Hiking Barr Trail With A Professional Guide-2 Day Barr Trail Ascent

Hiking to the summit of Pikes Peak is a truly unique adventure you will never forget, and we are excited to share this experience with you! It is a great physical challenge that immerses us in the beauty of nature. The start of the hike passes through scrub oak groves above Ruxton Creek. After walking a few miles, we will take a quick break at the Incline Bailout viewpoint. From here we can see the Incline in its entirety and cheer on athletes as they ascend 2,768 steep steps to the Incline’s top. Lush conifer trees, stunning wildflowers, and numerous species of animals surround us as we head west. Along the way we will get our first glimpse of Pikes Peak’s summit and the challenge ahead. These last few miles are the big push to finish out our 6 mile day. Legs are tired, backs are sore, and we’re ready for a nap, but we push on for just a bit more until we see that lovely “Welcome to Barr Camp” sign. We have arrived at our destination and home for the night – the charming Barr Camp!

Barr Camp offers an authentic backcountry lodging experience. The resident caretakers cook pancake breakfasts and spaghetti dinners five times a week for all the hungry hikers at camp. They also provide safety and support for Search & Rescue personnel and maintain the camp buildings. It is a rough and rustic life as a camp host, so make sure to tell them thank you. Typically we arrive in the early afternoon to allow for plenty of time for rest, relaxation, and reflection. This time is your own; take a nap, dry out your shoes, read a book, or just sit and enjoy the beauty of being at 10,000 feet! Dinner is served promptly at 6pm and includes all you can eat protein-packed pasta and homemade bread. Make sure to get a second or third helping as you’ll need the calories for tomorrow!

Your guide wakes you in the early morning before sunrise and will prepare a filling breakfast with lots of coffee to get you going. The first few miles are chilly and dark, but we grind them out and are rewarded with stunning sunrise views of the city of Colorado Springs below us. As we switchback along the trail, we reach treeline and the start of the alpine mountain zone. The rest of our route is visible from here, as is the summit of Pikes. Along the way are views into the impressive South Cirque, a massive glacier-carved granite bowl thousands of feet deep. Just before the summit we reach our final challenge, the infamous Golden Steps. At this point, we are tired, sore, and ready for a burger, but we just need to push onwards a little bit more to reach the summit. Once we crest over the east face, we are standing on Pikes Peak’s summit. We take plenty of time to marvel at our accomplishment and enjoy the beauty of America’s Mountain.

Your guide will escort you through the Pikes Peak Visitor Center, which offers a world class museum, cafeteria, gift shop, and restrooms. We spend about an hour here, so grab a fresh burger and fries or treat yourself to the world famous donuts (the traditional celebratory summit snack!). We will then board the Cog Railway for a beautiful descent of the mountain down to Manitou Springs. Expect to see wildlife along the way as well as views that are unique to riding the train.

Congratulations! You have successfully summited a Colorado 14er – Pikes Peak America’s Mountain. Please show your appreciation to your guide as they worked hard to ensure you safely reached the summit. Thank you for hiking with Pikes Peak Alpine School, and we look forward to seeing you again!