Pikes Peak Alternate THs

[AndrewLyonsGeibel]

What alternative trailheads exist for Pikes? A recent thread mentioned the Heizer TH which I wasn’t aware of. A quick google search is flooded with Barr and NW slopes. Just looking for ways to avoid the crowds, especially the incline, and the drive to the Crags TH.

[zoomie83]

This might help:

http://www.cospringstrails.com/hikes/heizer.html

[Dakota]

This is coming if you haven't already seen this,

http://gazette.com/long-dreamed-pikes-p ... le/1611997

[pmeadco]

Horsethief Park is another route that gets mentioned a lot.

This is coming if you haven't already seen this,

http://gazette.com/long-dreamed-pikes-p ... le/1611997

That isn't a summit route. It could be used as a base for a bushwack up Windy Point.

[AndrewLyonsGeibel]

I saw that Justin used horsethief on his adventure. Maybe I should clarify that I’m more of a summer hiker in terms of 14ers.

[Dakota]

Horsethief Park is another route that gets mentioned a lot.

This is coming if you haven't already seen this,

http://gazette.com/long-dreamed-pikes-p ... le/1611997

That isn't a summit route. It could be used as a base for a bushwack up Windy Point.

"The trail will allow a new route to the 14,115-foot summit for users who enter through North Cheyenne Cañon Park and connect with Barr Trail." My point in mentioning it was he (OP) could skip the Incline and not drive to Crags.

[Oldskool70]

I knew I never shoulda mentioned Heizer!

Just funnin' I used to keep it my lil' secret from my Land surveying days up Ute Pass but this whole Interweb thang jacked it all up. Don't park at the end of the road though by the TH. The Cascade NYMB's will roast you. Park your vehicle at the few spots at the park.

[justiner]

I thought Horsethief was great - a bit more adventurous than Barr or Crags; a little longer than Crags. You start off on fairly easy, albeit steep terrain, until things level off a bit. That could all be potentially rideable by MTB if you wanna cut down time a bit. The route kicks up steeply, and the trail becomes much less defined, as you search for cairns. This'll keep up until after treeline, where it becomes a talus hop up a drainage, with some waterfall action (very pretty). There's some potential rock climbing route development in the area around this, if it hasn't been developed already - good looking granite crags with cracks all over the place. A nice place to scramble about if one wants to get a feel of Class 3 terrain without the commitment I guess. Once you crest the slope up the drainage, you quickly meet up with the Crags/NW slopes route. The route really does change characteristics at this point, as the highway comes into view, and it becomes a bit less idyllic with the # of people and bustling/noise of cars.

(https://www.strava.com/activities/1091982160)

The Missing Link trail looks promising! Although it doesn't fully Ring the Peak, which is what I thought it may do at first reading. Here's a really rough map:

http://www.medwheel.org/missing-link/

Could be a nice way to avoid the highway/Manitou.

I'm looking forward to a true Ring the Peak (however unrealistic it is). It seems like it would be a really cool beginner multi-day backpack destination right outside of CO Springs.

http://gazette.com/hickenlooper-colorad ... le/1586950

http://gazette.com/months-after-gov.-hi ... le/1584529

It won't be no Wonderland Trail, but I guess it doesn't have to be.

[Oldskool70]

I'm looking forward to a true Ring the Peak

I dunno man. When it is 'official/legal' all the way around, I'm sure it will be VERY popular. Think Incline. Careful about what you wish for. Ask Manitou Springs.

I'm sure El Paso SAR is cringing for that day.

I did the RTP last fall and it was a blast! Yes, I had to take Hwy 24, 67 & Gold Camp for a few miles to not step on anyone's toes, but most of the time I didn't see folks except near the 'portals'. Actually wanted to do it before it was official.

[Jim Davies]

Climbing Pikes Peak via the Missing Link would basically just be a much longer way to start up Barr Trail (hitting it less than halfway up). There are few other ways you could accomplish the same thing, like Heizer or Ute and Longs Ranch Road, but all of them wind up longer.

There are a few alternate ways possible up the south and west side, but they generally involve bushwacking and/or trespassing, and aren't going to save you any driving time. Most of the terrain back there is pretty benign, but CS Utilities and various other private and public entities own a lot of it, which is why closing the Ring the Peak gap is such a problem. Horsethief Park looks like the most feasible to me, but it just joins up with Crags route for the last few miles.

[AndrewLyonsGeibel]

I’d be interested in info about any alternate that don’t involve trespassing, even if that means a longer drive. The last time I did the crags route I took two days and cycled there the night before.

[jrs1965]

You could always park for free at Green Mountain Falls and then take the Catamount Trail up to Catamount Reservoir? From Catamount Reservoir, I assume you could cut over to Barr Trail, Y-Col or Crags Route? Lengthens an already long route but makes for easy parking. Doesn't completely eliminate crowds...

Edit: Very non-standard route, and I've yet to successfully do it, but could cut over to the South Cirque route. Eliminates crowds on Barr. Another not so legal route but possible perhaps would be to follow the Cog Train tracks up. The cog train is closed for track maintenance right now until April. Doubt that opens it up for hikers tho. Northeast Ridge and East Gulley are two more winter routes.