Pikes Peak

Pikes Peak from the east

Pikes Peak (formerly Pike 's Peak ) is a mountain with an altitude of 4,301 m ( 14,110 feet) in the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains, near Colorado Springs, Colorado. It was named for Zebulon Pike, an explorer who led the 1806 Pike expedition to the southern Colorado. It is one of Colorado's 53 mountains whose peaks rise higher than 14,000 feet, and thus the so-called Fourteeners ( four ten thousands ) belong. There is a research institute and a small gift shop on its summit.

The first known ascent succeeded on July 14, 1820 the botanist Edwin James and two companions, who belonged to one mentioned by Stephen Long expedition.

1858 gold was discovered in the area, Pike 's Peak or Bust was the battle cry of gold seekers.

On the Pikes Peak there was once a ski area but had to be closed due to lack of snow. Because the mountain is exposed to little natural snowfall, had costly artificial snow produced, but was blown away by the prevailing winds Stark always fast.

The original official name " Pike 's Peak " in 1891 was modified in the present notation. Since 1978, writes a law of the State of Colorado this spelling before binding. Nevertheless, there is still here and there the old name.

About a previously partly unpaved, since 2011 consistently paved winding track with impressive views, mostly without guardrails Summit ( The Summit ) can also be reached by car.

The namesake of Pike has his (whom he first called " Grand Peak" ) never mounted, he stopped him for allegedly even invincible, but this was quickly dispelled. 1835 received the Pikes Peak then its still valid name in honor of Zebulon Pike, who for many years was at this time, however, dead.

On clear days the Pikes Peak to be even still be seen from the border with the neighboring state of Kansas from east.

On July 4, 1961, the mountain was recognized as a National Historic Landmark, on 15 October 1966 he was included in the National Register of Historic Places with the number 66,000,245.

Pikes Peak Marathon

Every year a marathon to the summit and back down instead, which runs on the Barr Trail.

The mountain race Pikes Peak International Hill Climb

On the above -mentioned slope to the summit every year since 1916 a world-famous racing drivers under a mountain race, the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb ( PPIHC ), also called "Race To The Clouds" discharged. The track record for the 12.42 miles 19.99 km long racetrack, respectively with a total of 156 curves is since 2013 in 8:13,878 minutes and was set up by Sebastien Loeb on a Peugeot 208 T16.

Rack railway

Up to the summit of Pikes Peak has been operating since 1891 with the Manitou and Pike 's Peak Railway, the highest cog railway in the world.

It operates in the months of April to December. While in the past with steam locomotives reached the summit, now go modern diesel railcars on the approximately 16 km long railway line, has to offer stunning panoramic views.