Pike's Peak - 14,110'

Pike's Peak was a worthy challenge. It was someone's last 14er in Colorado and there was a lot of participation in the hike. We started out from the Crags Campground on the west side of the mountain. This is a very popular area among hiking enthusiasts and at sunrise, the views were just gorgeous. Only problem we had was in determining where the mountain climbing trail diverged from the Crags Trail. Once we found that, our hike became a direct frontal assault on the mountain. Up and up, and then up some more, and then we crossed a rock rib and found flat ground, sort of.

Pikes Peak is a large mountain mass. Once we came up over the shoulder of the mountain onto the flat area, we still had a couple of miles of hiking (above treeline) to get to the bottom of the summit dome. A lot of this stretch was along the toll road going to the top of the mountain. There were some great views off to the north and then we started up the summit dome (or should I say rockpile?). The wind was howling and the nearest escape was in the buildings at the top. We moved quickly.

Inside the concession stand at the top of the peak was total pandemonium. About the same time that 20 or so of our group arrived, a fully-loaded train arrived on the cog railway: they didn't have that kind of room inside the building. We hung around long enough to get some photos, drink a champagne toast and hit the can. Then we were off back down the mountain and out of that breeze.