Pikes Peak - The Winter Version
My first visit to Pikes Peak was in the fall. We paid the admission fee and drove the 19 miles to the top. We saw a few snowflakes and managed to catch an adult tricycle ride on the way down. On my most recent visit it was December and I wasn't even sure if the road was open. But we were in Colorado Springs anyways, so we decided to give it a try.
Pikes Peak from the highway
It was open and the admission fee to drive it was discounted to $10. The catch was that the road was only open to Mile 13 due to high winds. But we said, "why not?" and decided to do it.
Pikes Peak was wearing quite the different look this time around. But it was still just as majestic - maybe even more so in the snow. There were maybe two or three other cars on the road and it was nicely cleared so we had this winter wonderland pretty much to ourselves.
This is at the reservoir at Mile Marker 6. There were signs warning of the danger to stay off the ice. She's standing on a rock above the lake, not on the ice.
We got out of the car at Mile 6 at the Crystal Creek reservoir and the visitor center, which was closed.The wind was whipping like crazy and it was cold! We took some very quick photos and took a bathroom break along with one other family who was braving the wind also.
We happily got back in the car and kept driving up and up until we hit Mile 13 and the Glen Cove Inn. The Glen Cove Inn was originally a cabin built in 1886 which was then turned into a traveler's way station on the "road to the clouds". We stopped at the gift shop there and by now the wind was really fierce. I could see why it was closed at the top! And we turned around and went back down. We did stop for a few more photo opportunities - they were also very quick!
At the entrance to the road to Pikes Peak is the Pikes Peak Winery. We thought we would stop there for an afternoon glass of wine but they were closing for the day. So we went around the corner to The Wines of Colorado - an eatery with a wine tasting room. We tried the house specialty of French Onion soup - it really hit the spot after (almost) climbing a mountain, albeit by car!
How about you? Have you been to Pikes Peak? In the winter?
I'm linking up once again with : Travel Photo Thursday at Budget Travelers Sandbox, The Weekly Postcard at Travel Notes and Beyond, Weekend Travel Inspiration at Reflections Enroute and Weekend Wanderlust at A Brit and A Southerner!
It was open and the admission fee to drive it was discounted to $10. The catch was that the road was only open to Mile 13 due to high winds. But we said, "why not?" and decided to do it.
Pikes Peak was wearing quite the different look this time around. But it was still just as majestic - maybe even more so in the snow. There were maybe two or three other cars on the road and it was nicely cleared so we had this winter wonderland pretty much to ourselves.
This is at the reservoir at Mile Marker 6. There were signs warning of the danger to stay off the ice. She's standing on a rock above the lake, not on the ice.
We got out of the car at Mile 6 at the Crystal Creek reservoir and the visitor center, which was closed.The wind was whipping like crazy and it was cold! We took some very quick photos and took a bathroom break along with one other family who was braving the wind also.
At the entrance to the road to Pikes Peak is the Pikes Peak Winery. We thought we would stop there for an afternoon glass of wine but they were closing for the day. So we went around the corner to The Wines of Colorado - an eatery with a wine tasting room. We tried the house specialty of French Onion soup - it really hit the spot after (almost) climbing a mountain, albeit by car!
How about you? Have you been to Pikes Peak? In the winter?
I'm linking up once again with : Travel Photo Thursday at Budget Travelers Sandbox, The Weekly Postcard at Travel Notes and Beyond, Weekend Travel Inspiration at Reflections Enroute and Weekend Wanderlust at A Brit and A Southerner!
Beautiful shots. I always love visiting places like this in different seasons. Thanks for linking up this week. #TPThursday
ReplyDeleteThanks! And thanks for visiting!
DeleteCool! I didn't realize you could drive to the top. What an experience.
ReplyDeleteIt is a cool drive - once you get above the treeline it looks a bit other worldly - kind of like Haleakala on Maui. Barren, desertlike and rocky. And obviously great views! Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteIt looks like an exciting mountain trip. I bet that onion soup seemed like heaven after the cold winds you had experienced at Mile 13!
ReplyDeleteThe onion soup was heavenly - theirs is fantastic! Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteI have read so much about the different things to see around Colorado Springs. Seems like a little slice of paradise for those who love the outdoors. So good you guys were able to visit Pike's Peak during winter. The scenery was great.
ReplyDeleteColorado Springs is really great for visiting the outdoors - Garden of the Gods, the Manitou cliff dwellings, the Manitou Incline and of course, Pikes Peak. Lots of fun and beautiful views! Thanks for visiting Ruth!
DeleteI haven't been there, but I love snow anywhere.
ReplyDeleteIt was beautiful in the snow! Thanks for stopping by Paula!
DeleteHi Jill, thank you for joining #TheWeeklyPostcard. I would like to visit the Pikes Peak in Colorado Springs. Your post and beautiful pictures are surely a great advertisement for this place.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much! I hope you get to visit someday. Thanks for visiting!
DeleteWow...what gorgeous shots. I have not been near Pikes Peak for years! Too many years. We used to go down there for a mountain fix when we lived in Cheyenne.
ReplyDeleteThanks Corinne! The funny part is that I wasn't going to try to go because I thought it would be closed but my family said "let's give it a shot" - I would've missed out! And thanks for visiting!
ReplyDeleteSo beautiful and truly winter wonderland. We were in CO Springs a couple of years ago in January and didn't get the chance to go up to Pike's Peak. Thanks for showing me what I missed and have a virtual tour.
ReplyDelete