Touring Colorado we saw many beautiful mountain views, but Pikes Peak was far and away the best. Unlike the other mountain passes where you simply see the tops of more mountains, at Pikes Peak you have the most spectacular view in all directions, including over Colorado Springs. You could even see the curvature of the earth which really blew my breath away! Talking of which, the air is very thin at the top (elevation over 14,000 feet) and one should take precautions to avoid altitude sickness, such as drinking plenty of water. In my opinion the coffee sold at the summit café was not pleasant, but they more than redeemed themselves with the wonderful doughnuts they make on site. It is possible to drive (or even cycle, for the super-fit!) to the summit, but we were told that the ride could be quite scary. Much better is to take the Cog Railway, not just for the novelty but for the amusing commentary and the opportunity for all members of the party to admire the views. Book in advance if you can, though, as buying tickets on the day is a little chaotic in the tiny booking office. And be sure to use the toilets before you board the train – asking the driver to stop so one can disembark for a ‘comfort stop’ is a tad embarrassing!
