About Pikes Peak

THE EARLY PEOPLES OF THE REGION

Pikes Peak, which is proudly listed as a national historic landmark, was once home to the Ute Indians and — even earlier — to the Clovis Culture. (According to the official Pike Peak website, the Clovis Culture consisted of early peoples who made their way onto the continent during the last ice age.) Back in the time of the region’s first peoples, the mountain was referred to in many different ways, including Sun Mountain, Sun Mountain Sitting Big and Long Mountain (which was the name given by the Arapaho, who came to Colorado in the 1800s). The Spanish explorers who came to the region referred to the mountain as El Capitan.

THE FIRST ATTEMPT

In 1806, many different exploration parties were sent out into the territories to explore the country by President Thomas Jefferson. One of those parties was led by Zebulon Pike (you can see where this is going). Pike and his party “discovered” the mountain in the early fall, referring to it as Grand Peak. Unfortunately for Pike and company, it gets rather cold in the Rockies and the team’s unfortunate decision to attempt to summit the mountain in November resulted in a mission failure.

The First Successful Summit

Pikes Peak would not be summited successfully on record until 1820, when naturalist Edwin James climbed it in much more pleasant weather. It wasn’t exactly easy, but they got it done in two days.

For a brief time, the peak would be named after James. Ultimately, though, Pike’s legacy endured. For a while, it was Pike’s Highest Peak, then eventually Pike’s Peak and finally, the simplified Pikes Peak we call it today.

Creating the Accessible 14er — The Early Years

After settlers came into the Pikes Peak region, it wasn’t uncommon for them to ascend the peak by foot or by burro. A road of sorts was built in 1887, allowing a much more pleasant way to travel up to the summit. Most folks preferred a wagon to a donkey if given the option. In 1890, another option came into play as the Cog Railway began to be laid (it was completed in 1891).

Meanwhile, if visitors wanted to avoid the tolls on the road or the cost of the railway, they could travel up the now-named Barr Trail, which was a barely passable prospector route at the time. While you couldn’t fit a donkey on the trail back then, it was affordable (free). Fred Barr, for whom it is now named, would fancy it up from 1914 through 1924. (In the 1940s, it was improved even further to the trail that is so popular for Incliners and hikers today.)

The Accessible 14er — Today

Today, Pikes Peak can be ascended via the Pikes Peak Highway, Barr Trail, or The Broadmoor Manitou and Pikes Peak Cog Railway. The mountain is home to a recreation area with three lakes, hiking trails, mountain biking trails, and the new Summit Visitor Center, where visitors can enjoy a hot, fresh donut and a majestic view. 

Pikes Peak is also home to the Pikes Peak Marathon and Ascent, the Pikes Peak Hill Climb and the Pikes Peak Cycling Hill Climb. Hundreds of thousands of people travel to the peak year-round to ascend by vehicle or on foot, making it one of the most accessible mountains in the world!