Pikes Peak (14,110’)
Barr Trail is a timeless classic.
24.5 miles / +7,600’ / -7,600’
Way back in the 80s.
Pikes Peak was my first Colorado 14er, and remains my favorite 36 years later. Lots of 14ers are wilder and more exciting, but something about Pikes keeps drawing me back.
Pikes Peak stands out in many ways:
It has the most most elevation gain of any Colorado 14er via its standard route, Barr Trail:
7,400’ to the summit
Remember you also have to come back down
It’s also long at 24 miles roundtrip.
On the Barr Trail you get to experience three distinct ecosystems:
low-elevation Montane (scrub oak, ponderosa pine, aspen forests)
mid-elevation Spruce-Fir forest (evergreens)
high-altitude Alpine tundra (above treeline, hardy plants)
It has it’s own geologic formation named after it: “Pikes Peak Granite,” a pinkish granite which decomposes into tiny ball bearings you become very aware of on the downhill.
Halfway in mileage and elevation from the trailhead is Barr Camp, a special place in Colorado. It’s staffed year round, and provides food and rustic lodging at 10,200’. With a woodstove, no electricity, and no cell signal, it’s heaven. Even if you’re just passing through, it’s a comfortable spot to filter water and maybe sit by the stove for a few minutes. You might even splurge on a snack or drink on the way down.
In my younger days I took an annual lap on the Barr Trail each fall as an aerobic form of leaf-peeping. I even once managed a winter ascent based out of Barr Camp. It fell off my radar when we moved away from the Front Range, at least until Matthew was ready for it. In September, 2023 we spent two nights at Barr Camp for a leisurely tour of Pikes Peak. It was a good way to break it up for someone’s first time:
Day 1: Manitou Springs to Barr Camp
6.5 miles / +3,479’ / -121’ / 3:36
Day 2: Barr Camp to Summit and back
12 miles / +4,248’ / -4,248’ / 7:32
Day 3: Barr Camp to Manitou Springs
6.5 miles / +121 / -3,479’ / 2:43
When the aspens started changing in the fall of 2025, I found myself wondering if I could still climb Pikes in a day via the Barr Trail. There was only one way to find out. A weather window opened in early October, unfortunately the day after one of Matthew’s most challenging cross country meets. When I woke him at 4:00 AM he told me to have fun and let me know how it went. I was bummed not to have my regular partner on this adventure, but the stars kept me company as I drove to Manitou in time for a 7:00 AM start. It actually went better than I expected:
Barr TH to Pikes Peak RT
24.5 miles / +7,600’ / -7,600’ / 8:47
I have some work to do on my times, but it was nice to see that I was within the cutoffs for the annual Pikes Peak races even with my very limited running experience (I had only started that summer in an attempt to keep up with Matthew). It will be tempting to return next season in better shape and take it from the center of town, which is the starting point for the race.
