Springs and its
class 1
route.
How do you get down from Pikes Peak?
We provide
daily shuttles from the summit of Pikes Peak back to the Barr Trail trailhead parking lot
. Shuttles depart the summit at 1:00pm and 4:00pm. If you wish to catch a ride up to the summit to hike down Barr Trail, you can book that service instead, which departs from the Barr trailhead parking lot at 11:00am.
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.
How cold does it get on Pikes Peak?
| CURRENT WEATHER CONDITIONS Pikes Peak – 14,115 feet – 4302 meters 38° 50′ 27′′N – 105° 02′ 31′′W 4/17/2022 02:55 AM Updated and refreshed every 5 minutes. | Current Today’s Lows and Highs | Wind Chill 10 min. avg. -4.0 -4.7 @ 2:37 AM | Wind Speed 10 min. avg. 21.4 N 27.1 @ 12:11 AM | Wind Gust (speed when refreshed) 20.0 N 32.2 @ 12:07 AM |
|---|
Is it free to 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 |
|---|
Do I need oxygen on Pikes Peak?
Most of the peak’s mountainous attractions are at higher elevations ‒ specifically at least 7,000 feet above sea level. This altitude is capable of producing altitude sickness ‒ an uncomfortable and potentially dangerous condition caused by the
lack of oxygen at higher elevations
.
Do you need oxygen at Pikes Peak?
The summits of Pikes Peak and Mount Quandary are roughly the same, both at
about 41 to 42 percent less oxygen compared to sea level
. Mount Everest, the highest summit in the world, has around 67% less oxygen than sea level! That’s why so many people need additional oxygen as they summit Everest.
Do people get sick at Pikes Peak?
Because of this, few of our visitors experience altitude sickness on our trips, but they can if they venture to nearby Pikes Peak before or after. Fortunately,
altitude sickness is not inevitable for most people
. All you need to do to protect yourself is take certain steps ahead of time.
How many steps does it take to climb Pikes Peak?
The once railroad track now consists of approximately
2,744 steps
made entirely of railroad ties! Although it’s only one mile in length, the ascension averages a 41% incline (68% at its highest) and a 2,000 foot climb in elevation! Phew! That’s a lot of stairs!
How long does it take to go up and down Pikes Peak?
The trip to the summit and back is 38 miles. Please plan on
a minimum of 2-hours for the round trip drive
and have at least a half of tank of gas. We recommend that you drive up to the summit and save picture stops and points of interest for the drive down, this will be easier on your vehicle.
Where do you park to hike Pikes Peak?
Getting Back Down the Mountain
Rocky Mountain Ride provides daily shuttles from the summit of Pikes Peak back to the
Barr Trail trailhead parking lot in Manitou Springs
.
Are there mountain lions in Pikes Peak?
“You shouldn’t be afraid that the animals are there, but you should be conscious that
they’re out there
,” said Cody Wigner, assistant area wildlife manager for the Pikes Peak region of Colorado Parks and Wildlife. “And you should know what to do when you see one.”
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
.
