BROOMFIELD, Colo. – No other Colorado fourteener has more ways to its summit than famous Pikes Peak in the southern Front Range. The Barr Trail, the Pikes Peak Highway and the comfortable Manitou and Pikes Peak Railway are ways to reach its 14,110-foot top and enjoy a hot cappuccino.
June 27, visitors have an extra incentive: Actor Kevin Bacon’s band is set to play a concert at the summit as part of the Love Hope Strength Foundation cancer charity fundraiser. The Bacon Brothers perform at 1 p.m. at the Pikes Peak summit, near the observation patio. The foundation says Cy Curnin of the Fixx plans to play at the base in the morning and join hikers on the 7,400 vertical foot climb. White Buffalo is slated to perform at 12,000 feet later that morning.
Start the hike by 5 a.m. on the Barr Trail traversing brutally steep grades flanked with numerous switchbacks for the first three miles. The route then crosses No Name Creek at 8,720 feet. A sign here indicates “Pikes Peak Summit 9.5, Barr Camp 3.5.” Reaching the camp, hikers can take a rest, use the clean toilet facilities and visit the folks hosting the historic landmark.
Don’t dawdle, though. In the next few miles you’ll reach an A-Frame hut area. A couple of years ago my girlfriend pleaded, “Just leave me here. Puhleeze. Just leave me here.” The A-Frame hut area is a picturesque place and she was dogging it. Following the trail, your final challenge is the “16 Golden Stairs,” offering a few more switchbacks along a manageable incline.
Head back down the way you came or opt to take the railway down. Reservations are required on the cog railway. Go to www.pikespeakcam.com for a view of Pikes Peak or visit www.cograilway.com for train information. For information about the June 27 concert, visit www.lovehopestrength.org/site/ppr-home.
In 1893, after reaching the summit of Pikes Peak, Katherine Lee Bates wrote the opening lines to “America the Beautiful.” Once you’ve hiked Pikes Peak, you’ll see it really is an inspirational place. But don’t expect to see “from sea to shining sea.”
