You’ve seen the postcards. That jagged, purple-hued silhouette towering over Colorado Springs, looking like it was pulled straight from a Disney movie about the Old West. Pikes Peak in CO isn’t just another mountain; it’s a massive, oxygen-deprived granite beast that catches people off guard every single summer. Honestly, most tourists treat it like a theme park ride, but the reality is way more intense. It’s 14,115 feet of unpredictable weather, thin air, and brake-burning descents that will make your knuckles turn white.
People call it "America’s Mountain," a nickname earned after Katharine Lee Bates stood on the summit in 1893 and felt inspired to write the lyrics to "America the Beautiful." It’s a nice story. But Bates didn’t have to worry about her Tesla’s battery range or her minivan’s brake pads melting on the way down.
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The Altitude is No Joke
Let’s talk about the air. Or the lack of it. At the summit of Pikes Peak in CO, there is roughly 40% less oxygen than at sea level. That’s a massive physical tax on your body that most people don't respect until they're stumbling out of their car at the top feeling like they just polished off three margaritas. It’s called hypoxia. Your brain starts getting fuzzy, your heart races, and suddenly that short walk to the edge of the viewing platform feels like a marathon.
I’ve seen people hop out of their cars in flip-flops and tank tops when it’s 75 degrees in Colorado Springs, only to realize it's 38 degrees with a 30 mph wind chill at the summit. You have to pack layers. Even in July. Especially in July.
How to Actually Get to the Top
You’ve basically got three ways up, and they all offer a completely different vibe.
The Pikes Peak Highway is the most common route. It’s a 19-mile paved road that snakes up the north side. It’s beautiful, terrifying, and expensive. There’s a toll gate at the bottom, and during peak season, you actually have to make a reservation just to drive your own car up there. Why? Because the summit parking lot is tiny and the demand is insane. If you show up without a reservation in July, the rangers will politely tell you to turn around.
Then there’s the Broadmoor Manitou and Pikes Peak Cog Railway. This is the world’s highest cog railroad and it’s been chugging up the mountain since 1891. They recently did a massive multi-million dollar renovation, so the trains are fancy now. It’s the "lazy" way up—but I mean that in the best way possible. You sit, you look at the marmots, and you don’t have to worry about driving off a cliff.
Finally, for the masochists, there’s Barr Trail. This is a 13-mile hike (one way) with a 7,400-foot elevation gain. It is grueling. Most people who hike it stay overnight at Barr Camp halfway up because doing the whole thing in one shot is a recipe for a very long, painful day. If you aren't an experienced hiker, don't even think about it. The mountain doesn't care about your fitness goals.
The Famous Doughnuts and the "Summit Sickness"
There is a legendary doughnut shop at the new Summit Visitor Center. These are the only doughnuts in the world made at an altitude above 14,000 feet. They have a specific recipe because the low atmospheric pressure makes normal dough act crazy.
Here is the catch: eat them fast.
If you take a bag of these doughnuts back down to the bottom, they will literally deflate and turn into greasy little pucks. It’s a weird science experiment you can eat. But honestly, if you’re feeling the "Summit Sickness" (headache, nausea), maybe skip the fried dough. Drink water. Tons of it. If you start feeling really bad, the only cure is to go down. No amount of Advil is going to fix a lack of oxygen.
Don’t Set Your Brakes on Fire
The drive down is actually more dangerous than the drive up. If you ride your brakes the whole way down the Pikes Peak Highway, they will overheat. They will smoke. They will fail.
About halfway down, there is a mandatory brake check station. A ranger will literally point an infrared heat gun at your wheels. If your brakes are over 300 degrees, they will force you to pull over into a parking lot and wait for 20 or 30 minutes until they cool down. It’s embarrassing, but it’s better than the alternative. Use low gear. Let the engine do the work. It’s a basic mountain driving skill that a lot of flatlanders seem to forget the second they see a hairpin turn.
The Pikes Peak International Hill Climb
Every June, the mountain turns into a race track. It’s called the "Race to the Clouds." Professional drivers take specialized cars—some with over 1,000 horsepower—and fly up the 156 turns at speeds that would make your head spin. It’s one of the oldest motor races in America.
If you’re visiting during race week, expect crowds and closures. The course records are currently held by electric vehicles because, unlike internal combustion engines, EVs don't lose power as the air gets thinner. It’s a fascinating bit of physics. While a gas car might lose 30% of its power at the summit, a Tesla or a Rimac stays just as fast.
Common Misconceptions
People think Pikes Peak is the highest mountain in Colorado. It’s not. It’s actually the 30th highest. Mount Elbert is the tallest at 14,440 feet. But Pikes Peak is the most famous because it stands alone on the edge of the plains. Most of the other "Fourteeners" are buried deep in the middle of the Rocky Mountains, surrounded by other peaks. Pikes Peak just looms there, looking much taller than it actually is because the ground at its base is so much lower.
Another thing: don't expect to see "forever." On a perfectly clear day, you can see out toward Kansas and down into New Mexico. But Colorado has had a lot of wildfire smoke in recent years. Sometimes the view from the top is just a hazy grey wash. It sucks, but that’s the reality of the West right now.
Planning Your Visit
If you’re heading to Pikes Peak in CO, timing is everything.
- Reservations: Check the official Pikes Peak Colorado Springs website. If it’s summer, you likely need a timed entry slot.
- Weather: Check the forecast for the summit, not the city. If there’s a thunderstorm brewing, get off the peak. Lightning strikes at 14,000 feet are no joke—you are the tallest thing around.
- Fuel: There is no gas station on the mountain. Make sure you have at least half a tank before you start the climb.
- EVs: Most electric cars do great on the way up, and you’ll actually regain a massive amount of battery through regenerative braking on the way down. Just make sure you aren't starting the climb at 10% battery.
The mountain is open year-round, weather permitting. But in the winter, the road often closes at Mile 13 or 16 because the snow drifts at the top can be 10 feet deep. The Cog Railway is usually the most reliable way to reach the summit in the colder months, as they have massive snowplows specifically designed for the tracks.
Actionable Steps for Your Trip
- Hydrate starting the day before. Don't wait until you're at the top to start chugging water; your body needs to be pre-hydrated to handle the pressure change.
- Book the Cog Railway at least two weeks out. It sells out fast, especially the morning slots which tend to have the clearest weather.
- Bring a heavy jacket even if it’s 90 degrees in town. The temperature drop is usually about 3 to 5 degrees for every 1,000 feet of elevation. Do the math—it’s going to be cold.
- Put your car in 'L' or '2' on the way down. If you have an automatic with paddle shifters, use them. If your car has a "Mountain Mode," turn it on.
- Visit the Garden of the Gods first. It’s right at the base of the mountain. It helps you get slightly more used to the 6,000-foot elevation of the city before you jump all the way to 14,000.
- Download offline maps. Cell service is incredibly spotty once you get past the reservoir area on the highway.