Pikes Peak - Is it Worth It?

Pikes Peak, as many of you know, is the tallest peak in Colorado that you can easily access by car. From the top, you get an awesome view looking down.

However, with the recent construction, and at the time of Covid-19, is it really worth visiting?

We travelled to Pikes Peak in the middle of the pandemic, and I will show you everything you need to know if you are planning a trip to Pikes Peak, and whether or not you should go.

So let's jump right in!

So these pictures might be a little bit convincing for you to go to Pikes Peak.

And yes, what images you see are exactly what are on Pikes Peak. I took these photos to show you what the view is like.

Yes, a picture is worth a thousand words, but in person, it is 100 times better. The view is spectacular and there are a lot of stopping points on the side of the roads to take photos like the one below.

These viewpoints are wonderful and definitely worth the trip. So now you might be asking, "What is the downside?"

The Downside of Visiting Pikes Peak

The downside is that it is not a good place to visit at this time. First of all, there are a lot of people that are coming. And that is not good during the pandemic, as the top is a crowded place, and there isn't much room.

And on top of that, they bring you up in groups. Because of the construction going on, there isn't parking at the top, so only handicapped people and motorcycles are allowed to park at the top.

There is a dirt parking lot near the top where you park (which is very steep), and you wait in a line to be board in a van that takes you to the top.

The line for the van will set you back at least an hour and a half. Then you board into a van with 10 other people you don't know. And you don't need to have a negative Covid test or your temperature taken.

We tried to be as careful as possible, trying to distance as much as we can. But it's not that easy in a minivan with 10 other people.

And then once you get to the top, you are greeted to the noisy construction and another long line to enter the viewing area.

And once you do enter the viewing area, you are sure to be disappointed. The photos of Pikes Peak may look amazing, but at the highest point, this is what you are greeted with.

You don't even get to visit the edge of the viewing point, so the trip to the top was practically wasted. And then we had to wait another half an hour for a van to take us back to the parking lot.

Verdict

So my verdict is, it is a great idea to go to Pikes Peak, but the trip to the top is not worth it. There are small trails which you can walk, and I recommend doing that. It just isn't the right time to go to Pikes Peak if you want to go to the top.

Thanks for reading! If you are in Colorado and want to see some more places, read my post about Rocky Mountains National Park and Maroon Bells in Aspen!

Ultimate Guide to Rocky Mountain National Park

Maroon Bells - The Highlight of Aspen, Colorado