Climbing Pikes Peak (in a Car)

Pikes Peak is super-close to Colorado Springs. It’s a 14,000+ peak to which you can drive. It is the highest elevation to which I have ever driven. It’s sort of like a toll road operated by the NFS.

Whichever of those peaks is the highest, that’s Pikes.

At the edge of civilization before you start climbing up to the pass toward where the entry booth is located, there’s a gas station+barbecue place. I used their restroom and bought a rice krispie treat there. The bathroom was the better of the two experiences.

•  19 miles from the toll booth to the top (IIRC).
• Somehow takes about an hour-plus to get up there.
• Most people driving up it are totally reasonable, but it only takes one Minnesotan without the self-awareness to use turnouts to ruin everything.
• Which is how it takes an hour-plus to get up there.
• I get a little dizzy and light-headed at 14,000 feet.
• Also my fingers get a little numb and tingly.
• There are a lot of hairpin turns.
• They tell you to only ever use first gear on the way down.
• Halfway down there’s a checkpoint where an NFS employee tests the temperature of your brakes and if you’re over 300, they make you stop. Mine were 293.0 degrees (Fahrenheit I hope).
• Here are some other photos:

Backhoes on the road also slow the procession.

Probably enough.

bkd

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