Skywatch Friday: At the top of America's Mountain

It's been a few weeks since I participated in Skywatch Friday.  I'm back home from Yellowstone now and I don't have fantastic views to share as often anymore.


A couple weeks ago we decided to play tourist in our own home town of Colorado Springs.  The cog railway that goes to the top of Pikes Peak had been closed for three years during renovation and had recently reopened.  We wanted to check it out.


The new railway cars are beautiful and shiny.  The train starts are the base of Pikes Peak in Manitou Springs.


So thankful to live in a state that requires masks for many indoor activities!  The rail cars are brand new and arrived from Switzerland earlier this year.


Each way up and down the mountain takes about an hour.  We knew to prepare for completely different weather at the top of a 14,000 foot peak...it's always windy and much colder than at the start of the trip.


Amazing views of the front range of the Rockies from up there.  We saw lots of big horned sheep on the trip up, but no pictures because they were on the opposite side of the train.  Sometimes mental pictures are the best.


The city, county, or the Forest Service has put all kinds of work into the visitor experience at the top of the Peak.  All these beautiful viewpoints. I don't know who's responsible for these improvements, but THANK YOU!


I think we could see all the way to Kansas, Wyoming, Utah, and New Mexico from up there.  And yes, that is snow.


The jewel of the crown is the brand spanking new Summit House at the top of the Peak.  Big improvement over what was there previously.  It has a museum, large restrooms, gift shop and of course...


a cafeteria where you can get all kinds of snacks and goodies.  No trip to the top of the Peak is complete without one of the world famous Pikes Peak donuts.  No, they're not that good, but if you're going up there you have to have one.


What made me sad was to see that they demolished the old Summit House to make way for the new one.  Yes, the new one is big and fancy, but there's so much history in the old one.  I'm sorry to see it go.  Hopefully they'll leave this fascade.


Before long the train blew its whistle and it was time to head back down.  You only get about 40 minutes up there which was not quite enough for me.  We could have used a few more minutes to explore.  Others on the train were feeling winded and were more than ready to go back down.  Those darn flatlanders.  😆

Wonderful day with my wonderful hubby.  I highly suggest it if you're ever in the area.

Linking with Skywatch Friday


Comments

polcat24 said…
I was her safety date for this trip. She was suppose to go with one of her girlfriends but she cancelled at the last minute. But I didn't mind. Anytime I get to spend with my darling is good for me!!
October 28, 2021 at 3:57 PM
Spare Parts and Pics said…
Incredible to think you could see to multiple other states with those views. Wow! 14k is some serious elevation. I'm guessing people with medical conditions would have to be careful.
October 28, 2021 at 5:05 PM
Jocelyn said…
Amazing pictures!
October 29, 2021 at 7:37 AM
Yogi♪♪♪ said…
Our next visit we'll have to go check it out. What a great place to take photographs. I am one of those flatlanders who was more than ready for the tram to had back down hill. My one trip up there caused me to lose the desire to run the Pikes Peak Hill Climb. Lots of people from Tulsa do it and I don't know how.
October 29, 2021 at 9:56 AM
Light and Voices said…
Greetings and Salutations! We experience a Cog Rail ride in New Hampshire on Mt. Washington. We had a young, unexperienced engineer take us down. One car held the other car from going down hill at a fast speed. Newbie did not wear a winter coat. Of course, my husband and I had a front window seat. Better than Riverview in Chicago. Land a Goshen! It was amazing we didn't have a heart attack on the spot. We are flatlanders too. We survived. It was an experience I will never forget and would do it again. Pike's Peak here we come someday. Love your photographs. Glad people are wearing masks.
October 29, 2021 at 1:47 PM
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