14,115 feet elevation gain and you are at the top of Pike's Peak. There are three ways you can get to the top of Pike's Peak, you can hike, drive, or ride the cog train. This is an amazing peak that offers multiple ways for adventurers to experience the magnificent views from the top of a peak that high. It might be most famous for the Pike's Peak International Hill Climb. This is an annual race that pushes drivers through adrenaline pumping curves the entire way up. My parents drove up this same road when they lived in Colorado and my mom said she was terrified the entire way going the speed limit. This race would be so exciting to watch! Since we were with my uncle and were in no shape to hike to the top of this peak, he bought us tickets to ride the cog train up.
Manitou Springs is the town that you arrive in to board the cog train. Since we were coming from Pueblo we decided to head up early and grab some lunch at the Manitou Brewing Company. They have an amazing patio and I highly recommend sitting outside if you are able to. Their beer was delicious and the perfect way to relax before we set off on our adventure. The cog train is a unique way to climb a mountain, the train gets pulled up on a cog system, self-explanatory right? This system gives passengers the time to enjoy themselves on the uphill climb without huffing and puffing from hiking.
The windows to the trail are open, thank god! I love the way forests smell and getting some fresh air is always a necessity in the mountains. We were sitting across from a family that had travelled from New York. They were so in awe of the size of the boulders that were on the side of the mountain. Chris and I looked at each other and couldn't help but laugh. We would call it a rock. We still talk about how spoiled we are to live in the mountains and see these amazing sights every day. Once you get to the top of the peak there is a gift shop and lots of viewpoints to see Colorado. On a clear day you can see Denver. It was a little freaky at first, I had never been on a peak that high before. It was a great day trip and will forever be one of my favorite memories in Colorado.
Currently, the Cog Railway is under going construction and will re-open 2021. More information on what they are doing and more details on when they will re-open can be found here. However, this should not deter you from visiting Pike's Peak or this area of Colorado. It is beautiful and full of endless recreation possibilities. The road trip to Colorado is gorgeous. It can be a little long, but there are pit stops along the way and the scenery is easy to get lost in. We left after work and drove to Laramie, WY, a town I spent a few years growing up in before I moved to Salt Lake. I wanted to spend a few hours seeing my old home and the park I used to play at. It is exactly the same. There is still a huge open field that Bear loved running around in. For the most part, Laramie is pretty inexpensive and a University town so there is plenty to eat and makes a great half-day trip to get yourself moving before the last half of the drive to Colorado.
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