Pike's Peak I Made It!

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Pikes Peak Mountain is located in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The summit is over 14,000 feet, offering a beloved view for visitors who drive, hike, or take a shuttle to the top. The Pikes Peak Highway is a 19-mile scenic route designed to showcase the view of the mountains and valleys to drivers and shuttle passengers. The hike is a 13.5-mile steep climb with a gain of approximately 7,400 feet in elevation. Barr Trail is the only hiking route that leads to the summit. It features Barr Camp along the way, where hikers can stay overnight and receive meals. Since 2021, the Pikes Peak Summit Visitor Center has provided exhibits, a gift shop, and dining areas where customers can purchase a Pikes Peak donut. 

Pikes Peak was named after Lieutenant Zebulon Montgomery Pike, who first attempted to climb the mountain in 1806. In 1820, Dr. Edwin James completed the first recorded summit. The names Pikes Peak and James Peak were both utilized for almost forty years before the current name was solidified in maps during the Gold Rush. For emigrants moving west during the Colorado Gold Rush of 1858-59, the phrase "Pikes Peak or Bust" was used, recognizing the prominence of the mountain in the horizon they were moving towards.