Pikes Peak Travel TipsFrom experience, here a few Pikes Peak travel tips we hope will help along with some wise advise from signage along the Toll Road to the summit.
You, of course, will probably not be spending this entire time on the summit. Consider that a one way drive will take you close to an hour. Allowing for the approximate two hour round trip drive, several hours for scenic stops, photo opportunities and time to walk the trails, etc you will find the time passes by pretty quickly. Always leave a note of your location and time of departure with your vehicle if you will be away for any length of time. While it will only take about a 1/2 tank to make the round trip, it is always a good idea to start out with more than needed. Plan for the unexpected. The first time we made this trip, we were in a 15 passenger van. You will be climbing more than 7,000' in 19 miles and it's hard on vehicles. Using low gears on the way to the top will help you maintain speed. On the way down it will help save your brakes. It's very windy and considerably colder at the Summit than it is at the base in Manitou Springs. The temperature difference averages 30-40 degrees cooler. Pikes Peak Colorado weather is known to change suddenly. If you see a thunderstorm brewing or if thunderstorms are in the forecast, it's best to do this adventure on another day. Thunderstorms tend to well up in the afternoons during the Spring and Summer months. This makes the morning the best time to visit. Should you run into a thunderstorm on the way to the summit, it's best to turn around and get to lower elevations and shelter. Lighting is by far your worst enemy on the mountain. Pikes Peak Travel to More About Pikes Peak Colorado Return to Colorado Vacation Home Common Misspellings: Pikes Peek, Pike Peak
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