Colorado Trip: Pike's Peak

The Big Deal.

The most popular tourist stop in Colorado Springs, bar none.  Pike's Peak.  We did it! 

Well, not hiking, obviously.  It's only 13 miles up, but the elevation change and the cold do require some gear.  We did the drive.  But even that's an accomplishment!  Our friends have lived out there for 3 years, but this was the first time they'd made the drive up.  Granted, they're like us, little homebodies at times, but the last time they tried to see the summit, they had to stop at the tree line.  If weather is too extreme at the peak, cars get stopped at the tree line, or lower, depending on the severity.  So it was new for them too!  Yay!

The day we went, it was clear, beautiful, windy and COLD!  Yeah, yeah, January, Colorado, mountain top... you and your logic!  Doesn't change the face that it was still REALLY REALLY COLD!  I've never been that cold before, ever!  The wind cut right through my hat and gave my ear windburn, actually.  In hindsight, I should have worn the other hat I'd packed for the trip - has an extra lining.  Also is a penguin - appropriate for such temperatures!  But that might be besides the point...  When they announced the conditions at the summit house (which they did regularly), it was announced that it was 19 degrees, with windchill putting it "well below zero."  Like I said - cold!

But the view!  You can see quite a ways at 14000 ft up :)

The drive itself was pretty too.  The snow was so dry, it would blow about in the wind and swirl, just like the sand did in Irwin.  Only so much prettier!

 

Along the drive, you got more of the gorgeous view, of course.  Crazy driving, too - tons of hairpin turns (NOT for those who get carsick!).  Thankfully, there were plenty of pullouts where you could stop and appreciate the view without risking driving off the mountain.

At the start/end of the drive is Crystal Reservoir, a very pretty stop in its own right.  The lake was frozen over (it's January, after all), so when we stopped there on our way out, the light reflecting was absolutely beautiful.  The chunks of ice on the lake just glowed!

 

 

And did you know Bigfoot has had a bunch of sightings in Pike Forest?  They even have a Bigfoot Crossing sign, just so you stay on the alert - you never know!

 

So, yes, if you are ever in the Colorado Springs area, you must try and go up Pike's Peak!  Be prepared for a crazy drive up, and some altitude sickness when you get to the top.  Dress for the weather - it will be much colder and windier at the top, even in the summer.  But the views are incredible - both from the summit and on the trip up/down.  Definitely a must-do!!