Hiking Pike's Peak

One of the main things we wanted to do in Colorado Springs was hike Pike’s Peak. Pike’s Peak is a 14’er and I’m happy to say this was my 3^rd time climbing a 14’er. I hadn’t hiked a big mountain in years (highschool years) and it was fun to be back at it again.

The Facts

Mountain Climbed: Pike's Peak

Elevation: 14,114ft.

Water Drank: 72+oz. each

Start Time: 5:10am

End Time: 2:30pm

Total Hiking Time: 9hrs. 20min.

Calories Burned: Enough to eat a massive meal for dinner =)

Anytime you hike a 14’er you need to start early! You want to be up and off that mountain before the daily storms roll in. (I’ve been caught in one before and I don’t even know how to explain what kind of scarry that was). For Pike’s Peak we got up at 4am and arrived to the Barre Trail Parking lot by 5am. By the time we paid for parking and started hiking, 5:10am, the lot was FULL! If you are planning on hiking this trail earlier is better.

Barre Trail is a 12.6 mile trail and is very well marked. When we started out there were a lot of switchbacks. It wasn’t ‘steep’ but it was a steady / “ouch my legs are on fire” incline. After about 4 miles of this it ‘levels’ off for a few miles. That leveling off was super nice as it gave our legs a much needed break. Don’t get me wrong, it was still incline hiking but it just wasn’t a burning / killing my leg incline.

At about 6+ miles into the hike we came across cabins. The cabins are available for those who want to hike ½ the trail one day and finish the next day. The cabins had restrooms as well as leftover snacks (for free). I have never enjoyed a day old garlic bagel so much in my life. I tried to ‘hike and eat’ but that just wasn’t happening. I couldn’t breathe, climb and chew at the same time. There isn’t enough oxygen in those mountains to do that. They did have water and Gatorade available for purchase but it was super expensive.

After the cabins, it’s hard the rest of the way; lots of switchbacks with inclines. I hit a ‘wall’ at this point and told our team we needed a game plan. We decided that we would hike for 7 minutes and then take a break. We did that until we got past the tree line. Then the break was every 5 minutes with a 1 minute timed break.

After you pass the tree line you arrive to the Golden Stairway which is a bunch of bologna. There ain’t nothing golden about those ‘stairs’ except knowing that after those darn stairs was the top of the mountain as well as the gift shop that sold donuts. The Golden Stairs are 16 switchbacks that are the best leg workout / aka BUNS OF STEEL workout ever. 

Our Aunt JB drove to the top of Pike's Peak and picked us up. If you don't have someone to pick you up you can either hike down (ha ha good luck) or there is a train you can ride down. That does need to be scheduled in advance though. 

I’d also like to say that we drank water the entire climb. If you climb any 14’er be sure to drink h2o frequently! The altitude makes you dehydrate quicker and you don’t’ want altitude sickness when you are alone 10,000 feet high in nature.

Dave found a 'layer of clothing' that someone forgot ;)

Dave enjoyed laying on the rocks for a quick rest... =)

 If you are hiking and need some more tips here ya go!

1. Water & Electrolytes

Seriously, take lots of water. You will need water for all the hiking as well for the altitude change. Dave and I combined took 3L + 64oz of water and we drank it all. I honestly feel like we should have taken more. I’d also recommend taking some Gatorade or hydration tablets, which I wish we would have done.

2. Snacks

Be sure to bring enough food as you will need the energy throughout the day. We took pb&j’s for lunch, trail mix, fruit and a little bit of chips. Next time I will take some snacks that are more salty as I feel like that was needed to replenish electrolytes.

3. Toilet Paper.

Do I need to explain? There is 1 bathroom stop and that is 6 miles in.

4. Layers

You start cool, get super hot and then get cold. This is all normal with the elevation changes. I wore some Nike compression shorts and then put leggings over that. I then wore a tank with a quick dry winter shirt over that. I brought a warm head band as well. Wearing layers allowed me to quickly take off a layer or add on a layer.

5. Pike's Peak vs. A Marathon

I had someone ask me this question and I thought I'd quickly address it. They are two very distinctive things but have some similarities. For starters you have to prepare for both of them. Just like with marathon training you need to be fit and ready to hike for 9 hours. The one thing that stood out to me the most was 'the wall'. It's that point when you just think you absolutely can't go on. The wall hit me on Pike's Peak right after lunch around mile 6.5. Soon after that is when we came up with the game plan to hike for 7 min then rest. 

Who else has climbed Pike's Peak? 

If you have any more questions for me about hiking this mountain please let me know!