Pikes Peak Trip Report 06/10/2011

Report Type	Mini
Peak(s)	Pikes Peak - 14,109 feet
Date Posted	06/10/2011
Date Climbed	06/09/2011
Author	kyriestone

Pikes Peak-Northwest Slopes (from Crags)
I will admit that I was not all that excited about doing this route, partly because of the concept of walking along a paved road for part of the way, and partly because of the idea of hiking up to a summit with a gift shop! However, as far as the summit is concerned, I can say that it is certainly an interesting one. As far as the overall hike goes, it was actually very enjoyable (and slightly more strenuous than I was giving it credit for). Anyway, bear with me, as this is my first attempt at a trip report, so here goes: Start time at Crags trailhead: 5:40 am. Summit: 9:15 am. Start back down: 9:45 am. Back to trail head: 12:40 pm. Hikers in my group: Me, myself, and I Crowds: Not counting the wall-to-wall people in the gift shop, there were none (Thursdays are so much better than Saturdays). Just 2 guys who started at the same time. I passed a group of I think 5 people around treeline, and that was it to the summit. On the way back down, I think I passed 6 people heading up. Weather: About as close to perfect as you can really get. Winds blowing a little around Devil's Playground, but not too much (including the summit) anywhere else. Trail Conditions: Clear, with the exception of a few small snow fields. The first, before Devil's Playground, was a little bit of a post-holing excercise (to the knees), but only 150' long or so. The second and third were skirting the base of Little Pikes, but were easy to walk across. There were also 2 at the road bends further up. One was easy to get around, but one I sort of 'cheated' and cut across the paved section when no one was looking. Looked safer than traversing the steep snow field just below. Bottom line: An enjoyable, rewarding hike that beats the heck out sitting in a chair in front of a computer most of the day! At least there's the internet and 14ers.com, though. Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):

Pikes Peak-Northwest Slopes (from Crags)

I will admit that I was not all that excited about doing this route, partly because of the concept of walking along a paved road for part of the way, and partly because of the idea of hiking up to a summit with a gift shop! However, as far as the summit is concerned, I can say that it is certainly an interesting one. As far as the overall hike goes, it was actually very enjoyable (and slightly more strenuous than I was giving it credit for). Anyway, bear with me, as this is my first attempt at a trip report, so here goes:

Start time at Crags trailhead: 5:40 am.
Summit: 9:15 am.
Start back down: 9:45 am.
Back to trail head: 12:40 pm.

Hikers in my group: Me, myself, and I

Crowds: Not counting the wall-to-wall people in the gift shop, there were none (Thursdays are so much better than Saturdays). Just 2 guys who started at the same time. I passed a group of I think 5 people around treeline, and that was it to the summit. On the way back down, I think I passed 6 people heading up.

Weather: About as close to perfect as you can really get. Winds blowing a little around Devil's Playground, but not too much (including the summit) anywhere else.

Trail Conditions: Clear, with the exception of a few small snow fields. The first, before Devil's Playground, was a little bit of a post-holing excercise (to the knees), but only 150' long or so. The second and third were skirting the base of Little Pikes, but were easy to walk across. There were also 2 at the road bends further up. One was easy to get around, but one I sort of 'cheated' and cut across the paved section when no one was looking. Looked safer than traversing the steep snow field just below.

Bottom line: An enjoyable, rewarding hike that beats the heck out sitting in a chair in front of a computer most of the day! At least there's the internet and 14ers.com, though.

Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):

Comments or Questions

zach62884	conditions look good 6/11/2011 7:16pm When I hiked up the Barr trail last year for labor day weekend the summit was swarming with people, we're talking a few hundred. I'm not gonna lie it was a little depressing having hiked that long and hard to see all those people up there who didn't have to work for the summit.
Craig Cook	Love the last photo! 6/12/2011 12:04am You should post the picture of that sign in the ”best signs” thread (or something like that). That's great!
kyriestone	Agreed! 6/12/2011 1:04am Yeah- I agree with both of you! I'm thinking that the guy I heard in the gift shop talking about 'how cold it was outside' must be somehow related to the guy that took care of the sign!
GraceU2DSummit	Thanks! Think We're Hiking Pike's Next Wee 6/12/2011 4:13am Definitely appreciate the report! Looks like by the time we hike it on Saturday (Lord willing) the snow will probably be even more melted. Zach, I felt the same way when we hiked Bierstadt Peak, went over the Saw Tooth to Mt. Evans to find so many who drove up there. One group was walking by us and said, and I quote, ”Might as well walk up here, we made it this far”. We lost it at the sound of those words :lol: Must admit though, I did ride the Buell (motorcycle) up Mt. Evans with my wife on our anniversay :D
dannyg23	Nice! 6/12/2011 6:43pm These pictures look familiar somehow...
kyriestone	Glad the Trip Report Helped 6/13/2011 12:37pm Hope everyone has a great summer in the mountains!

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