Community Forums

Theunz · 04-08-2019, 05:51 PM

Be advised, that as the driver you will not see much of the beauty. The road is almost exclusively switch backs, one right after another, and requires your full attention in order to avoid a head on collision. Now, that being said, it would be a gas flogging your bug up that road, and you wouldn't mind missing the scenery.

beaverfever · 04-08-2019, 06:44 PM

take a warm jacket. it is windy and cold on top.

Skiddy · 04-08-2019, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gormleys

While in the area, be sure to drive around Pikes Peak and on to Cripple Creek. Beautiful scenery and less crowded than I-25. Great museums, a small railroad and a mine tour. Stay at the KOA there. Then go down the mountains to the Royal Gorge. If going in early summer, book a raft trip down the Arkansas as we will have a great run-off from all of the snow.

this is what we did the last time we went. had a great time. also coming down pike's watch your brakes and if you 4x4 use low range. they will stop and check your brake temps

tmw188 · 04-09-2019, 02:00 AM

Got me a bit concerned about the altitude sickness. We won’t have too much time to get acclimated. Driving up in the car not the cog.

lwmcguire · 04-09-2019, 05:38 AM

Equipment is ordered for the Cog and per some sites a couple years out

GaryKD · 04-09-2019, 08:16 AM

Hi All,
I think the brake check is questionable. Maybe they want you to spend money in the store? I used 2nd gear all the way down. Once out of the parking lot (at the top), never used the brakes! 2nd gear was fine. The break check guy told me my brakes were overheated. Yea, right. I thanked him and drove on.

steve52 · 04-09-2019, 08:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GaryKD

Hi All,
I think the brake check is questionable. Maybe they want you to spend money in the store? I used 2nd gear all the way down. Once out of the parking lot (at the top), never used the brakes! 2nd gear was fine. The break check guy told me my brakes were overheated. Yea, right. I thanked him and drove on.

The average tourist will rely on the brake pedal more than they should. Checking is a good idea, IMHO.

Big Dude · 04-10-2019, 07:23 AM

We stayed at Cheyenne Mtn SP last year and enjoyed it but if it's like the Denver SP's you may need to reserve ASAP especially for the W/E.

engine103 · 04-10-2019, 08:05 AM

Timely information Big Dude! I'm finding locations are becoming a little scarce.

2late · 04-10-2019, 09:49 AM

You didn’t say when you were going but a few years ago we were the 4th vehicle up. That was on June 2

engine103 · 04-10-2019, 04:53 PM

Got lucky. Very few sites left but was able to get a large Class A spot secured for June 17 - 21st. at Garden of the Gods.

lwmcguire · 04-11-2019, 06:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by engine103

Got lucky. Very few sites left but was able to get a large Class A spot secured for June 17 - 21st. at Garden of the Gods.

We enjoy camping there and usually fo on of the dinners

Nice walking path to Manitou however due to all the pot stores nearby, lot of pot heads around the area

Nice to visit Old Colorado City but again steer clear of the park as a lot of all nights

Really enjoy Michael Garmin's Gallery there

Fanrgs · 04-11-2019, 10:40 AM

If you like BBQ, don't miss Rudy's on US 24 in Manitou Springs.

Years ago, we came down the Pike's Peak road in a white-out . . . in early AUGUST! We were also tent camping in Cripple Creek over a July 4th weekend one time when we woke to snow covering our tent and the ground outside. Moral: be prepared for any kind of weather around Pike's Peak even in mid-summer.

Betr2Trvl · 04-11-2019, 07:21 PM

We drove up Pikes Peak in late Aug. ‘16 (it was paved all the way at that point).

Mid 70s in Colorado Springs that day, maybe 40 degrees at the top, and some random piles of snow in shady areas (it had showed at many of the higher elevations in CO the week before).

We had been over 5000’ most of the prior 2 months, and at 9000’ in Breckinridge the week prior to getting to CS. We are in pretty good shape, and we could certainly feel the lack of oxygen just walking around at the top.....

Driving down, I put the Jeep tranny in manual mode to control my speed, not needing to use the brakes except for some of the tight hairpins. The guy with the heat gun said something along the line of “did you use your brakes at all on the way down

?

Now, for racing up the mountain.......... always had thought it was totally insane, and since driving it, it certainly is; wow, don’t miss the corner

.

Regards