Garden of the Gods
Is Garden of the Gods still Free ?
Yes it is. It's one of the few major attractions in the area that's
still free. The Pikes Peak Highway, Seven Falls and Royal Gorge are
all about ten dollars a person.
Winter Activities
I'm driving through the area in November and I'd like to drive or
hike up Pikes Peak. Is it possible at that time of year?
Hiking is a bad idea this time of year. Experienced hikers with
sub-zero clothes and tents could do it, but the unprepared would be
risking their lives. The Barr Trail is 12 miles to the top and strong
hikers commonly take two days to hike up and back, in the summer!
The highway stays open until snow closes it shut, which is usually
mid November.
Lake Moraine
Are there any trails that lead to Lake Moraine on the
south side of Pikes Peak?
Lake Moraine is part of the city's watershed, along with the other
lakes nearby, and is off limits. It's patroled by a caretaker and
you'd probably be escorted to jail. However, the water department
occasionally grants permits to hike on the South Slope Watershed if
you have a good excuse. If you work for a newspaper, study geology or
mountain lions you might get in. If you get a permit, there are three
way to get there. The easiest is to drive up Gold Camp Road to Clyde
and drive north to the Seven Lakes area, the caretaker will have to
let you in. Otherwise, take the Cog train to Mountain View and hike
east to Ruxton Park, or hike up the Barr Trail to Barr Camp and
Ruxton Park. Take a good map, the Ormes Pikes Peak Atlas shows the
area better than any other.
Photos from Pikes Peak Highway
When driving the Pikes Peak Highway are there frequent places where
I can pull over to take photos?
Though it's mostly a dirt road, the highway is wide and smooth with
plenty of space to pull over on nearly every turn. And after about
half-way you're above all those view-blocking trees with an aerial
view of half the state.
Ride Up and Hike Down Pikes Peak
A couple of my friends are on our college crosscountry team and we're
wondering if it's possible to ride the Cog Railway to the top of Pikes
Peak and then run down so that we come out near the Cog, and our cars?
Actually that's the most common way to hike the peak. The Barr Trail
(the trail that goes to the top) starts right across the street from
the Cog Depot, and ends at the top of the peak, next to the Cog.
I think it's $23 to ride the Cog, but one-way is only $18 if they have
space (it's full fare if they don't).
Hiking Barr Trail
We are planning to hike up Pikes Peak. Is there water on the trail
that is drinkable? Where along the trail do campers spend the night?
Do people hike all the way up or just part way, then camp
The only water along the Barr Trail is at Barr Camp (half way up). The
caretaker lives there and sells drinks and snacks to hikers, but the drinks
were warm the last time I was there. The creeks aren't reliable and aren't
safe. There's also a gift shop and snack bar at the top with food and drinks.
There is an A-frame hut at treeline (about 9 miles up) where hikers commonly stay.
But you can camp in the trees just as easily if you bring your own stuff.
Hikers do the trip in all different ways. Most take the train up and hike down,
a few hike the round trip (24 miles) in a day,
some hike up then catch a ride back down on the highway (it closes at 6:00 so start early),
some hike up to the A-frame and camp then hike the rest up and back down the next day.
No matter how you do it, bring food, water and a rain jacket if you're hiking
for the day. Bring cold weather gear if you're spending the night.
Is Barr Trail Well Marked ?
The start of the Barr Trail is well marked with a big parking lot,
restroom and info kiosk, but the rest of the trail isn't really.
The path is well worn and obvious, but some of the trail junctions
aren't obvious at all. Take a good map and follow your progress as you go.
Plan on taking six to eight hours to hike up, if you're in good shape.
Ride Down the Pikes Peak Highway ?
Can you hike up Barr Trail then ride your bike down the highway?
Sounds like it would make for an interesting one day event.
Can I link to your site from our troop website?
Bikes aren't allowed on the P.P. Highway, except those with the registered tour.
You can bike down the Barr Trail but the top few miles aren't really bikeable.
If you can get the bikes to the Elk Park Trailhead (mile 15) then you can ride across
the Elk Park Trail to the Barr and bypass the rocky top.
I've never done it, but I hear it's a lot of fun. Feel free to link to my site.
Pikes Peak via the Crags ?
Back in 1992, when I was working in Cripple Creek, a group of us hiked up to Pikes Peak via
The Crags trail located off Highway 67. I have been trying to find a map with that trail
included in it, but all I can find is the Crags trail.
Do you know where I might find a map that shows that route to the top of Pikes Peak?
I think that's called the Banana Rock Trail. The latest version of the Ormes/Houdek map,
the Pikes Peak Atlas, might show it.
Most maps don't show it because (a) most map makers don't know about it, and
(b) until a few years ago the forest service discouraged its use.
I heard recently that it is now a forest service trail and goes to the
Devils Playground then parallels the road to the top.
The forest service office on South Weber Street might have a flyer on it.
The Cortz Mine ?
I am looking for a place on Rampart Range that they call Cortz Mine,
it has a lot of Cortz Rocks, but I can't seem to find it. Can you help?
I've never heard of the Cortz Mine, but there are quite a few mines along Rampart Range Road.
The Trails Illustrated maps (Deckers & Pikes Peak) and the forest service map list several
of them but not by name. You can get those maps and information at the forest service
visitor center on South Weber Street.
