Two weeks ago, Will and I attempted to hike up Pike’s Peak with 2 friends. It was a 12.6 mile hike up Barr Trail.
We started around 9am and finished just after 5 in the afternoon. Will made it one-third of the way, but it was best that he only got that far because once we hit the timber line, there was nothing but hills, rocks and cold air. He trekked back down and took the Cog Railway back up to meet us.
There were opportunities to take beautiful pictures. Depending on to time of day and visibility, you could see parts of neighboring states as you ascend to the top. Here are some of my favorites:
The last 3 miles up the peak was very challenging. The air was cold and thin. The rocks were slippery and snow appeared. We stopped every 15 minutes to drink and snack. The last mile seemed to take forever.
When we finally reached the top, it was snowing! We went to the gift shop to use the bathroom and warm up. We were so cold and tired that we didn’t bother to take a victory picture. We were just glad it was over.
When I was here back in 2005, I drove up the peak with a co-worker in a Suburban. That was a scary drive. Now that I have hiked up the peak, my only mode left to get to the top is by the Cog Railway. You can also climb up the peak, but that is not an option for me.
It was an experience that I was happy to have to opportunity to do. When I return from deployment, I look will be looking forward to that train ride.
That looks fun as heck. I’ve never trek or hike, wait…I’m lying. I did a 5 mile trek in Belize up a hill, not a mountain, to a underwater cave. But that was that.
You should be happy and proud of yourself. You even have those trophy pictures to prove that you were up there. When you decide to hit the pike again, throw me a line. Maybe Will and I should have a go at it.
That looks like a lot of fun.