Sunday, August 21, 2016
Sunday morning I headed down to Manitou Springs, just outside of Colorado Springs to catch a ride on the Pikes Peak Cog Railroad. The train is one of the first three in the United States. The cog aspect allows the train to climb steep grades safely as it makes it way from the base of the 14er all the way to the summit.
The hour and a half trip was beautiful as the train pulled out of the station and made its way through the pine forests to the tree line and finally to the summit. I saw yellow bellied marmots come very close to the tracks as they were sunning themselves. And the other side of the train saw big horn sheep. Still going to get a photo of those skilled animals.
If you are visiting anywhere near Denver, the drive down to Colorado Springs is worth it and so is the trip up the mountain. Hopefully by the end of next year I will have summited Pikes Peak by way of Barr Trail!
The train pulls into the Manitou Springs Station on Sunday, August 21, 2016.
Pine and spruce trees reach for the sky as the Pikes Peak Cog Railroad makes its way towards the summit on Sunday, August 21, 2016.
A waterfall, higher than Niagara Falls at well over 8,000 feet, on the way to the summit of Pikes Peak on Sunday, August 21, 2016.
A train along the Pikes Peak Cog Railroad on Sunday, August 21, 2016.
Pine and spruce trees reach for the sky as the Pikes Peak Cog Railroad makes its way towards the summit on Sunday, August 21, 2016.
Nearing the tree line along the Pikes Peak Cog Railroad, the Lions Den can be seen in the background on Sunday, August 21, 2016.
Nearing the tree line along the Pikes Peak Cog Railroad on Sunday, August 21, 2016.
One of four lakes that can be seen along the Pikes Peak Cog Railroad on Sunday, August 21, 2016.
Above the tree line on the way to the summit of Pikes Peak on Sunday, August 21, 2016.
Above the tree line on the way to the summit of Pikes Peak on Sunday, August 21, 2016.
Above the tree line on the way to the summit of Pikes Peak on Sunday, August 21, 2016.
A train passes along the Pikes Peak Cog Railroad on Sunday, August 21, 2016.
A yellow bellied marmot suns itself near the tracks of the Pikes Peak Cog Railroad on Sunday, August 21, 2016.
Nearing the summit of Pikes Peak on Sunday, August 21, 2016.
Nearing the summit of Pikes Peak on Sunday, August 21, 2016.
Hikers can be seen along the Barr Trail from the summit of Pikes Peak on Sunday, August 21, 2016.
The train tracks leading up and down Pikes Peak on Sunday, August 21, 2016.
The train tracks leading up and down Pikes Peak on Sunday, August 21, 2016.
Clouds come up the face of Pikes Peak on Sunday, August 21, 2016.
Clouds come up the face of Pikes Peak on Sunday, August 21, 2016.
A view form the summit, 14, 115 feet, of Pikes Peak on Sunday, August 21, 2016.
Another train leads the way down from the summit of Pikes Peak on Sunday, August 21, 2016.
Another train leads the way down from the summit of Pikes Peak on Sunday, August 21, 2016.
Another train leads the way down from the summit of Pikes Peak on Sunday, August 21, 2016.
Another train leads the way down from the summit of Pikes Peak on Sunday, August 21, 2016.