Rocky Mountain High

Since yesterday was my first official re-purposed (retired) day, I decided to do something I hadn't done before. So, I left Leo to guard the trailer (which means gnaw on a rawhide knot all day) and headed out to Manitou Springs to catch the Cog Railroad to the summit of Pikes Peak.

Downtown Manitou Springs, Colorado

Manitou Springs reminded me a lot of Gatlinburg, Tennessee. Its historic downtown area is devoted almost exclusively to catering to tourists. Since this is Labor Day weekend, it was packed with them. If I had wanted to stop in the downtown area, I don't think I could have found a place to park my truck. The streets were lined on both sides with parallel parked cars, with motor cycles filling an any open space. Fortunately, after worming my way through town, I arrived at the Cog Railroad, where I was directed to an open spot in the RV parking section.

Along with some 200 plus others, I caught the noon train to the summit.

Preparing to leave on the noon train to the summit of Pikes Peak

I couldn't help but notice that a large proportion of the passengers seemed to be from India. Perhaps we are recapturing some of those dollars we are spending on the jobs we have outsourced there.

We boarded the train at 11:40 and started the climb promptly at noon. The first half of the trip winds through through canyons in Pike National Forest. There were little opportunities to take pictures here, since the trees where right up against the train.

Along the way our conductor shared several interesting facts and some pathetic attempts at humor. Among the facts were the following:

•  The U.S. Signal Service (an early Weather Bureau) built a telegraph station on the summit in 1873 to monitor the weather,
• One of the tourists who visited the Pikes Peak region in the late-1880's was Zalmon Simmons, inventor and founder of the Simmons Beautyrest Mattress Company. Mr. Simmons rode to the summit of Pike's Peak on a mule, partly to enjoy the view and partly to check upon one of his inventions: an insulator for the telegraph wires which ran to the Army Signal Station on the summit. The arduous, two day trip on a mule was the only way to reach the top in those days. Mr. Simmons was awed by the scenery but determined that the views should be experienced in a more civilized and comfortable manner. He was relaxing in one of Manitou Springs' mineral baths after his return, when the owner of his Hotel mentioned the idea of a railway to the top. Mr. Simmons agreed with the concept and set about providing the capital needed to fund such a venture.
•  In 1889, the Manitou & Pike's Peak Railway Company was founded and track construction began in earnest. Top wages were 25 cents per hour. Six workers died in blasting and construction accidents.
•  The spring of 1891 was a snowy one, and the opening of the line was delayed until late June. On the afternoon of June 30th, 1891, the first passenger train, carrying a church choir from Denver, made it to the summit. A scheduled group of dignitaries had been turned back earlier by a rock slide around 12,000 feet.

As we made the climb from Manitou Springs (elevation 6,500 feet) to the summit (elevation 14,114 feet) , the temperature dropped steadily. About an hour into the trip we reached approximately 12,000 feet in elevation, which was where the treeline ended. Here the only trees growing were a few Bristlecone pines.

Bristlecone Pine

Our conductor pointed out one of the Bristlecones and noted that they among the oldest trees on earth. Those on Pikes Peak are well over 2000 years old. When the Romans were building the Colosseum, they were saplings.

Above the treeline the temperature dropped rapidly, and when we arrived at the summit, the wind-chill was reported at 37 degrees.

The trip up had taken about an hour and a half, so despite the cool air, it felt good to get out and walk around. And the view was spectacular.

Reservoirs below Pikes Peak

View of Colorado Springs from the summit of Pikes Peak. You can see about 200 miles from here. That's Kansas in the distance

Cog Railway train at the summit

Quite a view

It was nippy at the top and began spitting snow while we were there. Despite the thin air at the summit (about 60% less oxygen than at sea level), I didn't expeience any breathing issues or altitude sickness. Of course, I've been living at an elevation of 8,200 feet all summer at Woodland Park.

It was the view from the top of Pikes Peak that inspired the words to America the Beautiful. It is easy to see why when you visit the summit.

I did not partake in the world famous Pikes Peak Fudge Covered Donuts at the summit. It wasn't a diet thing...the line was too long and I was afraid I'd miss the train down. I may have to take the drive up the next time I'm here so I can sample them.

After spending about 45 minutes on the summit, we re-boarded the train for the trip down. The conductor had emphasized that the alternative to catching the train was to take the 13 mile hiking trail down the mountain, so I was aboard early.

The trip down was uneventful. So much so that ALL of our Indian tourist friends went to sleep. Perhaps it's their customary way to travel by train. Or perhaps they were just coming down from a Rocky Mountain High.