We took the trolly to the top, highly recommended! The guide shares so much history on the way up. We had plenty of time at the peak for souvenir shopping, pictures, and a doughnut before riding back down. read more

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$15 per person. We drove on the way up, very scenic and not many cars. I suggest getting here before noon. There will be less cars and in case the forecast changes. Once you get to the station, you might feel light headed and dizzy, I recommend you drink plenty of water and grab something to eat to lessen the altitude sickness symptoms. I had the classic donut, not bad. Also, you can bring an empty cup and refill your water in the gift shop. Yes, it's free. Employees were friendly. Parking is not bad if you arrive early. If you come in the afternoon, it'll probably be more difficult. read more

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$15 a person at the gate. The drive up and down the mountain is fun with a lot of views. I would recommend a sturdy car. Some decent food options at the food court. YOU WILL FEEL THE ATTITUDE. read more

Pikes Peak - America's Mountain - Donuts - Hiking Near Me - Cascade, Colorado

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Highly recommend visiting this lovely summit with a 4WD as the weather changes drastically when you're going up! Definitely bring a jacket with you so you can stay warm read more

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Pikes Peak is a must-see for every American. It is a special place. Growing up in New Orleans I have spent most of my life below sea level. The air is thick like soup and my body is accustomed to that level of oxygen. I had spent time at altitudes of 6000-8000 feet with no issue but reading the reviews of 14,400 feet had me worried. The talk of needing oxygen and dizziness made me wonder if I needed a freakin scuba tank for this trip. More on that later. Another thing about growing up in New Orleans is that we never saw mountains. Sure we have Monkey Hill at the Zoo, but that doesn't count. So for me, mountains are special. I knew when I made it to Colorado Springs I had to visit Pikes Peak. I am so glad I did. The entry fee to get on the Pikes Peak road is not cheap, but so worth it. The road twists and turns as you make your way towards the peak. The drive was far less intimidating than I thought it would be and I didn't find it difficult at all. The view was breathtaking and there were so many opportunities for photos. The drive was easy until we had to get on the shuttle. You see, when I went there was construction at the top so I had to load into a giant van to get the rest of the way. That van ride was one of the most frightening things I had ever done. The van driver was awesome and skilled at navigating the mountain. But my spot in the front passenger seat gave me a view right off of the side of the mountain. Then as we made our way to the top I saw something coming at us very quickly. I instinctively ducked and looked like an idiot as a fighter plane from the nearby Air Force base buzzed our van. The driver said she had never seen that before. I don't know if she meant the jet or the giant dude cowering on the floorboard. Either way, it was a unique experience. Once at the top the view was truly spectacular. I have never seen anything like it. It was higher than I have ever been except in a plane and I couldn't help but be awestruck wherever I looked. Inside the visitor center, I was told I had to eat their donuts which I did. It was a decent donut but eating it at 14,400 feet was a really special thing. After about an hour at altitude, I did start to get a headache. It subsided once we left, but it is something to be aware of if you're not used to being this high. I am looking forward to my next trip up the mountain. It is something I will do anytime I am in the area. read more

Amazing place. The views were amazing and the weather held up for us. If you get a chance to go up take it and see for yourself! Wow what a breathtaking place! read more

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A must see when visiting Colorado Springs. Breathtaking views on the way up in the car. Went In June and was still windy and chilly at peak, so amazing. I would love to hike it one day. read more

This is one of those parks that has something for anyone. Any age, any fitness level, anyone can find something here to enjoy. If hiking is your thing, this is one of Colorado's 14ers. For anyone like me that can barely breathe at 5k feet let alone 14k+ feet, enjoy the scenery from the roadside. The drive up is breathtaking and the winding road adds to that beauty. There are plenty of places to stop and enjoy the views from every angle. You can also boat/fish in the recreation areas here. If you're looking to reach the summit plan accordingly. The road to the top was closed at about 13,500' when we visited in early April and wasn't set to reopen until May. They also have an annual race here in June, so make sure to check their calendar so you don't leave disappointed. read more

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Really picturesque and a staple mountaintop finish for Colorado. Not only known for its hill climbing races, it's the most prominent peak if you are in Colorado Springs. By car, get ready to pay $15/person to drive up the peak. Alternately you can hike or take the train up. Worth seeing once! read more

Pikes Peak - America's Mountain - Hiking Near Me - Cascade, Colorado

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This is a nice mountain peak and is part of the 14-ers club, as it is 14,115 feet. You can see what they call the tree line on top of the mountain, where there is not sufficient oxygen for trees to live, so it is bare from the spot up. It also gets a bit chilly up there, as you will experience drops in temperature in excess of 35 degrees or more. Bring warm clothes and/or a jacket with you to change in to. It was 85 when we headed up the mountain, and forecasted to be about 48 at the summit. Also, I would bring some water and like snacks for the trip. It takes about an hour to get up to the summit. You have to go back through a visitors gate to start your accent up the mountain. That is where you pay the admission fee, which is $12 per adult, $4 per child or $40 per car load (up to 5 people). The summit is 19 miles up the mountain. Depending on the weather or time of the year you may not be able to go to the summit and it may be closed off. The summit is closed from March 24 - June 14, 2021. When I arrived at the gate I was told that the mountain was closed off at mile 13 due to approaching thunderstorms. When I got to mile 13, the road was blocked off and cars that were already up higher, were being sent back down the mountain. While hanging out at mile 13, the thunderstorm did start and it was bad. We actually saw a bolt hit the side of the mountain. Rangers telling everyone to get into their cars. The mountain has a gift shop and some scenic views at mile 13. The gift shop is full of typical souvenirs. There are also restrooms there too. There is another visitors center/gift shop at around mile 3. It has some nice views of the peak. There are some designated pull of spots along the road heading up the mountain that give you different views or just a break. If you are fortunate enough to be allowed to go up to the top, shuttles are mandatory from mile 16 to the summit. Vehicles with children in carseats or passengers with ADA requirements will be allowed to summit in their own car though. I took a shuttle company from Denver. There are pluses and minuses to talking a shuttle. All in all, I would have probably preferred to drive myself because I like to be on my own time table, and have some flexibility. But the shuttle could have taken me directly yo the top. If you do drive, be carful of hot breaks coming down the hill. Keep you car in low gear and turn off your AC, especially going up the hill to prevent it from overheating. The park does conduct random break heat checks. It is a nice trip, but I wish I could have be able to go to the top. That is the gamble that you take though. So hopefully you go on a day that the summit is open or you have some flexibility in your schedule. read more

We were really glad we did this drive. It was on our list of things to do but I wasn't 100% sure if we would do it but with the clear blue skies we paid the $30 for two. Not cheap but well worth it. This would have gotten 5 stars if their construction project at the top was done because the parking was a mess and some of the viewpoints were not done. What they have finished is very nice so maybe next summer it will be ready... Do get there early if it is during high season or a holiday weekend like when we were there (better yet go off season on a weekday). Given the parking situation at the top we were glad we were at the peak before 11am because as we went down an hour later there was at least a mile long back-up that probably took a very long time to get to a parking spot. The drive is spectacular as are the views from the top. We are in good shape but that 14,100 foot elevation really slows you down. We took our time going down and made plenty of stops for the views and short hikes. It also helped to keep our brakes cool. We were surprised by the required stop to check the brake temp and since we stopped often ours were good and we didn't need to pull over like 50% of the vehicles for a brake cool down. There are places to picnic so bring one with you to this classic American tourist adventure. read more

I've been here so many times, but today was the first time I wasn't able to go to the peak. The mountain and the views are amazing and the road is easier to navigate than Mount Evans. There are plenty of pulloffs along the way and be sure to grab a picture of the bigfoot crossing sign. I usually see a few animals on the way up as well, mostly past the tree line. The reservoir was pretty low today, but if you pull into the parking lot you can grab a picture with the bigfoot statue there. Also, be sure to use engine braking as you descend. Every time I go down I see people riding their brakes (almost everyone) the whole way down and they are destroying their cars. Your brake temperature gets checked when you get back down near 11k ft, and if you're too hot they will make you park for a bit. read more

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Summitted pikes peak via the barr trail last month. This peak is a little more commercialized due to cars being able to drive to the summit. I think it is nice that there are 2 peaks where anyone of any ability can access. But I am also glad that is NOT every peak. The trail climbing up barr towards the peak is long and a lot of elevation. It has around 7500 feet of gain. However this has been one of my favorites! After we got past the manitou incline turn off. It was so quiet and serene. Very few people out. Not super rocky. Just very much solitude. We stopped briefly at the camp so we could have lunch and go to the bathroom. That would definitely be a nice place to stay if you didn't feel you could make the entire trail. There were a lot of hornets and wasps flying around in the camp so just watch out to not get stung. It remained such an amazing hike, well until we got to the top. Where we were whisked back into the world of cars and a lot of people. People in a long line at the geological marker to take pictures. A visitor center with a restaurant or junk food store. There was not much for choice if you are vegan or gluten free. They did have impossible burgers but no buns. They were out of fruit. My friends got the donuts and thought they were really yummy. I loved pikes peak. Honestly as far as the hike goes, it is one of my favorite 14ers. I did not particularly enjoy all the people at the top of this peak however. read more

Make sure you hydrate yourself, you're not hungover, and you take some Advil before you trek up this mammoth mountain. It's a fourteener that's the highest elevation in the USA east of its longitude (thanks Wikipedia). If you're visiting Colorado, this should be on your list of places to visit before you depart. Sadly because of the snow, the highest we could go was peak 9. It's still a gorgeous view going up and coming down. The background of the mountains, sky, and vision of the forest landscape are simply breathtaking. Rumor has it that you can see multiple states when you reach the highest peak. But we'll save that for another trip. Again, drink lots of water and get plenty of oxygen cause going up this high is no picnic! read more

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PSA : bring lots of water! Heading towards one of the highest peaks will make you a little dehydrated and a little dizzy. We went late October and it was very cold and windy. 30 degree and Snow at the bottom - sunny and 60 at the top!! So amazing. Had a little construction going on at the top, but that didn't bother our view. Donuts weren't all that great. You're supposed to experience the taste of them at the top, then eat another once you're at the bottom of the mountain to experience the density of how different it changes. But the taste just wasn't anything to brag about. read more

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Driving to the top of such a tall mountain seemed like a really cool thing to do, but after doing it I didn't really think it was worth the hassle. You have to buy tickets to drive up. It costs $50 per carload. We got there around 9am and had to wait at least 30 minutes at the entrance to show our tickets and get through. Right now they say you have to take a shuttle from mile marker 16 because there's not enough parking at the top. Somehow we got lucky and they let us drive. Upon arriving at the top, we found parking ok since they were limiting it. It was a zoo though. There were so many people I didn't really enjoy anything about the experience. There's construction at the top, so I didn't even think the views were that great. Don't get me wrong, they were good. I feel like we've had better views when hiking though that weren't so crowded with people and were free. I actually enjoyed the views from the pull offs on the way up/down more than the views at the top. If I could go back in time, I wouldn't bother spending the time or money to do this. read more

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Beautiful views but prepare yourself for the drive up. Dramamine for motion sickness and oxygen cans to help with elevation sickness. Layer up appropriately and take in all of the nature. Photo ops are everywhere and the donuts and hot chocolate at the top are good.....VERY EXPENSIVE, but good. read more

Pikes Peak - America's Mountain - Hiking Near Me - Cascade, Colorado

Lovely views. Absolutely stunning views across the horizons. Must visit again in summer read more

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Very beautiful and everyone was very helpful and friendly. The actual peak was very crowded. I'm not sure if this was due to the construction and having less area for everyone to spread out? We found a couple trails to hike and those were amazing. Also, not overcrowded at all. I would love to go back in the future when the construction on the peak is completed! read more

Pikes Peak - America's Mountain - Construction - Hiking Near Me - Cascade, Colorado

America's Mountain. It's massive. And so dramatically beautiful. In the past, I've only gone with the intention of going to the summit. I've hiked up, driven up and taken the the cog railway up. But today, I went only part way up to enjoy some of the miles and miles and miles of hiking trails. Today, I hiked about 7.5 miles around the Northern Catamount Trail. It was absolutely stunning! Here, check out some of my photos! Then, plan a trip for yourself. Or ask me and I'll probably go with you! read more

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Didn't make it to the top due to all the snow and ice at mile marker 13. But seen some great views and scenery. We made it up to 11,450 feet above sea level out of the 14,115 feet at the top of Pikes Peak. Loved it. read more

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Pikes Peak is my happy place!! The weather was amazing up in the mountain! It was probably 45 degrees near the top! The winding curves and the scenery is impeccable! There are many areas to stop to take amazing photos along the way up! You can even see the area the they filmed one to the Fast n Furious movies! This is Americas mountain !! read more

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This place was amazing! After about 156 turns, I made it to the top!! That altitude ain't no joke! I was winded and lightheaded when I stepped out the car. I didn't know what was going on! I sat for a bit and settled in for exploration. I came straight from a meeting, so I still had my "work" shoes on! Amazing views! I ventured out onto the rocks! Had E been with me, he would have gone. I did it for him. Got winded once again! Sheesh! I'm just walking... at 14,000 feet up!! I walked through the museum and got informed of what was happening to me. I was only getting 60% Oxygen! (See pics). I did some more exploring and decided to head back down the hill! There are some HUGE dropoffs!!!!! If you get the chance, pay the $15 + $2 to drive up to the summit! There's also a train that goes to the top, but I don't know how much that costs. read more

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It was nice driving up to see Pikes Peak. Driving was nice and fun but one need to drive careful and pay attention on the road. Summit was very windy and cold in middle of october. I love to visit in winter on Pikes peak cog railway. read more

Pikes Peak - America's Mountain - Pikes Peak Summit - Hiking Near Me - Cascade, Colorado

This is the highest elevation we have ever been on and our bag of chips busted all on its own lol it was amazing! Beautiful scenic views and a lot colder on top of the mountain compared to the foothills of the mountain! read more

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I hiked up via crags this weekend and it was my first time at the top of pikes peak! I think any mountain automatically deserves 5 stars, but this was honestly my least favorite 14er. It's not as scenic as the other ones I've done, went on forever (uphill) and it's incredibly weird hiking next to a road and then all the stimulation at the top. On the flip side, it was very nice being able to use a real bathroom and sit down to eat. The absolute best part was the donuts! I've heard they're not that good, but the cinnamon sugar donuts and coffee I had completely revived me and tasted like pure heaven. I also noticed they had an impossible burger which was nice! Most of the food is pretty unhealthy, but after a long hike it's nice to have options. Either way, every Coloradan should do pikes peak at least once! There are many ways to get up here...drive, cog, shuttle, etc, but I'm glad I did the hike. read more

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I drove to the summit last Sunday. I had checked their website and they indicated it would be best to purchase an advance pass to the summit + adult admission for $17. Or you could take a chance. The website said the capacity controls that started with the Covid19 pandemic would continue to reduce overcrowding. Since I bought my non-refundable ticket 1 week in advance, weather could be an issue. The day I left Denver, it was cloudy. By the time I neared the entrance, it was partly cloudy. I was unable to check-in on Yelp due to poor cell signal. The staff person at the gate said they were at capacity when I arrived for my 10am-12noon access window. They had already turned people away. The road was well maintained and it was smooth. They have several rest areas with informational signs, gift shops and restrooms. I stopped about 1/2 up to see the Big Foot statue and see the top of the mountain bathed in clouds. About 3/4 up I entered a heavy fog/cloud layer. There are no guard rails on the road up there, just on hairpin curves. Then I broke thru to bright sunshine! At the summit, I found one of the last parking spots. The new Summit House was open. I went thru the exhibit about the discovery and development of Pikes Peak. I had my required snack of their signature cinnamon sugar donuts for $ 3.99; I also saw a new Cog Rail train. It looked very European. I took the Cog Rail back in July 2021. That train looked like a 1950's version. I drove down in 1st & 2nd gears and had no braking issues. I saw other drivers who didn't pay attention and had smoking brakes. read more

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Make sure you drink plenty of water on your way up, during the peak experience, and on your way down. I did not want to get altitude sickness and I chugged water the entire time. When we got out of our tour Jeep, and went to the bathroom, and then browsed the gift shop, a little bit of altitude sickness overtook me. I was dizzy and had to sit down for a second, but then got up and plowed through these feelings because we only had a half hour to take in the sites. After a few minutes of powering through, I was ok. Definitely take a tour. I could not imagine driving up to the Peak. There are some terrifying spots, but luckily I trusted our guide Jerry. The peak is breathtaking and you can see five states on a clear day. There is construction occurring, so the views aren't completely unobstructed, but it is something you have to put on your bucket list. read more

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This was probably the highlight of our trip to CO. The views rival some of the best views I've ever seen anywhere! So first things first, we were here approx middle of June. Temperature in Colorado Springs was about middle 80's and the elevation is about 6,000 feet. As we entered the Pikes Peak area and made the climb upward, the temperature continued to drop until we got to the top. Final temp at just below 13,000 feet (they were still closed for renovations and this was as far as we could go) was recording about 63 degrees on our car display. Now, take into consideration that there are winds of upwards of 40 - 50 MPH and the actual wind chill temp was probably closer to 40 degrees. All that said, it would be wise to take along something warm to slip into if you plan on being out of the car very long. Views, as previously stated, are amazing from top to bottom. Don't plan on setting any speed records on the way up .... the road is about as steep as I've ever driven, especially for this distance. Just ease your way along and enjoy what nature has to offer. When you head down they recommend shifting into low so you don't over heat your brakes, they do have a brake check station where they check the temp of your brakes and recommend pulling over if they are getting too hot. Convenient there are plenty of restrooms and a little gift store (I know, who would have ever thought they would have stuff for you to buy where they have you pull off for 15 minutes to let your brakes cool). Non-the less they have some nice stuff in the gift shop and it's a nice place to stretch the legs for a few minutes before you proceed down the rest of the mountain. You really need to have about 4 hours to not feel rushed, but it's well worth the time if you have it to spare. read more

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We have lived here for awhile and have always wanted to do this. Here are my tips for having an enjoyable time: 1. Wait till August 1st , 2021 when the construction and the buses to get to the top are no longer needed (or so they claim. Check the website) The construction makes the view at the top less than appetizing. Standing in a long line at 13,000 plus feet is quite cold and the wait times are long, especially if any kind of lightening or rain hits the summit. 2. If you are a planner, buy your tickets online during the winter months and it will be cheaper. It's good for 365 days so you can then use it when it's nice and sunny. If you love it, get the annual pass. It's a better deal if you plan to go up here to fish and do other activities year round. 3. Get there early. Afternoon storms are common and the Summit house is not the big. Plus, you drive up all that way to see everything and walk around, not hide out in the Summit House or have the amazing view obstructed by dense cloud cover. 4. Bring warm clothes, blankets, and water. It's cold and dry up there-even if it's 90 degrees down below in the Springs so bring layers and water. 5. Don't head up here on a holiday weekend. Everyone else will have the same idea and it's really not a fun activity, especially with young kids. 6. *IMPORTANT* If you are afraid of heights, this is not the drive for you! Most of it is quite pleasant but once you hit the steep switchbacks, you may have a full on panic attack. 7. Be careful coming down. The line backs up right after the steepest parts for a brake check-yes, they do check the temperature of your brakes. 8. The donuts are nothing great. They taste like fried pillsbury sweet rolls and they are pretty small. I would go for the pretzels if you want a snack. 9. Take pictures going up as opposed to going down. The elevation really takes it out of you, especially if you're standing in long lines for buses. So take your time going up and get pictures. 10. Bring germ-x or hand sanitizer and even a picnic lunch. There are some great places to picnic on the way up and would be a nice break for everyone. I took away one star due to the less than enjoyable experience with the buses, lines, construction, and unruly people at the Summit House, but it's likely to be a 5 star review without any of that nonsense. read more

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I decided to visit pikes peak because my step mom told me it was beautiful when she visited when she was a kid. Everything is very clean and new. The ride up is beautiful! Restrooms at the bottom and top. Parking could be a little smoother on the way out but this place is beautiful a must see if you're in the area. read more

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The visit to the summit of PikesPeak was really something. On the way up the tour van which took us up the last seven,Ilse was very interesting with the guide providing all sorts of information about the rally's and the mountain. We could have probably done without the guide pointing out all the places people had gone off the mountain and died however. The tourist center on the top was fun, as I have rarely seen such a mad dash of people to buy touristy schlock. It's too bad the railway was closed for now as I would have liked to go up that way. A warning to those with issues with heights or altitude however as two members of our party couldn't go the last seven miles up once altitude sickness and fear set in. I's a looong way up! read more

Pikes Peak - America's Mountain - Hiking Near Me - Cascade, Colorado

We drove to mile 13.5 miles elevation 11,737ft this morning on 4/14/2022. That's the highest point the Highway was open today since the skies are clear. The last 6 miles were closed due to icy road conditions. Too bad we didn't get the cograilway tickets yesterday when they were still readily available. Then we could have gone to the summit. Picked up a magnet at the gift shop at mile 13. read more

If you are in town, you have to make the drive to the top of Pikes Peak. The altitude sickness is real so drink a lot of water. Both my husband and I had wobbly knees at the peak from the thinner air and adjustment. The drive up was a bit terrifying especially through the most windy part of the climb (switchbacks) and no guardrails. Worth the drive up into the clouds though. Spectacular views of our beautiful land of America, blessed above all other lands read more

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Unfortunately, when we visited the road was closed at 10,000 feet (due to weather) so we didn't go all the way up. With that being said, it was still worth the trip up! It was snowing pretty hard by the time we got to 10,000ft and our kids had a blast! We stopped and let them play in the deep snow, and they really enjoyed it. Being from Texas, we don't see this much snow ever, so it was a cool experience. The views were incredible! If you are in the area, I definitely recommend this drive. We hope to come back sometime when it's open to the top. read more

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It's a beautiful view and day trip location. Reasonable fee to go in. Take a sweater or jacket as the temperature was 30 degrees lower than in town and windy. Also be ready for the elevation change. We felt light headed ‍ when we got there but within a few minutes felt better. Nice store inside but very warm. Took a couple of headache medicine after we got back to the bottom to alleviate the headache from descending such high elevation. read more

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I think Pikes Peak was slightly above mediocre. For the entrance fee, I think Pikes Peak is worth it because it's not overly expensive. You can find coupons online; however, I would do my research ahead of time. Check the weather to ensure that you can reach the summit, and check whether Pikes Peak is currently under construction. The summit was under construction when I visited, so the sights weren't that pretty. As soon as I hopped off the shuttle, there were mud and construction signs everywhere. I headed to the back, and that's where the great views were. Were they amazing? I'd say so, but after a while, it gets repetitive. There was really no adventure to it unless you hiked to the summit. Would I return? Probably not, unless it was to hike. There was no sense of adventure driving up to the summit nor were the views the best. It was way too crowded with tourists for my liking. Don't forget to take it easy! You may get altitude sickness, which you can take medication for! read more

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Intense! Driving up Pikes Peak was one of the most breathtaking adventures I have experienced; figuratively and literally. Altitude sickness is real and it affected myself and my wife. We were forced to turn around after mile marker 17 at 13,000"+. We only had a mile and a half left to the summit but my wife's chest pains, me being lightheaded and shortness of breath for both of us; forced us to do a u-turn and admit defeat. The shear vertical cliffs with no guard rail or shoulders only add to the anxiety when you are feeling ill. Most are not affected as we were but be prepared. Even with the issues, this was still an exciting and beautiful drive that I do not regret taking. The scenery is life affirming and eternally memorable. read more

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**MUST READ** Listen to your body! The air is much thinner and I didn't think anything of it. My heart started racing, breathing hard and shallow and my chest started to hurt. I kept going cause I wanted to see the views. Then I felt dizzy, lightheaded and almost passed out. Needed help walking down and ended up with a nasty headache. Don't push yourself. My husband felt fine, but it was really bad for me. But... Beautiful views!!! Of course be careful driving up and down the mountain, but totally worth it. Check out the museum, lots of information and love to learn. read more

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From the minute you start you ascension up America's Mountain you are treated to views of Colorado like no other. Stopping to pay your entrance fee you are greeted by a very energetic, engaging and knowledgeable Ranger. They let you know if the Summit is open and if not how far you can proceed up the Mountain. You also get a Map that highlights all the things to see on your drive. The total experience is awesome from the wildlife you get to see to the breathtaking views, it truly is something you need to experience. read more

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