Pikes Peak is accessible by trail, road and railroad. Every year on a Saturday in mid August, hundreds jog up Barr Trail from Manitou Springs to the top of the mountain, a thirteen mile run. And on Sunday, some of the same people run up and down Barr Trail. About a mile from Blue Skies Inn is the terminal for the cog-wheel railroad that climbs Pikes Peak four or five times daily. We recommend the Cog Railway as the easiest and most relaxing way to sample every kind of Colorado mountain scenery and enjoy the vast panoramic views of the Great Plains that can be seen from the peak.
Wildlife abounds on the train route, including marmots, mule deer, elk and bighorn sheep.
Families traveling with young children who might get restless on a long train ride can nevertheless enjoy Pikes Peak by driving five miles from Blue Skies Inn west on US Highway 24 to the exit for the famous Pikes Peak Highway. Nineteen miles of highway wind up to the peak, with many scenic stopping points along the way where youngsters can stretch their legs. For info call 800 318-9505. This beautifully laid out park is set in the rolling foothills on the west side of Pikes Peak and features trails that wind through pine forest, aspen groves and mountain meadows. The trails are designed to be accessible to all, and hikes can be as difficult or easy as the visitor cares to make them.