Pikes Peak in May

by Kirk
(Colorado Springs)

We took my brother-in-law and sister-in-law to the summit of Pikes Peak last May. They came to visit from Wisconsin and had never been on top of a mountain before. I kept reminding them to bring warm clothes but they couldn't believe it would be that cold when it was 70F in Manitou. We took the Cog Train up and soon enough saw the snow. We didn't stay outside for long, but got this photo. Spent the rest of the time in the Summit House, having some hot chocolate and a doughnut. Good times!

EDITOR'S NOTE: Yep, that's me (Kirk) and Kelly and our family up by the summit house. Since then I've been up top twice. Once with good friends in July, when it was a balmy 55F. We experienced a totally cloudless day, which seems to be unusual. But the views were incredible. You really can see to Kansas when the visibility is so high. The next time I made it to 14,110 feet was with a work group who all decided to hike up Barr Trail together. That's a 13-mile hike and it took me 7 hours. Once you get above tree line the oxygen rapidly decreases, the shade is gone, and you start to wonder why you chose to hike up a mountain. But the challenge was well worth it. The funny thing is that the trail ends only a few feet from where we're standing in that above photo. It's very strange to work so hard hiking all day and end up having tourists stare down at you taking pictures! Reaching the summit of Pikes Peak is a great experience, though, and we highly recommend it, whether you're hiking, driving up the Pikes Peak highway, or taking the Cog. It's just one of those "must do" trips when you're in Colorado Springs. Hope you get a chance to make it!