Pikes Peak, near Colorado Springs, looms over the countryside at 14,110 feet. There are many ways to get up the (easily accessible) mountain, but one of the easiest is via the Cog Railway. The Cog Railway departs from just outside of Manitou Springs, Colorado, and costs around $30 for a round-trip ticket. Even though gas is expensive, it's probably cheaper to drive to the top. Though I have to admit, the most exciting option would still definitely involve a long hike. Unfortunately for me, I didn't have enough time in my schedule.
The railway itself travels up the steep hills of Pike National Forest. Along the way, one encounters pine trees, aspen, and the occasional house. The guide for the ascent identifies many cleverly named rock formations along the way, and entertains the passengers in the car. Because of the speed of the train, it was often difficult to get a good shot out the window. Most of my attempts resulted in the average tourist snapshot, though I did have a few successes.
The Cog Railway is designed to withstand up to a 25% grade, meaning a foot of vertical rise over every four feet of track. Due to this, the ride is only around an hour and fifteen minutes each way. My favorite part of the ride up was emerging above the treeline. Something about this seemingly deserted environment captivates and intrigues me. And best of all- we encountered an afternoon storm at the very top of the mountain. My experience photographing in this weather will have its own post soon. Though I enjoyed the opportunity to stand atop a 14,000 foot tall mountain, I still would have rather reached my destination in a more adventurous manner. It was still a fun experience, however, and I highly recommend it for anyone planning to travel to the region.