Today is my cousin Julie’s birthday. A few days ago we decided, should the weather permit, that we’d drive up to the summit of Pikes Peak. Until recently I didn’t even know that there was a road up to the summit, but there is! It’s called the Pikes Peak Highway. Parts of it are a little hairy, but we made it to the top without incident. This was my second time up to the summit. Last time it was winter and we took the cog railroad up. Very cool! Next time up, I hike!
Click HERE to read about my last trip up to the summit and see a wicked cute picture of my nephew! And HERE to see another picture of my niece, Alaska, from the same trip.
Here Julie and I are. Taking the requisite touristy picture in front of the summit sign.
From “down there”, those little red rocks in the middle of the right side of this photo are massive monoliths at the Garden of the Gods! On a clear day, you CAN see forever!
Weird looking railroad tracks, huh? These are for the cog railway that goes from Manitou Springs to the summit.
And of course, a foot picture. We are facing west. More of the Rockies off in the distance, and two lakes!
We had planned on stopping at one of the rest areas/picnic areas/scenic overlooks to have a picnic lunch, but time was not our friend and so we ate in the car while driving back down the mountain in the lowest gear my car had to offer. It’s such a steep drive that there’s even a mandatory brake check on the way down, and if your brakes are hot, you are off the road until they cool off! Never seen that before! AND on the way back down we actually got snowed on! It was a perfectly clear, bright, and beautiful day, and out of nowhere, snow! That’s why they warn you that the weather is unpredictable up there. Unpredictable, indeed!
Happy Birthday, Julie! For sure we’ll do this one again! On foot next time!
And under the category of “ask, they can only say no” goes this one! I told the ranger at the tollroad that Julie was only 12 and that it was her birthday, and could we get her in for the child’s fare…
And he did it! Ask. They can only say no! 
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