2-Day Itinerary:
Day One:
Meet your guide and conduct the gear check. We will meet for about 1.5 hours and go through our gear list and pack gear as a team. This will ensure you are only carrying what is necessary for the trip; we want to eliminate excess weight. This may be done the night before the climb. We then transfer to the Barr Trail trailhead in Manitou Springs (6,700′). From here we start our 4-5 hour hike to Barr Camp (10,200′). Overnight with the caretakers of Barr Camp.
Day Two:
Rise early for our summit push. We begin hiking by headlamp so that we get a good start on the day. We will take maintenance breaks every hour or so to ensure we keep an “all day pace.” The view above tree line will keep you motivated; this is why we climb in the high alpine! We typically share the summit with other hikers as well as those who have arrived via train or car. They will be very impressed you hiked to the top and will very likely ask you how long it took. Answering “two days” will be a shock for the tourists! Once we have taken photos and marveled at the views, we will transfer off of the summit via the cog railroad or van shuttle for the descent back to Manitou Springs. You will have a whole new perspective on the mountain as you gaze up at Pikes Peak from town!
- Descent Options:
- Cog train (when available.) Once we summit, the train whisks us back to town in Alps style comfort.
- Van shuttle (when available.)
- Hiking. For this option we recommend our 3-Day Ascent.
1-Day Itinerary
(this option is possible, dependent on route conditions and fitness):
1-Day Ascent (Barr Trail)
option is available (summer and early fall only). After summiting, we will arrange a transfer from the summit back to Manitou Springs via the cog railroad or van shuttle (additional fee required). Please call us to discuss our one day ascent option at 719-368-9524.
1-Day Round Trip Summit Hike (Crags Trail):
While the Barr Trail is the most traveled trail to the summit of Pikes Peak, the Crags side offers a lower commitment for a one day round trip summit hike. The Crags trailhead is located on the northwestern side of the mountain at 10,000′ and spends the majority of time winding its way above timberline through alpine tundra. This route is open year around; winter trekking may require the use of snowshoes and other specialized equipment.
