Some changes for 2024 - the shuttles are now running from mile 7 instead of mile 16. They are now guided tours for $30 for adults and $8 for kids. If you prefer to drive your own vehicle, you can still make a timed entry reservation at drivepikespeak.com!
@@Xbrownpride13 They're all amazing experiences! If you're comfortable with mountain driving, the highway gives you the most freedom with your schedule. The train and jeep are a little pricier but then you don't have to drive up yourself and you get a guided tour.
Love it. We just moved to Colorado Springs from TX & I'm looking at Pikes Peak Summit from my Apartment. Make sure your vehicles transmission has a "Low" gear. It's a requirement. We haven't been anywhere to enjoy every Colorado Springs has to offer yet but, soon! 🤟
This was pretty cool to watch. We were in Colorado Springs in October/November last year(2023) and I drove up Pikes Peak, we are heading back in two days and already have our tickets to take the Cog Railway up next week for a different perspective of the mountain just 5 months apart. One part I think was missed about driving up is how terrifying it really can be above tree line, many other videos do that though.
For sure - it’s a hard line to walk. It’s very scary for some and doesn’t phase others. But that’s hard to say without freaking everybody out 😉 Thanks for watching and for coming back to see us!!
I lived in Colorado Springs in 1973. We could see Pikes Peak out our living room window. I regret that we did not get to visit Pikes Peak though. Thanks for this great video.
Very likely! We usually get our first snow storms in mid to late October, but its not unheard of to get snow even in September. We actually just got our first snow of the season on Pikes Peak yesterday!
OMG I am a native Coloradoin and I now love Half way around the. World have been to Pikes Peak since the 1990s this is at the top of my bucket list 13:01
The Pikes Peak Highway still has the switchbacks towards the top! They have just made a lot of updates in the past few years and they paved the road in 2011 :)
This is a great video! Thank you! I’m planning a trip there next summer (early June). I live in the Smoky Mountains of TN but our mountains don’t even compare to yours! I’m excited to see the area, although a little nervous about the drive up and down Pikes Peak but a fear I want to conquer!
@@visitpikespeak so i have questions about the COG. I saw your video where you said to park in Manitou and take the shuttle to the depot. Where do you park in Manitou to take the shuttle and how far is it from the shuttle? Manitou is definitely on my list of places to visit as well as Cripple Creek. I’d also love to visit like an old west ghost town or old mining town.
@@SmokyMTNguy_ park at Hiawatha Gardens and take the shuttle up to the Cog Railway - shuttles leave from right next to that parking lot and it's 5 minute-ish ride to depot. Here's a video we did about the Cog ride: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-w04riic-QM0.html
It's not true that there's not enough oxygen for trees to grow above 11,800ft as you said. Trees release oxygen into the air and absorb carbon from the soil. Above 10,000ft the soil is too frozen for the roots to grow deep enough to absorb the nutrients they need. The fact that exposed windswept peaks don't have much soil on them to begin with makes it even more challenging at the rocky top, and erosion from precipitation tends to keep the soil depth comparatively more shallow than lower elevations. There is less oxygen up that high though.
My parents are both from Colorado, but I grew up in Florida. We went to Colorado every year to visit family. One year we decided to go up pikes Peak. That was over 50 years ago. It was quite the memorable adventure. For those of us used to the flatlands, it was pretty scary, and the altitude got to us. I’m sure it’s changed a lot in the last 50+ years.
I’m a little confused I was literally just there a few days ago. Drove up. The woman in the window said “going to the top?” I said “yup” she said “$47” ( for me and my two kids) She stuck a red sticker on my windshield and we drove all the way to the top. No timed entry or anything. Just drove and parked
They can sell you a timed entry reservation at the front gate if they're still available when you arrive! The $47 was for 3 $15 tickets and a $2 timed entry permit :)
This is so awesome video,im going on a road trip up in Canada will.go down Montana and Pikes Peak is on my bucket list,,I spent Christmas and New Year in Colorado springs this year ,so will come to drive up and visit my friend again who l8ves in Colorado Springs,Thank you this is very informative
Thank you for this video because we will be visiting mid July and we’re debating taking the train or driving. My only question is this, if I reserve a shuttle pass will there be shuttle at mile marker 16? When I looked at passes online, it only shows the shuttle leaving from mile marker 7.
They actually changed it this year so there will only be a shuttle from mile 7 instead of mile 16. You can still drive your own vehicle to the top if you prefer by reserving a spot at drivepikespeak.com!
Serious question. Why are there no guard rails? Seems incredibly unsafe. Gust at that elevation can tip smaller vehicle. Must be nice to be blessed without vertigo.
There are guard rails in some places, but in a lot of places there isn't really a good spot to put them and they interfere with the snowplows in the winter.
My trip to Colorado is next week, am driving a 15 passanger van with my kids and wife, how safe is it for big vans to drive up and down the mountain, am planning on taking several breaks going up and coming down to let the brakes cool off and to enjoy the vews . Am from Kansas and there's no mountains or hills here lol. Thanks for the video.
To be fair - some of this footage (drone shots) is from earlier in the spring. But there was definitely snow on the summit well into July! "We need the moisture!"
