Colorado 14ers: Pikes Peak

Pikes Peak

Distance: 5.88 mi	Points: 441	Calories: none
Total Time: none	Speed: 0.0 mph	Pace: 0:00 / mi
Active Time: none	Speed: 0.0 mph	Pace: 0:00 / mi

Along the road

Location: 38.859344, -105.067528
The trail often winds along the summit road once above treeline. ©Scott Gates

Back to the road

Location: 38.842022, -105.046204
Just before the summit, the trail meets up with the road once more. Continue L to bag the peak (flat Summit House can be seen on far left). ©Scott Gates

Boulder field

Location: 38.854637, -105.062325
The trail dissipates in spots, requiring a bit of cairn navigation through rocky tundra. ©Scott Gates

Cairn walk

Location: 38.845627, -105.049706
A cairn marks the path up the rocky slope to the summit. ©Scott Gates

Devils Parking Lot

Location: 38.864151, -105.069336
There's plenty of room for traffic at the Devils Playground parking area. ©Scott Gates

Devils Playground

Location: 38.864151, -105.067833
The sign says it all -- don't get caught up here in a storm. The only safe spot is down. ©Scott Gates

Much fanfare

Location: 38.840820, -105.044502
The summit is marked by a photogenic sign, restaurant, cog railway stop and gift shop, among other scattered buildings. ©Scott Gates

Stone Gate

Location: 38.862949, -105.070938
The wide trail passes through an opening in a rock wall as it winds around to Devils Playground. ©Scott Gates

Summit visitors

Location: 38.841320, -105.044502
The wide, flat summit is crowded during the summer, with access via road, trail and cog railway. ©Scott Gates

Top of First Climb

Location: 38.864552, -105.078842
The trail flattens out for a bit before climbing to the summit from Devils Playground ©Erin Sovick

View from gate

Location: 38.862949, -105.071037
South of the gate, a wide alpine valley stretches for miles. ©Scott Gates

View north

Location: 38.865753, -105.075745
A wide, flat spot with views north makes for a good place to rest before the last leg. ©Erin Sovick

PPT001

Location: 38.871368, -105.119698
From trailhead @ end of parking loop, head E through spruce and aspen

PPT002

Location: 38.871700, -105.116898
Turn R @ T for downhill stretch to Fourmile Creek. Cross log bridge, then ascend rock-flanked trail; steady climb to WPT 6

PPT003

Location: 38.869339, -105.110703
Turn L @ Y around rocky wash. Over next .3 mi., high-jutting crags can be seen to the N through trees

PPT004

Location: 38.868469, -105.099098
Double track begins through small meadow strewn with patches of columbine in summer; wide views of valley opens up behind (to W)

PPT005

Location: 38.866859, -105.090202
Break above treeline on well-marked trail; apply sunscreen and keep an eye out for developing storms

PPT006

Location: 38.865307, -105.075981
Trail levels out and widens with views N to Catamount Reservoirs. Summit road visible below as smell of grill wafts from Summit House. Follow trail SE through rock gate to Devils Playground

PPT007

Location: 38.863880, -105.067993
Cross paved road and pick up trail on far side of roadside cable. Trail stays to L of road from here to summit. Note: Hiking on road is prohibited

PPT008

Location: 38.853390, -105.060951
Trail dissipates; follow scattered cairns to L of rocky mound, much to the protest of whistling marmots

PPT009

Location: 38.843346, -105.047852
Begin scramble up granite rock field along well-established trail; catch views N to Denver on clear day (look for gray smudge on the horizon)

PPT010

Location: 38.840721, -105.044601
Pikes Peak (14,110 ft.): Trail connects with parking area. Explore busy summit, which is accessible by trail, train and road; retrace steps