I moved out to the Springs in 2017 after retiring from the Army and have been up Pikes several times. The most memorable trip was in June 2018 with my sister, her husband, and her daughter. Like you, we ascended while watching some clouds roll in. At that time, you couldn't drive to the top, so you had to park at the Devil's Playground and take a shuttle van the rest of the way. I have to say that the older gentleman driving was either crazy or a mountain goat with the way he drove to the top. However, he was very knowledgeable of everything around the peak. Once we reached the top, the clouds started to get thick, taking on a bit of a greenish hue. We were standing out behind the old Summit House next to the train tracks. There was a tall metal pole near where we were standing. I remember hearing static, crackling, and humming around the pole, like when you stop tuning a radio between stations. My brother-in-law had thinning hair, so it had a pretty fine texture. It started to stand straight up, with all of us getting goosebumps. At that point, I very strongly suggested we get inside immediately. At about that time, one of the rangers came out screaming for everyone to get inside NOW. Once inside, I got to experience one of the freakiest, most terrifying, and amazing things you can experience. I don't think that I'll ever be able to forget that. You get a sense of the massive power of nature, sitting on top of a mountain with a thunderstorm crashing all around you. Donnie, I stumbled onto your channel when your Manitou Spring Water Crawl with your SIL popped up on my feed. I'm looking forward to seeing many more adventures!
wow, so many changes. last time I was at the summit was 1999 when I hiked up the Barr trail before going to boot camp. The new summit house looks fantastic and the cog railway cars are now enclosed too! Just a word of warning for anyone visiting, DO NOT attempt to go to the summit by any means until you have been here for a few days and get acclimated. Altitude sickness is a thing and you will not enjoy the experience if you get it. Also, it may be 80 degrees in the Springs, but at the summit it will be closer to 30 so bring warm clothes.
Have you ever been to the top of Pikes Peak before? Did the altitude effect you in any way?
That view from where you dropped your sunglasses looks like a straight drop lol scary!
I know right?
I moved out to the Springs in 2017 after retiring from the Army and have been up Pikes several times. The most memorable trip was in June 2018 with my sister, her husband, and her daughter.
Like you, we ascended while watching some clouds roll in. At that time, you couldn't drive to the top, so you had to park at the Devil's Playground and take a shuttle van the rest of the way. I have to say that the older gentleman driving was either crazy or a mountain goat with the way he drove to the top. However, he was very knowledgeable of everything around the peak.
Once we reached the top, the clouds started to get thick, taking on a bit of a greenish hue. We were standing out behind the old Summit House next to the train tracks. There was a tall metal pole near where we were standing. I remember hearing static, crackling, and humming around the pole, like when you stop tuning a radio between stations. My brother-in-law had thinning hair, so it had a pretty fine texture. It started to stand straight up, with all of us getting goosebumps. At that point, I very strongly suggested we get inside immediately. At about that time, one of the rangers came out screaming for everyone to get inside NOW. Once inside, I got to experience one of the freakiest, most terrifying, and amazing things you can experience. I don't think that I'll ever be able to forget that. You get a sense of the massive power of nature, sitting on top of a mountain with a thunderstorm crashing all around you.
Donnie, I stumbled onto your channel when your Manitou Spring Water Crawl with your SIL popped up on my feed. I'm looking forward to seeing many more adventures!
Thanks! Great story...you know exactly how I felt hiding under that boulder lol
wow, so many changes. last time I was at the summit was 1999 when I hiked up the Barr trail before going to boot camp. The new summit house looks fantastic and the cog railway cars are now enclosed too! Just a word of warning for anyone visiting, DO NOT attempt to go to the summit by any means until you have been here for a few days and get acclimated. Altitude sickness is a thing and you will not enjoy the experience if you get it. Also, it may be 80 degrees in the Springs, but at the summit it will be closer to 30 so bring warm clothes.
Great advice! Thank you