You probably heard that my son Carson and I had been planning on hiking up Pikes Peak. I trained like crazy and he didn’t train at all. I was a little worried he’d really struggle but let’s cut to the chase right now. He did not. Not at all. Young lungs I guess! Here’s me leaning on an unusual rock formation just about halfway up on Day 1.
Carson taking a little break where the main trail meets the Manitou Incline, which is a super-difficult, infamous trail straight up a neighboring peak.
Just about halfway up the mountain. I love these old metal signs they made so a**holes couldn’t destroy them. I think they’re about 70 years old.
This is where we stayed halfway up the peak overnight. It’s called Barr Camp, after the guy who built the trail. No electricity and no wi-fi so when it got dark there was nothing to do but go to bed. Which we and our 10 roommates all did. Fortunately, no one snored!
Near this cabin is a hill with so much beautiful white quartz. Just something you never see and this is the only place I’ve ever seen anything like it.
I LOVE this picture! The woman in the center is Nicole. She’s 78 years old and I saw her at the cabin this year and she remembered me from when we met last year. She’s SO impressive. She hikes this trail 2 times a week. That’s her friend Julie on the right. Hi Julie!
That’s Nicole on the right from when I met her last year. I just love that I ran into her again. Did I mention she’s 78???
On to Day 2! Lots of people think it’s okay to throw orange peels, apple cores and banana peels on the ground. It’s not. Other people walk by and this is what they have to look at. Leave No Trace Bitch!
Stopping for lunch on Day 2. Almost everything went great on the hike EXCEPT we forgot to pack a lunch for either day. That meant Doritos and jerky. Not a lot of nutrition there and we paid for it later.
Getting close now! 13 miles up the mountain!
We knew we were close when we could see the cog railway train on the summit. Can you see it?
One of my favorite spots on the trail is this sign. Why? Because we’re almost there! They call this section of the trail 16 Golden Stairs. There are more than 16, they’re NOT stairs and they sure aren’t golden! It’s extremely steep and difficult, but like I said, you’re almost there!
We made it! This is the sign at the entrance of the trail going down OR the sign that marks the end of the trail going up. WOW! I was so happy we did it!
Of course we had to get a picture by the official summit marker!
Right after we got a ride down the mountain, we went to dinner and had a celebratory shot of scotch and dinner!
Back in Minnesota, Saturday was Roger’s Rescue Ride. We got rained on a little but we had a GREAT time and met so many great people. Plus, we helped raise money for homeless pets!
Speaking of pets, Roger and Bernie are pretty much friends now.
We took Bernie and the girls to the Centennial Lakes Art Fair and for no reason at all, I picked him up for this picture. He’s such a chill dog, he didn’t mind at all.