July 6: The Peak (as in Pike's Peak) by Robin Reid

Robin Reid | all galleries >> Picture A Day (Year Two) >> July 05 PaD > July 6: The Peak (as in Pike's Peak)


06-JUL-2005	Robin Reid

July 6: The Peak (as in Pike's Peak)

Colorado Springs, CO

Soaring to a height of 14,100 ft. (4,300 m.) this mountain became the rallying cry "Pike's Peak or Bust" painted on the canvas wagon tops during the gold rush of 1859. It was "discovered" in 1806 by Lt. Zebulon M. Pike who claimed it would never be scaled. Today you can drive to the top, take a cog railway, or climb it. I have done all three (not this trip.)
If you look carefully you can see the Barr trail crisscrossing the face above timberline. You can also see the summit house which serves as the terminal and beacon for all travelers regardless of means of ascent.
The Peak is the icon for Colorado Springs, and this other image ** shows a broader view**of the mountain taken from the Garden of the Gods Visitor Center.

Canon EOS 20D ,Canon EF 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 DO IS USM
1/640s f/9.0 at 270.0mm iso200 full exif

other sizes: small medium large original auto

previous | next

Guest		05-Feb-2006 07:15
There is an international raceway here as well. People using everything from Rally Car's to dirtbike's brave the high altitude turns with no guardrails in their quests for the prize.

Guest		08-Jul-2005 03:33
What an amazing place must be a wonderful experience being up there!!

Guest		07-Jul-2005 17:19
Nice image, love the colors. I see most of the snow has melted.

Elaine (etfitz)		07-Jul-2005 03:30
Wonderful shot! It is so massive!

Karen Leaf		07-Jul-2005 03:20
I almost threw up just driving up PP with all the switchbacks. I couldn't even go near the edge. This shot is a beauty.

laine82		06-Jul-2005 23:54
The view from up there would be fairly good I imagine. It's certainly nice from down here..! To answer your question from yesterday Robin, no I have not seen the Nat Geo article !!

Guest		06-Jul-2005 22:36
I've climbed it 3 times, twice by using the Manitou Incline to get a head start, and once in '94 after it was taken out - let me tell you, it's a much harder first day hike coming all the way from the bottom! On a clear night (and it looks clear there today) the view of the city and the eastern plains is magnificent from the Timberline Lodge if you are camping. Very nice shot.

JeremyGood		06-Jul-2005 21:06
Wow, it looks quite a bit more imposing in the alternate shot.

Pepe Zyman		06-Jul-2005 19:59
Very nice image.

Di		06-Jul-2005 19:56
Familiar shot...know it very well. Beautiful sky today, huh?

Gayle P. Clement		06-Jul-2005 19:25
Great shot of the Peak, Robin.