Pikes Peak Assent (1st try)

This is the view out of our kitchen window everyday when we lived in Colorado Springs. We could see the summit of Pikes Peak. There it was taunting us to come and beat it

From Barr Trail to A-Frame

Pikes Peak is an interesting hike. Its difficult. Not technically its easy as mountain trails go. Its just so far, 13 miles 1 way through the Pikes national forest.

There are several ways to the top of Pikes Peak. You can actual drive a car there on the Pikes Peak highway. (Its not really a highway mostly a gravel road). You can take a train to the top, or you can take a couple of hiking routes. Bar far the most popular hiking trail to the top is the Barr Trail. The Barr trail is names for the man that built it and runs from Manitou Springs to the summit roughly 13 miles one way. That’s right 13 miles. Its very long. There is a halfway point at a camp appropriately name “Barr Camp” at the 7 mile mark. Other than the most adventuresome die hard most people stay overnight at Barr Camp and make this a two day hike. Either on the way in or the way out. They have a bunk house and small little shelters you can stay at over night for a small fee. They even serve supper.

We elected to try to summit on the Barr trail on a weekend in June leaving the house at 6:00 early Saturday morning and arriving at the Barr trail trail head around 6:30. (You have to be early to get a parking spot.) Keep in mind that in a two day hike you have to carry all the food and water you need as well as sleeping bags. It can get down to 30 degrees overnight in the mountains even in the summer, so you have to be well prepared. Packed up and ready to go

From Barr Trail to A-Frame

A sign at the start of the trail gives and indication of what you may be in for. You cannot absolutely count on a ride back down because possible weather condition may close the road or the train, so you must be prepared to go both ways on foot if you wish to summit. I guess their not joking around here! 26 miles round trip. We planned on hiking both ways anyhow.

We will hike to Barr camp drop our gear at the camp then try to summit. Returning to Barr camp and staying overnight then hiking out in the morning. That's roughly 19 miles in one day.

From Barr Trail to A-Frame

Along the trail there is lots of interesting sites. You even have to pass though some tight squeezes. The trail to Barr Camp is mostly wide and flat and easy going.

From Barr Trail to A-Frame

From Barr Trail to A-Frame

Seven miles later halfway to the summit at 10,000 feet altitude we arrive at Barr Camp and check in. You can see the summit in the distance.

From Barr Trail to A-Frame

We drop our heave gear here at the camp. This will be our sleeping quarters tonight when we return.

From Barr Trail to A-Frame

After lunch and a rest we take off for the summit in the distance. Roughly 6 miles away, but the going gets much tougher from here on. The air is getting thin and its a nice day so its 70-80 degrees which is a bit warm for this altitude, and that make the going tougher.

As we start to approach tree line at 12,000 feet the distance and heat is wearing on us. We have to rest often and for longer and longer. We are not yet acclimated to the thin air. It seems like you can walk 10 or twenty steps then you have to rest for 5 minutes before continuing. At this rate its going to be late when we summit.

From Barr Trail to A-Frame

The sun is merciless at this altitude and you have to wear a shirt and hat to keep from getting burned so it is difficult to cool down. We reach tree line around 3:00 which is late. We have another three miles of the most difficult part before us and we have to turn around and come back 6 miles before dark.

From Barr Trail to A-Frame

From Barr Trail to A-Frame

Resting at the tree line shelter for a half hour and enjoying the view we make a decision to abort the summit attempt. We cannot get to the top and back to our night camp before dark at the rate we are going. This is a sad decision to have to make, but the wise choice. Being lost in the dark on the trail will help no one, and there is always another time to attempt the summit.

From Barr Trail to A-Frame

We spend some time along the tree line and the shelter with its little creek enjoying the cold, cold water and cooling off in a serene little meadow.

From Barr Trail to A-Frame

The tree line has some interesting rock formation. it looks like some giant was stacking boulders in a playground.

From Barr Trail to A-Frame

Looks like the distance, heat and thin air have taken its toll on this hiker. Good thing you can’t see a picture of me I look even worse.

From Barr Trail to A-Frame

3 miles back to the camp and dinner before dark.

From Barr Trail to A-Frame

The next morning was cool and foggy as we made our way back from Barr camp to the trail head and our Jeep.

From Barr Trail to A-Frame

The last few switchbacks before the Manitou Springs trial head shows Margaret cruising along eager to get home and a bottle of Red Wine.

From Barr Trail to A-Frame

We were disappointed that we didn’t summit but we learn a couple of lessons about acclimating ourselves to the thin air overnight before such strenuous hikes. We will make it next time.