Vacation memories linger long after any trip. Some are funny. Some are
sad. The best ones become the lore and legend that grow bigger than
life each time they are told.
My vacation to Pikes Peak will always be overshadowed by a trip my
mother took more than 25 year earlier. During her day, visitors
to Colorado Springs would hire chauffeured limousines to take them to
the summit. Mom and her girlfriends were headed to the top, when
their driver pulled over. Seems the car had overheated.
While the driver got out to check the engine, his passengers also got
out of the car. From behind the raised hood, he yelled,
"Get some dirt." Nothing. He came around the car to see
three young ladies laying face down on the other side of the
road. They thought he said, "Hit the dirt."
Pikes Peak, located at 14, 110 feet above sea level, is the most
visited mountain in North America and second in the world. More than
half a million people visit the attraction annually via road (19 mile
trip), trail (13 mile hike) or railroad cog (8.9 mile ascent). An
interesting statistic when you consider the months the roads are without snow.
Part of the Rocky Mountains, it earned its name during the 1859 Gold
Rush with the expression, Pikes Peak or Bust," and inspired a poet to
write the words to what would become "America the Beautiful."
Enjoy your travels to the summit and you'll soon understand why it is
so popular.
But before you go, let me sound a bit like my dad first. Those
traveling by car should have at minimum a half a tank of gas and allow
at least two hours for the round-trip adventure. Uphill traffic
has the right-of-way, but consider that they have the outside lane
(without a guard rail in many instances) and a breathtaking view.
If you plan to stop along the way to enjoy the scenery, do it on a
straight stretch of the road or use one of the turnouts. And
since courtesy seems uncommon today, remember slow drivers should heed
to those with a faster pace. In others words, use the pullouts and let
the others drive by.
Midway up the highway, you'll find Glen Cove with a gift shop and
restaurant. Many stop here to adjust to the change in
altitude. You'll be surprised that a little thing like elevation
can have such an impact. Then head onward and upward to the top
of Pikes Peak with Summit House, also a gift shop and restaurant to
experience the panoramic view.
For flatlanders unfamiliar with what L1, L2 and L3 are, they're next to
the "D" in your car. Here's a quick lesson. While climbing steep
grades, use the low gears to allow your engine to cool and operate more
efficiently. Once at the top, let the engine fast idle for a bit
to cool down. When headed down the mountain, use the lowest slow
gear to slow down your car and minimize the need to use your brakes.
They make an awful smell when you ride them. The rangers are use
to folks with car trouble. Just sit tight and one will be by soon.
When planning to visit, keep in mind that there are three special
events that draw large crowds: the auto hill climb set for the last
Saturday in June, the second oldest auto race in the United States; a
marathon each August and fireworks on New Year’s Eve. They draw crowds,
so expect delays.
Mother Nature has had her way with Colorado Springs and the neighboring
area. In addition to a bird's eye view, get an up close look at other
natural attractions including Garden of the Gods with its red sandstone
rock formations, and Manitou Cliff Dwellings, an authentic Anasazi,
ancient Pueblo Indian home more than 700 years old.
Pikes Peak P.O. Box 1575-MC060 Colorado Springs, CO 80901-1575 (800) 318-9505 (719) 385-PEAK
Garden of the Gods Park 1805 North 30th Street Colorado Springs, CO 80904 (719) 634-6666 (719) 219-0101
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