PIKE'S PEAK

Pike's Peak was amazing. It is a mountain in the front range of the Rocky Mountains. At 14,115 ft. it is one of Colorado’s 54 fourteeners. Racers drive up the mountain in the annual Pike’s Peak International Hill Climb. The race is 20 kms with 156 turns and a climb of 4,721 ft. from Mile 7 at a 7% grade. All of this translates to “OH SHIT THAT IS ONE BIG MOUNTAIN!!!” Previous winners of the race are Al Unser, Bobby Unser, Robby Unser (get a name the baby book why don’t you!!!) and the current record holder is Nobuhiro “Monster” Tajina from Japan at a time of 10:01.408 in July 2007. (He regularly practices his fast paced erratic driving on No. 3 Road in Richmond).

But my experience was at a considerably slower pace but a white knuckle drive nonetheless. It was a nice sunny day and I headed up. Since it was a weekday there wasn't much traffic but they are doing a lot of road work so there are big trucks going up and down. The road was paved for most of the way up but there were parts that were hard packed only. NO RAILINGS (not that they would stop a truck from going over) so the drive started to get a bit scary at about 10,000 ft. I turned off my headphones and radio, rolled my window down and started talking to myself. Basically I gave myself the “If all these other people can do it then so can you” lecture. Yes, I have not only started to talk to myself on my adventures but I give myself lectures or tell funny jokes or just sing really loud but only every third word as my daughter loves to point out to me.

Got up to the top which is over 14,000 ft. and parked. There was still some small patches of snow. I had done the calculation re how far it was from the RV Park but didn't take into consideration that of the elevation so it was a bit cold with just shorts and a tank top. Luckily I keep a jacket in the truck in case of rain so it can in handy. I had purchased a better camera and this was the first real test. I got some good shots and even some panorama shots with the camera. The park will not allow people to walk, bike or jog up the peak but there was a company that has people biking down the peak (if only I had more time!!!). Trucks, cars, bikers, gravel trucks - it was a little harrowing. The drive down, in low gear, was spectacular. Since there was no way of going too fast I got to really enjoy the scenery. There was a stop on the way down at about 10,000 ft. and a cute old guy was stopping all the vehicles to test the heat of the brakes.

The pictures do not do the Peak justice. The lake in the picture is located at the start of the State Park. (Pictures on a separate post)

Really a great outing and if you find yourself in Colorado it is a must see!!