Where is pikes peak located on a map

Because of its proximity to the Denver-Colorado Springs metropolitan area, the easily reached location at the very edge of the Rocky Mountains, and the paved toll road that leads all the way to the summit, 14, foot Pikes Peak is the most visited mountain in the USA - over half a million people make the trip each year, some via the alternative methods of hiking or riding the cog railway from Manitou Springs now closed until , but most by driving the 19 mile scenic drive the Pikes Peak Highway , which climbs 6, feet to the summit.

The peak allows visitors a rare opportunity to experience the tundra and Alpine scenery at this high elevation, a landscape usually only attained elsewhere in the Rockies by miles of strenuous hiking. The mountain is open year round since the road is regularly plowed in winter, and although heavy snowfall sometimes blocks access for a few days, Pikes Peak receives comparatively little snow owing to the easterly location at the edge of the Front Range - most precipitation is deposited further west.

The peak is visible from over miles away across the flat plains of eastern Colorado, and even, on cloudless days, from places over the border in Kansas. Overview Pikes Peak dominates the Front Range near Colorado Springs , and is reached by the only road directly into the mountains - US 24, which follows the course of an ancient migration route once used by the Ute Indians, running through the deep valley of Fountain Creek.

Opening hours vary over the year, and in general the last admission is two hours before the gate closes, with visitors required to leave the summit one hour before. Two hours is the suggested time for the 38 mile round trip, excluding stops, as the road is narrow, steep, winding, and subject to a 15 mph speed limit on some stretches. Crystal Creek Reservoir. Start of the Highway - Crystal Creek Reservoir There are no more buildings past the entrance, as the surroundings become forested and the road starts climbing, quite steeply at first, past two good viewpoints of the forested Fountain Creek canyon, with the city of Colorado Springs in the distance.

The gradient lessens a little as the road approaches Crystal Creek Reservoir , a sizeable artificial lake formed by an earthen dam - a popular location for fishing, and the site of one of three cafes along the road, as well as providing the first good view of the mountain, which rises above the waters to the south. Affiliate disclosure Middle of the Highway - Glen Cove From the reservoir, the main road climbs fairly gently through scrubby, mixed forest of pine, spruce, fir and aspen up to a second picnic area near mile 10 half way to the summit , where the surface changes to gravel and the highway begins a major ascent, gaining 1, feet over the next 3 miles via a number of tight switchbacks, where the speed limit is reduced to 10 mph.

Trees fade away and the land is now quite bare, covered only by short grass and the occasional bush part of the Alpine zone so the views are rather more impressive - much of the journey so far has been through thick woodland which obscures the wider landscape.

The forest returns briefly as the road enters the small settlement of Glen Cove mile 13 , which has another cafe and a gift shop, and used to be the site of Pikes Peak Ski Center , until this was closed in owing to lack of consistent snow.

Tall aspen trees along the summit road, in the fall. The Summit The next section is steep once more, though the climb is fairly short, as the road ascends high above the treeline into a landscape of barren reddish hills, pink granite outcrops, and very little vegetation. Your 64 page guide to food, fun, lodging and wide open spaces in Colorado Springs. Home » Explore » Destination. Explore the region. Destinations and Mountain Towns. Beyond Colorado Springs. The lay of the land.

For a more detailed map on the Pikes Peak Region, download our attraction map. Attraction Map. Explore our mountain towns. Colorado Springs. Start exploring. Visit Colorado Springs. Manitou Springs. Get quirky. Visit Manitou Springs. Cripple Creek. A higher resolution model can be found in the PeakVisor mobile app. Do you have photos of Pikes Peak or know something about it?

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