The Cog Railway

[Artvandalay]

I know people have hiked Pikes Peak via the Cog route. Is this frowned upon or illegal or anything? Do I have to do it when the Cog isn't running? Even if it is illegal and I do it anyways, could I do serious jail time? Thanks.

Brady

[Toni Marie]

I'm not sure if it's illegal or not, but it is generally frowned upon. Here's the train schedule if you decide to do it:

http://www.cograilway.com/Calendar/CalendarDisplay.Asp" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

You could probably do this without much heat from anyone if you schedule your hike around the train's schedule, but do keep in mind that some frown upon this. If you do find out it's illegal, you probably shouldn't go forth.

[CO Native]

It is illegal because it is trespassing. Though the Cog Railway hasn't been too hard on trespassers on the Manitou Incline, they are a lot more protective of the tracks that they still use. Serious jail time is not going to happen, but if caught you can expect a decent fine.

[TehWoopig]

I rode the Cog last year and, while I can't be for sure, I thought I remembered our guide saying that people sometimes hike the Cog route. She didn't say that you aren't allowed to do it after that statement. I don't think they would say anything like that if they had a problem with it. There must not be very many people going up that way.

[Cruiser]

IIRC there are signs along the route that warn about trespassing on private property near the tracks. We rode the train a couple of years ago and decided to get off half way down and hike the Barr Trail back to Manitou. There were definitely signs when we got off at Mountain View that indicated that the tracks were private property.

[SpringsHiker]

It is illegal because it is trespassing. Though the Cog Railway hasn't been too hard on trespassers on the Manitou Incline, they are a lot more protective of the tracks that they still use. Serious jail time is not going to happen, but if caught you can expect a decent fine.

Agreed that it is trespassing and therefore illegal. Getting "caught" is not a big deal. I have done it once and have friends who have done it quite a number of times. Typically done early season when the trail is not clear and the rail is plowed. We have been seen by both the maintenance train and the regular trains. The maintenance guys basically ignore you--we had them pass us below windy point and when we got above 13K they were already out and working on a section of track. We walked right by them and they didn't say a thing and really didn't acknowledge us. On the regular trains, one driver waved at us and another kind of frowned. People on both train started pointing and got up and took pictures like we were some kind of wild life. I think if you are respectful and stay far from the trains so they don't have to worry about you--we stepped quite a ways off the track when they came--they pretty much let it go. Kind of like the incline in my mind.

It is quite a different perspective of the peak as compared to Barr Trail. You can see where you have been and where you are going a bit better than Barr. Note that the route is right about 9 miles so the average grade is steeper than Barr. Also, after passing Windy Point, the rest of the hike is on the west side, which is MUCH windier. We came out of a calm, sunny, kinda warmish hike on the east side and we needed every ounce of gear for the wind and cold on the west side.