Pikes Peak via the Crags

Two dudes that look real hardcore outdoors: You guys summiting today?
Me & Seagal: Yeah
Dudes: Is it snowing up there? What's the weather like?
Seagal: I heard high winds, but that's all.
Dudes: Are you bringing snowshoes or anything?
Me: Uhhh...all I have is what I'm wearing and a fleece in my bag.
Dudes: Well we'll carry your frozen carcasses back here.

And so we began our long journey to the summit of Pikes Peak (that we only decided on at 8pm last night), both wondering if we seriously underestimated the road ahead, wearing shorts and without any hardcore gear. The next 6 1/2 hrs proved to be absolutely incredible and the most intense hike I've done so far. For the most part, we were on very steep terrain - I made up for skipping the incline with Pete this morning and then some. Actually, this hike was like 10x incline. It was ridiculously hard. We went up through the forest over large patches of ice, and then we cleared treeline and just kept going up. And up some more. Along the way, we had some absolutely breathtaking views that were picturesque Colorado with forests and snow-capped mountains that no camera could ever do justice. I wish you all could have seen it - it was totally special.

After climbing forever, we reached an area called Devil's Playground that had some totally awesome rock formations, sweet views of a huge valley...and incredible gusting winds. (This is where I whipped out the fleece.) From there, we did our best to follow a trail that would take us the last 2.5 miles to Pikes Peak (which was now in sight). The trail was NOT easy to track at all. It was marked by cairns (piles of rocks) and we had a very difficult time finding them for some reason. But they're there for sure...and if you lose them, just find the easiest line towards the peak and eventually you'll relocate the cairns. The trail is also hard to follow when it's covered in snow.

The last mile or so is crazy intense. You basically climb/zig-zag/hop your way through an enormous field of jagged rocks that will take you to the summit.

That last 2.5 miles was everything I envision for climbing to the top of a mountain. It's unbelievably intense and you're able to see your goal the entire time...and you're totally hurting and fatigued, but so driven on reaching your destination. And when you do reach the top, it's an awesome awesome feeling. When we hit the peak, there were three people walking towards us (who had driven to the top) and we shook their hands and chatted for a bit. It was a super great feeling.

After a 50 min break at the top and the mandatory picture with the sign, we made our way down...which was not the least bit easier at all. We were basically going straight downhill the entire time and our quads were totally on fire. Definitely not easy.

So we're back...alive and well. And guess what? We never saw those two hardcore dudes who scared us at the beginning of the hike. But even though those guys turned out to be a couple weenies, there was definitely some totally intense stuff going on on the mountain. At Devil's Playground, we ran into this skier dude who was going to ski down the backside of the mountain...who knew?? On the way back, we saw these crazy ice climbers. And we thought we were badass.

All in all, it took us 3 hr 45 min to get to the top and 2 hr 45 min to get down. I've taken Barr Trail to the top of Pikes Peak before, and hands-down without a doubt, this backway up DESTROYS Barr Trail. It's way more intense and physical, the views/scenery is 100x better, and you can go up and down in the time it takes you to just go up on Barr Trail. This hike is definitely not something everyone can do. It demands a lot. But if you're up for the challenge and you're comfortable with a little risk, then it's SO worth it.

I found this website last night and it's totally right on for directions and trail description:
http://www.onedayhikes.com/Hikes.asp?HikesID=154

Note: There is a $4.00 fee to park at the Crags campground so make sure you have the cash to put into the self-service box. Also, there are only a dozen or so parking spots at the trailhead so you prob have to go early during the busy season.