Barr Camp Hike

[endorphin963]

I am planning to stay overnight at Barr Camp and would like to arrive there by around 6 pm. Would starting at 1 pm be enough for a beginner to reach Barr Camp from Manitou Springs?
I heard that afternoon, there are good chances of thunderstorms. Is that only at the top, OR should I expect it en route from Manitou Springs to Barr Camp as well?

Also, if I happen to reach Barr Camp in an unexpected situation after 7 pm, can I still stay at the campsite I booked at Barr Camp, as I read that the latest I can check in is 7pm?

Thanks for your help

[jrs1965]

Ask the caretakers on checking in. I know at a certain time the main cabin door closes, but that's fairly late I think; 7 PM cutoff could be last-call for dinner? The caretakers at Barr Camp are usually easy to communicate with. They have their email on the website, and there is the Barr Camp Facebook page. On the 6pm start, the lower portion, or first three miles of Barr Trail could be broiling hot at 6 PM. For me, if I were starting at the trailhead, I would be starting in the morning before the sunrise...

[JSFromKY]

I did the Barr Camp hike way back when I turned 40. Did it in 3 hours from TH to BC. That was a prelude to hiking the entire Barr Trail that summer, when I made it TH to BC in 3-1/2 hours and the summit in about 8 hours. So a 1pm start in theory should give you plenty of time, but as they say, your mileage may vary. You mentioned that you're a beginner, but if you're in good physical condition, I don't see why you couldn't make it in 5 hours. Good luck.

[seannunn]

I took the Barr trail to the summit of Pikes around 20 years ago.
Took 5.5 hours; I am thinking about 2.5 of that was to get to Barr Camp. Its about halfway to the top distance-wise, less than halfway elevation-wise.
I was pretty fit but not Andrew Hamilton. I was going strong but not at my limit.

Assuming you have reasonable fitness and aren't invested in hauling 35 pounds of stuff in your pack, 5 hours should be plenty of time.
You will be ascending 3500 feet on a relatively smooth, class 1 trail. Many people can climb 1000 feet/hour without a lot of trouble, assuming the elevation doesn't overly stress them.
You are still in pretty heavy tree cover at 10,200 feet (Barr Camp elevation), so unless there is a torrential thunder storm going on when you leave the trailhead, I would think you will be fairly safe.
Keep parking in mind. It might be tough to find a spot in the lot at the trailhead in the middle of the day, especially on a summer weekend.

Sean Nunn
Peculiar, MO