Pikes Peak Beauty and Recreation near Colorado Springs Real Estate
For over a century, residents and visitors to Colorado Springs real estate have climbed Pikes Peak, one of the 54 mountains in Colorado that reach over 14,000-ft elevations. This one stands out from the others. The backdrop of Pikes Peak and the Garden of the Gods form awesome views enjoyed from homes in Colorado Springs. The mountain peaks at 14,115 feet, 8,400 feet above the elevation of real estate in Colorado Springs.
National Historic Landmark
Pikes Peak gained national prominence through the song, “America the Beautiful”. As much as the beauty of the pink granite formation captures the eye, it’s the panoramic vantage from the top that inspired Katharine Lee Bates to describe its majesty.
Weather conditions at the top of the peak exemplify its changeable high-alpine environment. Its namesake Zebulon Pike described his climb to the top in 1806. “The summit of the Grand Peak, which is entirely bare of vegetation and covered with snow, now appeared at a distance of 15 or 16 miles from us”. Surveying the conditions he turned back. Later he wrote, “I believed no human being could have ascended to its pinnacle.”
In 1820, Edwin James took an expedition up the South Platte River, past the highest peak described by Zebulon Pike. James effortlessly climbed the peak in two days and described the presence of blue Columbine, Colorado’s state flower.
Gold Rush
Pikes Peak or Bust was the slogan of the Colorado Gold Rush. The towering peak was visible to all coming West across the high plains. At that time gold coins were minted in Denver with the phrase “Pike’s Peak Gold”. The phrase was symbolic at that point but finally the Cripple Creek Mining District southwest of Pikes Peak was discovered in 1893.
During part of the 20th century, there was a ski area on Pikes Peak. The United States Army Pikes Peak Research Laboratory is present at the summit of the mountain. The facility researches the impact of high-altitude on human physiological and medical parameters.
Pikes Peak is accessible today at various points around the mountain. Many people have explored the summit of Pikes Peak, participating in Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, mountain biking, and Pikes Peak Ascent and Marathon foot races on Barr Trail. The Manitou & Pikes Peak Railway cog and driving through the Ute Pass at Cascade are popular outings on the mountain. The roadway includes a series of dangerous switchbacks called The W’s.
Pikes Peak is 15 minutes west of Colorado Springs on Hwy 24. The journey to the summit takes approximately two or three hours. Breathtaking scenery of forested beauty, mountain reservoirs, a timberline to the clouds awaits the adventurer. Stops along the way include the North Slope Recreation Area, Crystal Reservoir Gift Shop, Historic Glen Coast Inn, and the Summit House. There are lakes for fishing, picnicking areas, hiking trails and interpretive programs that teach about the area.
Pikes Peak Area REMAX Agents
For more information about Colorado Springs real estate near Pike Peak, please call top REMAX real estate agent Ann Heiring at (719) 440-1010.
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