Colorado is full of beautiful places to see so where do you even begin to narrow down what to see? Well one place I have always enjoyed going to is Pikes Peak. It is America’s mountain and part of the Rocky Mountains. Pikes Peak has an elevation of 14,115 feet. This makes it the highest summit of the southern front range in all of North America. That is just wild and it's right in the backyard of Colorado Springs. If you are in Colorado pretty much at any point you can see Pikes Peak for all the beauty it is. And you can even spend the day up in the mountains enjoying all the different mountain towns within the front range. A fun day trip that is beyond beautiful is driving up Pikes Peak to the summit.
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Pikes Peak Guide
If you are interested in driving up to the summit I suggest making an entire day out of it! When driving to the summit there is a charge per vehicle, depending on the season it ranges from about $35-$50. For more details click here! Once you have paid the toll you are on your way up the mountain! There are mile markers along the way and at some points there are parking lots and places to pull off to enjoy the view. Keep your eyes peeled for wildlife. The wildlife is everywhere, you could see longhorn sheep, deer, groundhogs, and many other friends depending on season and time of day. The drive itself can take anywhere from 2 to 3 hours depending on stops and the weather. The pull offs have walking trails and look out points that make you feel like you are on top of the world. Another avenue up the peak is by Cog Railway. The Cog Railway station is in Manitou Springs right by the trailhead of the incline. *side note the incline is also such a cool hike, difficult, but well worth the reward in the view!!* The ride is about 3 hours round trip and costs anywhere from $40-$60 depending on the age of the passenger. Both of these avenues you are going to get to see the beautiful scenery and experience the ride up to the summit.
Shop Hiking Shoes
For your trip to Colorado to see Pikes Peak you will definitely want a reliable pair of comfortable hiking shoes. The Riehl girls absolutely love these hiking shoes and are the three we rotate for all our hiking endeavors. All of these are a bit pricey but they will literally last you minimum ten years with heavy wear and tear. Lexi has had the same pair of Chacos for nearly 8 years and have put tons of miles on them and they are still in great shape. Lexi also went on an extensive back backing trip and wore these hiking boots and they passed the test. Hokas are a great pair of sneakers to have for day to day, but are also a great comfortable option for hiking.
Have Dessert on the Tallest Mountain in America
Once you reach the summit there is a beautiful newly renovated lodge. There is a gift shop with every souvenir you could want. There are also donuts, freshly made donuts! These donuts are so good and honestly worth the trip to the top just to eat one. There are also other snacks like hot cocoa and fudge! Another thing about the summit is there is no shortage for places to take breathtaking photos. There are different spots all over the top of the summit where you can look out and see the entirety of the city below.
If you are planning a trip to Colorado or will be in the Colorado Springs anytime soon be sure to check out Pikes Peak, you won’t regret it! Pikes Peak is one of those places you have to experience once in your lifetime at least if the opportunity is available! For more travel ideas and guides to Colorado click here to see more!
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