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Barr Camp entrance

Colorado has a lot to offer in experiences and things to check off the bucket list but there’s one thing that everyone needs to do to really get the full feeling of Colorado; climbing Pikes Peak. Whether it be for bragging rights or a physical challenge, the 14,114-foot climb is worth the trip.

Before going on your hike, it is important to be informed about all the components which go into a successful climb. First, if you’re parking at the base of Barr trail, you need to make sure that you have reserved a parking spot because due to the popularity of this trail, they have recently put in an electronic parking reservation system. You can reserve your spot here. You should also make sure to know approximately how long it will take to get to the top, so that you can schedule your cog railway tickets, which you can do here. Another clear essential is water. You will need to know how much water you personally need and be sure to overestimate, but if you do need a refill, you can do so at Barr Camp, which is about halfway through the climb. At the Barr Camp, you can also find plenty of snacks but I can definitely say that if you don’t have some of your own food on hand, it’s going to be a hard time up. Lastly, your packing list should include some basic medical supplies and any other things you might personally need to handle a crisis.

The climb starts at the base of Barr trail in Manitou Springs but for those trying to really feel the burn, you can also start with the Incline just around the bend from Barr trail. From the top of the incline, the trail breaks off to the right to take you near the two-mile marker on the Barr trail.  For those willing to wake up early, I suggest starting on the trail at around 5 A.M. or earlier, mostly due to the fact that Barr Trail seems like the most populated area in all of Colorado later in the day. If you choose to take the Barr trail all the way, you’ll notice that the first few miles consist mostly of switchbacks that break off into other trails, so make sure to stay on the main path until you find the distance markers that will point you towards the peak. After you pass the top of the incline, the trail will not gain much elevation and, in fact, is mostly just flat and straightforward with a few ups and downs here and there until you arrive at Barr Camp.

Barr Camp is to me one of the most enjoyable parts of the hike. If you go at the right time, Barr Trail is right around where the clouds normally touch down, so you’re likely to get a peaceful yet eerie fog. The main cabin in the camp is a small but cozy place right by the entrance, where you can stock up on food, water, Barr Camp merchandise, and even some friendly conversation with the other campers and hikers. You can also stay the night in their cabin or set up a tent of your own outside. I love spending some time up at Barr Camp because it’s really just a great environment where you can get hot chocolate or coffee and if you enjoy meeting hikers from all over the country and even the world.

For the next few miles, it’s pretty quiet with a steady climb until you reach the timberline where the trees turn to rocks and you can see past the trail, out over the city. If it’s an especially cloudy day, it’ll be just a sea of clouds because by now you have reached way above the cloud line. At this point, you can also find the timberline shelter which is a small place for anyone to stay and take a break to look out over the edge. The timberline marks the final stretch of the hike, which shoots up, climbing around 500 feet in just three miles. This part again consists of mostly switchbacks.

The last part feels like forever but eventually, you’ll reach the famous “16 golden stairs,” the final few hundred feet of the 13-mile hike. Once at the very top you reach the summit house where tired climbers can eat, rest their feet, look out over all of Colorado Springs, and enjoy some of the summit donuts, which I believe to be the best donuts in Colorado Springs, particularly because they are well earned.

Pikes Peak is arguably Colorado’s greatest destination, so if you have yet to conquer the 14,000-foot beauty, put on your hiking shoes and get moving, just be sure to do lots of research, training, and preparation before you do it!