Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The train usually stays open in winter, though departures are entirely dependent on
weather conditions - it's definitely a roll of the dice. Trains depart from the Manitou
Springs Depot, 6 miles west of Colorado Springs on US Hwy 24. Engineers will drop
hikers at Mountain View (1.5 miles from Barr Camp) on the first and last trips of the day
only. This is the best way to day hike Pikes Peak; a one-way ticket is $22.
Barr Trail
(
www.barrcamp.com
;
Hydro St)
The tough 12.5-mile Barr Trail ascends Pikes Peak with a sub-
stantial 7400ft of elevation gain. Most hikers split the trip into two days, stopping to
overnight at Barr Camp (
Click here
)
, the halfway point at 10,200ft. The trailhead is near
the Manitou Springs cog railway depot; parking costs $5.
If you're interested in doing it as a day hike, you can buy a one-way ticket ($22; first or
last departure only) from the Cog Railway. You'll be let out onto a spur trail 1.5 miles
from Barr Camp where you can join the main trail to the summit (7.5 miles total).
HIKING
CityRock
ROCK CLIMBING
( 719-634-9099;
www.climbcityrock.com
;
21 N Nevada Ave; half/full day $139/169, gym day pass $15;
11am-10pm Mon-Fri, 10am-8pm Sat, noon-8pm Sun)
Learn to climb with this local association, which
runs an indoor gym and leads trips to Garden of the Gods, Red Rock Canyon and Shelf
Road. Rental equipment available.
Challenge Unlimited
( 800-798-5954;
www.bikithikit.com
;
204 S 24th St; per person $95-120; May-Oct)
An Old Colorado
City-based outfitter who for 20 years has led cyclists on the lovely, fully supported down-
hill ride from the Pikes Peak summit into Manitou Springs. There are rides twice a day, in
the morning and afternoon. Advance reservations are a must. It has a handful of other Col-
orado cycling itineraries, too.
CYCLING
CS West Bikes
( 719-633-5565;
www.cswestcyclinghub.com
; 2403 W Colorado Ave; mountain bike rental per 4/24hr $20/30;
10am-6pm Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm Sat, 10am-4pm Sun; 3)
Based in Old Colorado City, CS West rents
high-quality road and mountain bikes, does repairs and will suggest the best mountain-
bike trails in the area. A terrific resource.
CYCLING
