Pike's Peak

When Joyce and I began talking about Pike's Peak I had told her that I had taken the train to the top the last time I was here. She suggested that we drive to the top this time. Sounded like a challenge to me.

Our morning start was beautiful and sunny. We drove down to Highway 24 and then through Manitou Springs to Cascade and then to the tollgate. The cost was nominal and we learned that it was 19 miles. We had also found out earlier to expect the round trip to be about 2 1/2 hours (that would obviously include the time spent at the summit.

I had previously read about the drive up and that there were no guard rails. Well that is not exactly the case at this time. There are guard rails - but not very many. It was an exhilarating trip, during which Joyce had to remind me (more than once) that she was afraid of heights.

We had purchased a three wheel bike last week and because it wouldn't fit into any of the compartments in the motorhome we had been carrying it in the rear of the car. On the way up I suggested that we take the folding bike out and get a photo of us with the it at the summit.

Now we can show this picture and tell everyone that we rode the bike to the top. LOL.

When we started our trip up, the temperature was 72 degrees. A sign at the tollgate noted that it was 36 at the summit. By the time we got to the top it had risen to the mid 40s. We watched people who had taken the train get off dressed in shorts, t-shirts and flip-flops. I imagine that sweatshirts and blankets are a big seller at the souvenir shop. 

We bought more than our share of souvenirs, had a sandwich and hot chocolate and then started back down. While some clouds had moved in, it was still fairly nice. on the trip down it started to rain, then a little snow and frozen rain.

Halfway down there is a park employee who checks brake temperatures, letting some continue down and directing others to pull over in a parking lot to let their brakes cool. After getting our temperature taken we were asked what gear we were driving in. Told the gal that we were in second gear. She gestured toward the parking lot and said to let the brakes cool off. Of course there was another souvenir store across the street so off we went.

Back to the car with a couple more souvenirs and we continued our trip down. Just for grins I tried to drive in first gear, but there was just no way so we finished the trip to the tollgate uneventfully in second gear.

Today is Monday. I am not sure how many of you heard about the flash flood on Friday in Manitou Springs. It had been called the worst disaster there in decades. By the time we reached Cascade we came up to a line of stopped traffic. We moved about a city block in an hour and a half. We saw a wine-tasting shop, decided to take a break and pulled into the parking lot. We learned that there had been another flash flood in Manitou Springs and Highway 24 was closed down. We also heard that it was going to be a long time before the highway would be re-opened.

We began looking at a map to see if we could find a route back that would not be as long as the ten hours or so that the highway would be closed. A sheriff came into the store and confirmed the long delay. We definitely needed to find an alternate route. When he left five minutes later, he must have gotten new info and said that they were about to reopen the road. By the time we got back to the car, traffic had begun to move and we returned with no further delays. Long day.