Part 4 - Pikes Peak
Part 3 - Mt. Bierstadt
Part 2 : Mount Sherman
Part 1: Longs Peak
What would be Part 1 (Longs Peak), 2 (Mount Sherman), or 3 (Mt. Bierstadt) without a Part four (Pikes Peak)? The saga continues, for better or worse. We’ve talked about the famous, the easy, and now we have to talk about the in-betweeners when it comes to the fourteeners. Did that rhyme?

Pikes Peak is probably one of the most well known 14ers in Colorado, sure it may not be pure adventure, but it is on the list none the less. This wonderful mountain towers over Colorado Springs at 14,115 feet, another great reason to visit the area.

Photo by luca.sartoni

This mountain might not be a bad idea for beginning mountaineers and amateur looking for some safety and peace of mind, and there are several reasons for this. The first reason is that when your legs are tired and wobbly when you get to the top you can hope on the small railroad that runs up to the peak. Or, you can hitch a ride on the way down because of the Pikes Peak Highway that runs to the summit as well.

While this may deter a lot of outdoor adventurers looking for an escape, this would be a great way to lop off a 14er, and get used to altitude and get yourself conditioned for a real beast like Capitol Peak.

Pikes Peak is located in the front range and right on-top of Colorado Springs which makes it a very easy to locate and the area offers plenty of other opportunities.

When it comes to hiking up and down the summit of Pikes Peak, there are really only two options. Probably the most popular route is the Northwest Slopes.

The total route length, round trip, is going to be a little over 13 miles, which is enough to get your legs burning. The trail starts out through some nice alpine forest, then above the treeline into some beautiful grass slopes. You will follow the Pikes Peak Highway on some sections up to the summit. Not so bad for the weak of heart.

There is another route that is 26 miles round trip, that might be enough to do you in!

Sure this is not your typical climb for a 14er, but the length of the route will give you a work out and is a great one for beginners. Have you ever climbed Pikes Peak? How long did it take, how was it? Don't forget to sign up for our exclusive content, now shared on the blog.