Keep this point in mind as you continue up the highway so you can see for yourself what the racers might be feeling as they proceed up the mountain at incredible speeds and reach the summit in as little as ten minutes from this spot. The highway starts to twist and turn more as your proceed up the steeper grade of this leg. The photo to the right was taken shortly before this pullout. This location has numerous picnic tables, restrooms and several interpretive signs.
Several trails are also accessible from this location. The ski slopes have been replanted, but as you look at the hillside, you can clearly see where they once were. Please drive carefully around this location as many pedestrians may be crossing the Highway. Glen Cove Inn was originally a cabin settled by Frank Tweed in He later developed the cabin into a way station for travelers up the original carriage road.
Today, the Glen Cove Inn offers travelers a gift shop, restaurant and restrooms. In the summer months, rock climbing lessons and panning for gems may also be offered. This is done to ensure your safety as you continue your descent.
If you thought the drive to this point was good, just wait for the outstanding views that are just ahead! The altitude, amount of water and the wind make it nearly impossible for any upright plant to grow. This marks a steep turnoff that leads to Elk Park Pullout. Please be extremely cautious if you take this turn. If your vehicle has a long wheelbase, you may want to avoid this turn entirely as it is difficult to rejoin the highway without backing up on the return from Elk Park Pullout.
Tree line on Pikes Peak is reached at about Mile Marker 14, and the scenery is just divine. The first set of Ws starts around the The views from that location see photo below are the first of many outstanding panoramas that await you.
The Switchbacks viewed from above on the Pikes Peak Highway. However, the highway is much safer now that it used to be. This section of the road all the way to the top has now been paved, and it has many more guardrails than previously. A sign on the left side of the road tells travelers that it was named this because of the way lightning jumps from rock to rock during storms.
Parking is available on the left side of the highway. Previously, most of your views have been of the north side of Pikes Peak. However, now you can view the south and southwest side of the mountain. And, if you look closely, you might be able to catch a glimpse of the Summit House from several spots in the miles ahead.
The view is amazing — not just of the Bottomless Pit but also the view straight out. We suggest you stop for a look on the way down the mountain. Keep your eyes peeled for bighorn sheep, elk, deer and yellow-bellied marmots. Along the way, stop at the many pull-offs, including three lakes where you can fish or kayak. And be sure to fill up your gas tank before you reach the Pikes Peak entrance. If you begin to feel light-headed or dizzy, you may be feeling the effects of high altitude and should immediately go to a lower altitude.
Dozens and dozens of switchbacks mean the grades are manageable for pretty much any kind of vehicle. Just slow down at the curves and you should be just fine. Going down, avoid using the brakes by downshifting to the lowest possible gear and letting the engine do the braking for you. If your car has both 1 and 2 marked — choose 1.
You have to though because if you use the second gear, the steep grade is going to force you to touch your brakes at each one of the countless switchbacks and your brakes will heat up. I was sure I was doing fine switching between first and second gear on our way down. He put his thermometer under our minivan and let us know that our brakes were heating up and we had to pull over for 15 minutes to let them cool. So, unless you want to take a nice long break in the middle of your drive, use only the first gear.
We visited on a sunny day in late June and still had to wrap up the kids and ourselves, using every layer we could find in the car. Prepare to feel out of breath as soon as you get out of your car. Ten minutes into our stay at the summit, I began to feel dizzy whenever I turned my head. If you have any medical problem which could affect your breathing, ask your doctor before visiting the Pikes Peak summit.
You should also follow these guidelines —. That takes about ten minutes, maybe fifteen. Take in the views. Go around the summit house and take more pictures. If you love road-tripping this one should definitely be on your Bucket List. An awesome drive that gives you a chance to visit one of the most iconic summits in all of the USA for views from the top of the world.
Have you been to Pikes Peak? Did you drive up there, or did you take the train or maybe hiked all the way up? Visited Pikes Peak with my family last week. Due to the ongoing construction at the summit.. So, they have you park your car approx 2 miles before the summit and have free shuttle service to take the visitors to the top.
Indeed the most breathtaking experience of all while at the summit. Thanks for the update, Shuja! I was there in the very early 70;s with my family. Am I remembering right? Yellow brick and rock, nice size gift shop. I also remember getting car sick on the way down, of course with me that was a common issue. Still loved every minute off it and would love to get up there again and soon. Hi Pam, There was a nice gift shop at the summit, where you could get coffee and such. Are you available today to take a group of 5?
Twenty years ago took the cog train for an unforgettable experience with my teenage son. Excellent clear day in July, also recommend the 4th of July celebration at the Air Force academy. Sounds like you had a great day, making wonderful memories! Glad I have been there done that bc I will not be able to climb it now on my I was in my 40 back theni got caught in lighting Storm take this seriou bc many people died from lightning strike, there was no place to hide I ran all the way to base camp and stayed there overnight.
Wake and continue the journey that was the hardest climb I had done in my life. We transport visitors to the summit in shuttles as well as passenger vans that seat up to 12 7 now, due to social distancing and we sanitize after EVERY group!
This is good to know! We will be there in July and the last time we tried to drive up on our own there was snow and I made my husband turn around at Devils Playground.
Enjoyed your article which was very informative! We have been several times, always driving. Fantastic views, especially if you love the mountains! The James D Connolly Family. Thanks for your comment, the Connolly family!
Always good to hear from locals that the guide was thorough. Robin, my wife and I will be there October 1. Will the shuttle service still be operating that late? Do you all make stops so passengers can take pictures? Robin My husband and I, along with 2 other couples will be in Manitou Springs June 3, 4, and 5 and are interested in a tour up to Pikes Peak. Do you have any info you can provide. Thank you, Sandra Watkins. My grandparents and parents, along with my brother and I would camp in Co.
While we shivered in our jackets and munched on donuts and coffee, hot chocolate for myself and my brother, that my grandmother had brought along, we got to experience the awe inspiring view from the top of the world.
But yes to those who have not experienced those heights, be very careful and if you have medical problems you should consult with your doctor b4 making the trip. We also made trips around Co.
But then rational thought kicked in and figured that to get to the top and never return was a better idea. The drive up the mountainside was up a very steep and dangerous road they had cut to take teams of mules or horses and wagons up out of the valley.
B4 and after construction of the Silverton rail lines. If you ever get a chance to listen to C. We had to stop at one point somewhere up the mountainside, because approximately 6 feet of track was cut out in a steep very pattern, like someone had cut out a chunk with a giant knife.
My dad was driving, in four wheel drive of course, but he made mom, brother and I get out, from the passenger side hanging off the cliff, climb around on the side of our Chevy Blazer, and go up further ahead to where my grandparents were in their vehicle, while he carefully tried to negotiate this cut out of the track, because by then we were so far up, there was no way of backing down and going a different way.
My relief was palpable, my dad was sweating bullets the entire traverse, his shirt was sopping wet when he got out at the top, we all thought he was gonna freeze to death in the cold wind at that altitude, but he put on his coat and drank a thermos of coffee and warmed up before we continued on with our trip. Colorado is such beautiful country, and we spent many summers there travelling around to different places we had read about and wanted to visit.
One thing about the weather there, even in summertime, June, July when we were there, several times it would rain, and even hail, with a clear blue sky, sun shining, not a cloud in site anywhere. This one hailstorm on a cloudless sunny day, dropped hailstones the size of golf balls down on us, and my dad was running to get inside my grandparents camper to escape, as he was climbing in the doorway, a hailstones hit him in the back of the head and sent him summersaulting into the camper dazedly trying to figure out what had happened.
Luckily for him and us, in the middle of nowhere Co. I wonder why? Luckily he has a hard head, and luckily I follow in his footsteps there. Just finished a beautiful spring break trip to Colorado Springs, CO. What a memorable trip! We called the Summit info line each day of our vacation and were continually disappointed that the summit was closed for winds and snow drifts. I get car sick so I drove my husband, son, daughter, Mother in Law, and Father in Law up and down this challenging mountain road.
I found myself praying out loud to my Lord Jesus on many of the hairpin curves. My family was so sweet to cheer me on and have faith in my driving skills even when I did not feel totally confident. Eating high altitude donuts, shopping in the gift shop, and playing in the deep snow was the cream on the top!
Go, pray, and enjoy! So traumatic! We never can know when tragedy will occur.
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