Community Chat

[madzonie]

Hello to anyone who may have been up Pike's Peak! Hubby & I are traveling to that area in mid September and are trying to decide between 2 options:

1 - drive to the top in our own vehicle

2 - take the cog train up & back

After watching some videos of a trip to the top in a private car, it looks okay, but is dusty and has some very steep edges in spots. It looks like the "speed" limit is pretty low, so it takes over an hour to go about 20 some miles to the top (from Manitou Springs).

The cog train looks like fun, is a bit expensive, and I'm not sure about getting really nice pictures through the windows.

Any comments, suggestions? Thanks!

[gidgetgh]

I've driven it once, back in the early 80's. I promised myself that if I ever got my friend and I down from the top in one piece, I'd never drive up it again. For me, it was a really intimidating drive. And slow, because you don't want to drive fast and plunge to your death.

[JustJules]

I grew up in Colorado and have been up Pikes Peak many times. That's where the North Pole is dontcha know? While the cog railway would be a very scenic tour, personally I would take your own vehicle, that way you can spend time there at your leisure and won't be dependent on the schedule. It is steep, but it's a safe drive, and the views are breath taking. You mentioned you are going in September, depending on when you visit it could be quite busy, it's a popular tourist attraction. Prepare for odd weather even on a hot day. I remember as a little girl we took my grandma up there for a picnic in June, and it snowed on us.

As lifeisgood mentioned, if you have the time to check out other sights in the area, the Garden of the Gods is a nature park that contains beautiful rock structures. Also check out the Cave of the Winds. It's a real cave with enormous stalactite & stalagmite formations (stalactites are the ones that hang from cave ceilings -- think hanging on "tight" -- they taught us that, lol). Seven Falls is an amazing collection of waterfalls, and of course there's the Royal Gorge which is one of the world's highest suspension bridges. If you don't like heights you don't have to cross it, but the scenery is spectacular. I would also encourage you to visit the historic Broadmoor Hotel, it's beautiful and luxurious even if you don't stay there, and their Sunday Brunch is famous and definitely worth the experience if you have the time. There are tons of things to see and do in the Colorado Springs area, hope you enjoy your visit.

[madzonie]

Thank you for the replies!

gidget - I hear you! As I've gotten older, I find I like heights less & less. Yet I'm always open for an adventure if I feel safe. I know both hubby & I are cautious & take things slow...I just worry about the fools out there who just always seem in a hurry.

I appreciate your opinion!

life - thanks for helping me kind of lean that way. I love "being in control" when we're traveling...being able to stop where & when we can. I'm an avid amateur photographer & am always searching a perfect shot! Oh, and Garden of the Gods was already on my list of things to see/do in the area...thanks!

Jules - great info! Thanks, too, for suggesting our own car. I think the cog train would be fun, but if we have our own vehicle, we can set our own schedule.

We do plan to go to Garden of the Gods. We've got only 2 nights, and are staying in Manitou Springs. Originally I had us with just 1 night in the Colorado Springs area, but once I started researching the area, I decided we should dedicate 2 nights on this trip, and hope to be able to come back again to see even more.

This will be only the 2nd & 3rd days of a 16 day road trip - we're taking in Mt. Rushmore, Yellowstone, Zion NP, and then the north rim of the Grand Canyon before heading back to our home in southeastern Arizona. We're making a big kind of oval-shaped loop - about 3200 miles. I try to fit in as much as possible along the way, but also have to be careful to not overdo things...lol

I'm disabled and don't walk too well or too far, so the cave is out for me. The setting looks beautiful, so we'll probably just drive to the visitor center to check it out. We also hope to visit the AF Academy, too. The classic Broadmoor Hotel looks gorgeous - maybe we'll be able to fit in a visit or a meal.

We were hoping that just after Labor Day the crowds would be down a bit. We try to travel during the non-summer vacation time, but lately we find there are crowds in popular places regardless of where you visit! Last year we visited the south rim of the Grand Canyon midweek in October, and the place was swarming!!

Again, thanks for the really helpful info & suggestions!

[Vamp]

Sounds like a great trip. I haven't been there in almost 25 years. Enjoy!

[HisElk]

When we were there, we stayed in Colorado Springs. Our choice was to drive it ourselves and take our time. The view is breathtaking at the top!

Also glad to hear you are going to the Garden of the Gods; also a beautiful place, along with the caves.

I read you are also visiting Yellowstone and Mt. Rushmore. We used to visit Jackson Hole yearly a few years ago, once in the late summer and during the winter. I hope you made some extra time for Yellowstone as it's really a huge area and to this date, we still haven't seen all of it.

When we went to Mt. Rushmore, we stayed in Keystone, SD, a very cute and quaint little town. We really enjoyed it there and rode on the Black Hills train which was a beautiful train ride. That's a place that I could easily stay for a week and not be bored, along with panning for gold.

Sounds like a wonderful trip you have planned and enjoy!

[JustJules]

Hi madzonie, your road trip sounds like tons of fun, that is something I love doing and haven't had the opportunity in many years. This country is so vast with so many wonderful things to see and do, we are truly blessed. I completely understand that you can only do so much in your limited time frame, I think you chose some excellent sights, and some of those other things do require lots of walking which can be tiring for anyone.

You mentioned the Air Force Academy, that is definitely worth seeing. The Cadet Chapel is absolutely beautiful. During your visit to Colorado Springs you'll probably notice a bunch of glider planes flying above. Some are personal planes, some are training, but they also do glider plane tours.

Again, your vacation plans sound lovely, hope you have safe travels and get to see lots of new and beautiful things. Happy Easter

[Burnsite]

I've driven it, and wouldn't do it again, but I am not an adventurous driver.

Pike's Peak was glorious, but "garden of the gods" is magnificent. I love it there.

[HisElk]

On 4/5/2015 JustJules said:

Hi madzonie, your road trip sounds like tons of fun, that is something I love doing and haven't had the opportunity in many years. This country is so vast with so many wonderful things to see and do, we are truly blessed. I completely understand that you can only do so much in your limited time frame, I think you chose some excellent sights, and some of those other things do require lots of walking which can be tiring for anyone.

You mentioned the Air Force Academy, that is definitely worth seeing. The Cadet Chapel is absolutely beautiful. During your visit to Colorado Springs you'll probably notice a bunch of glider planes flying above. Some are personal planes, some are training, but they also do glider plane tours.

Again, your vacation plans sound lovely, hope you have safe travels and get to see lots of new and beautiful things. Happy Easter

The Cadet Chapel is something we were not able to see while there and wish we would have.

We did; however have lunch in the airplane and it was really enjoyable.

Good to see a post from you, JustJules. Hope all is well with you.

[Kachina624]

Too bad you won't have time to cross the mountains and see what's on the other side. I think the ""Western Slope"" and the San Juans are so much more spectacular and beautiful. Pike's Peak just gets more press.