Pike's Peak Colorado questions - Page 2

madzonie · ‎03-10-2010

On 4/5/2015 Kachina624 said: 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.

Would love to spend more time in that area, but we certainly hope to get back there and explore more. Thanks for the info about the western side of the mountains...the west is always the best! ${#emotions_dlg.biggrin}$

madzonie · ‎03-10-2010

On 4/5/2015 Burnsite said:
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.

I do understand - but am hoping hubby will be open to at least giving it a try to drive on our own. He was there when he was a kid and doesn't remember too much about the drive up - only how high it was!

madzonie · ‎03-10-2010

On 4/5/2015 Vamp said:
Sounds like a great trip. I haven't been there in almost 25 years. Enjoy!

Thank you so much! I'm looking forward to it, and am now wishing we had so much longer to spend exploring!

madzonie · ‎03-10-2010

On 4/5/2015 HisElk said:
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!

We have 3 nights in Yellowstone, and know it will not be near enough time to see everything. But we hope to at least get a sense of the beauty and majesty that is Yellowstone. We've never been, and I know we'll be overwhelmed with what we do get to see.

We also have 2 nights in Alpine, just south of Jackson. We hope to be able to see some of the sights around that whole area, although the time will fly I'm sure!

We are staying in Keystone for 2 nights for our visit to Mt. Rushmore and surrounding areas. This is a place I've wanted to see almost all of my life and I'm excited to finally be able to gaze upon its magnificence! Thanks for the info on the train...will check that out as well! ${#emotions_dlg.thumbup}$

qualitygal · ‎10-04-2010

Which ever way you go, it's a beautiful area out there, we enjoyed it when we lived out there. Have a great time and enjoy.

emmysmom · ‎06-22-2010

I've done both! I preferred the cog train ride. Just an FYI, I got altitude sickness last time we drove up Pike's Peak. My chiro told me next time to take some chlorophyll. I got really sick, but the ride down I was fine. The road is so narrow, when I looked down I got vertigo.I think the cog rail would be my choice, I didn't feel ill on the train.

There is a neat gift shop at the top, and some great books about PP. Hope you have a wonderful trip, I love Colorado!

Don't cry for a man who's left you--the next one may fall for your smile.
-- Mae West

madzonie · ‎03-10-2010

emmysmom - altitude sickness is one of my concerns. We lived in the Bay Area (CA) for most of our lives and traveling to parts of Yosemite NP (10k feet) would make me sick-ish. We never stayed long at the high elevations, but still it was uncomfortable. We now live at 4600 feet so when we visit the Bay Area, then return home, it takes me a few days to acclimate to the higher elevation. I don't get sick...just headachey and have a bloody nose for awhile!

Part of me says I'd prefer to be in my own vehicle if I did get sick - but I'm hoping for the best and will prepare for the worst!

lifeisgood - yes, in my research I've discovered that much of Yellowstone begins to close for the winter toward the end of Sept and into October. We are planning for a big range of temps and weather conditions....just hope it doesn't snow while we're on top (or driving to/from) Pike's Peak! ${#emotions_dlg.scared}$

And we do leave Yellowstone to head south through Jackson - I understand the mountains are stunning & I can't wait to see them! As a native Arizonan, I grew up being able to see mountains all around, and have never stopped loving that! Arizona has some beauties (we live at the foot of the Huachuca Mountains), but somehow I think I'm going to be bowled over by the mountains on our trip!

Thanks again for the helpful comments and good wishes everyone!

raven-blackbird · ‎06-03-2010

we drove to the top, I didn't have a problem but hubs got altitude sickness and we had to come back down..................................................raven

We're not in Kansas anymore ToTo

HisElk · ‎09-30-2012

On 4/6/2015 madzonie said:
On 4/5/2015 HisElk said:
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!

We have 3 nights in Yellowstone, and know it will not be near enough time to see everything. But we hope to at least get a sense of the beauty and majesty that is Yellowstone. We've never been, and I know we'll be overwhelmed with what we do get to see.

We also have 2 nights in Alpine, just south of Jackson. We hope to be able to see some of the sights around that whole area, although the time will fly I'm sure!

We are staying in Keystone for 2 nights for our visit to Mt. Rushmore and surrounding areas. This is a place I've wanted to see almost all of my life and I'm excited to finally be able to gaze upon its magnificence! Thanks for the info on the train...will check that out as well! ${#emotions_dlg.thumbup}$

Your stay in Alpine should be great. A very small town, but quiet. As I recall, there's also a small airport there. Please try to get to the town of Jackson as it's not that far. They have some great shops and eateries there. We usually stay at the Ranch Inn which is right across from Snow Mountain.

Also if you have time, please visit the Tetons; they are magnificent.

By chance, do you have any room in your suitcase for me? LOL. This is our very favorite area to visit, although Durango was a great place too, particularly the train ride too.

I'm glad to hear you will spend more than a day at Mt. Rushmore; it's also magnificent and what a sight to experience.

Have fun and enjoy!