Driving a "11er rather than a 14er: Pikes Peak Highway

The start of the 19km to the summit

So plans do not always come together and today was one of those days. 

After the highlight of being in Utah at the Arches National Park other ideas for the weekend felt like slim pickings. 

Fred then mentioned Pikes Peak, Ian showing him the crazy race up this mountain in Colorado, donuts at 14000 ft and our plans were made.

Nowhere did we factor in snow. The weather forecast was good, the website confirmed that the Pikes Peak Highway was open. 

Our turning point

We arrived. Sure it's open but only to mile 13, the summit with its crazy switchbacks is closed for the winter, snowed in. 

The toll gate attendant mentioned that the summer queues to get up the highway stretch back for a mile. We almost had the highway to ourselves today and got a senior discount - this is called counting blessings.

We drove what we could, took in the splendour and managed the feeling of disappointment reasonably well. 

We got to an elevation of 11440 feet, the air was thin, it was really cold too - so we have done an 11er but have not joined the 14er club here in the Rockies!

And we could see why the Pikes Peak Highway was closed to the summit. This is a hairpin bend coming towards mile 12!

The drive is still impressive, en route up the Highway the views are endless.

Up above the treeline and into the raggedness of the southern Rocky's.