Hiking and Climbing Pikes Peak

HIKING AND CLIMBING PIKES PEAK for the first time is an exhilerating experience, but being prepared is a necessity. The Trails & Open Space Coalition can't make it an easy climb for you, but maybe we can help you get prepared. Check out the Pikes Peak Camera website for a look at the mountain today. If you would like to know more about running the peak, go to www.skyrunner.com.

The Barr Trail. Barr Trail offers a spectacular route up the Peak. It is also the course for the Pikes Peak Ascent and Marathon races each summer, which attract thousands of runners from all over the United States.  The trail offers the greatest base-to-base summit climb in Colorado, with an altitude gain of over 7,000 feet in 12-plus miles. It is the most difficult regional trail because of the elevation gain and the distance.

The Barr Trail  trailhead is in west Manitou Springs, off Ruxton Avenue, on Hydro Street near the Cog Railroad Depot. The trail itself is a well-marked, packed dirt and decomposed gravel trail to the top. However, it is not an easy hike. Four distinct segments of the trail exist, each with its own personality and challenges. The switchbacks up Rocky Mountain ( yes, it is not Mt. Manitou ) are steep and very tiring, so take your time and stop to enjoy the view and rest a bit. You will pass through beautiful forests of ponderosa pine and blue spruce. Wildflowers are abundant.

The trail beyond Rocky Mountain to Barr Camp is the easiest part of the hike, with an elevation gain of 1,200 feet in approximately 4 miles. It goes through gently rolling terrain of aspen forests and meadows with spectacular rock formations and views of the Peak itself.

Barr Camp is approximately halfway up the mountain and is operated under permit from the Forest Service. It was built around 1921 by Fred Barr, the designer and builder of Barr Trail. It is located at 10,200 feet and provides overnight accommodations, some food (for a fee), clean water and a place to rest. For further information on Barr Camp, visit their website. Donations are appreciated.

After you leave Barr Camp, the next three miles become steeper as you pass through forests of spruce and fir and then enter a region of very old dwarf trees. At treeline (about 3,000 feet below the summit), trees have disappeared and you are entering tundra meadows. The tundra is easily damaged and takes years to repair, so stay on the trail. At tree line, you will see the A-Frame shelter.

The final miles to the summit are awe-inspiring. This last section provides a view of the Cirque, a spectacular pit carved by glaciers and the 16 Golden Stairs, a series of short, steep switchbacks in the final one-half mile to the summit. Steep switchbacks, rocks, altitude and unpredictable weather can make this portion of the trail difficult and uncomfortable. While thousands of people run up Pikes Peak every year without problems, they've trained for the event and spend only a short time on the mountain. People do get lost and even killed on Pikes Peak. For the casual hiker, understanding and preparation are critical. A healthy respect for the mountain can save your life.

When you reach the top, watch out for the cog train and the tourists. Most of them will be awed that you hiked up the peak.

How long will it take? That's a good question. It depends on what kind of shape you are in, how many times you stop to rest, take pictures, eat, etc. Do you want to do it quickly or do you want to take your time? We generally tell walkers it will take 6-10 hours with some taking longer. Runners generally do it in 4-7 hours (a lot of that will be power walking and very little sight seeing.) Start as early as you can, preferably at first light so you will have time to get up before our afternoon storms.

Weather. Weather is very unpredictable on the mountain. It may be warm and sunny when you start at the trailhead and miserably cold with dangerous wind chills above treeline. Real temperatures in the thirties and forties are commonplace at the summit during the summer. Wind makes this much worse. Snow and ice can be on the trail into June. Check out the Pikes Peak Cam for a picture.

What to take/wear. This is a difficult area to discuss because of the unpredictability of the weather. While you don't need to prepare for a trip to the Himalayas, you are going up a mountain that is over 14,000 feet. Make sure you are prepared. You can start in shorts and a tee-shirt,but long pants, jacket, gloves and a hat will make the trip much safer and a lot more fun as you continue climbing. Wool and polypro retain body heat even when wet. Wet cotton kills! If it rains (not storm), a rain suit would be nice. Hiking boots are best, but good walking or running shoes will work, although they will slip more. There will obviously be more snow and ice on the trail early and late in the year. It is real easy to slip on the ice so hiking boots will provide you more traction.

Remember, there's no easy way off the mountain if you need something or get hurt. Take everything you might need. The sun is intense, so a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen are important. If you think you'll get hungry walking for six or more hours, take a snack. Water is essential. Take a water bottle. You can refill it at Barr Camp. Don't drink out of the streams. They can contain giardia, a parasite which causes severe intestinal discomfort. If you need medications, take them with you. A small first aid kit should be considered. Other than Barr Camp, there aren't any bathrooms, so bring toilet paper and get off the trail. Dig a small hole a few inches deep and cover it after you're finished. Nature will do the rest. If you are planning on camping out overnight, read a good book on mountain camping.

By all means, take your camera. The views are spectacular. Money is nice too. The Summit House has great donuts and hot chocolate. People do ge lost, so take a map and follow the signs. If you have a cell phone, you should be able to use it on most of the trail.

How do I get down? The obvious answer is to hike back down. But unless you're prepared to walk a total of 25 miles, you might want other transportation. Having a friend meet you is probably the best way. If you are going with other people, you could drop off one car at the top (but this would get you a much later start than we advise). You cannot leave a car overnight. Another option, although not always possible, is to try to ride the train down. You'll need money for the trip and it will be space available only, so you might not get a ride. Don't depend on it. Hitchhiking is frowned upon.

Will the altitude make me sick? Hopefully not, but some people do have problems, whether they come from lower altitudes or not. It is generally unpredictable. Symptoms can include nausea, headache, dizziness, loss of breath and loss of judgement. The only sure way to treat it is to go to a lower a! ltitude. Staying well hydrated helps ward it off.

Do I need to train? It is a strenuous hike, but thousands do it every year. You can certainly hike the peak without being in good shape, but being fit always makes the trip up the Peak easier and more fun. If you are already in shape, go for it. If you are not, we recommend some form of training program to get you used to walking uphill for several hours. A moderate walking, running or biking program for several weeks ahead of your planned trip will pay great dividends. As always, consult your physician before embarking on a new exercise program.

What other problems might I face? Hypothermia is one of our great killers. It is caused when the body loses more heat than it generates. Wet or inadequate warm clothing, sometimes coupled with a lack of nourishmentis is usually the cause. Most people think it has to be extremely cold for hypothermia, but a walk in the rain with a little wind at altitude can be deadly. Poor judgement sets in and the victim is no longer capable of saving oneself.

Heat stroke or heat prostration can be equally dangerous. Starting quickly up the switchbacks at the bottom on a hot summer day without water can quickly make you overheat. Make sure you drink plenty of fluids and take your time.

What else do I need to know? Reading one of many good mountain hiking books can provide you a lot of good tips on hiking mountains in general. Several have detailed maps and guides to hiking Pikes Peak.