Pike National Forest

Activities: Hiking, Horseback Riding
Length: 13 miles (21 km)
Season: Spring, Summer, Fall
Elevation: Beginning Elev.: Ruxton Avenue 6,720 ft. End Elevation: Pikes Peak Summit 14,110 ft.
Attractions: Foot and horse trail. Motorized vehicles are prohibited. Hiking or riding along the Cog Railroad right-of-way is prohibited.
Access:

1. Trailhead is off Ruxton Avenue, Manitou Springs Colorado above the Pikes Peak Cog Railroad Depot.
2. Some visitors ride to the summit by auto, bus, or Cog Railroad and hike down the trail.

Narrative: Barr Trail, named after its builder, Fred Barr, was constructed from 1914 to 1921. The trail passes through three ecological life zones: Montane. Spruce-fir and alpine. Wildlife species common to those zones are frequently observed. Pikes Peak has been a landmark since before recorded history. It was named for Zebulon Pike who described the Peak in 1806 while exploring in the area to the south. The first recorded climb to the summit was in 1820 by Dr. Edwin in James of the Stephen H. Long Expedition. At present, over 60,000 visitors per year are estimated to climb the peak on the Barr Trail.

Difficulty: More Difficult
Maps: Pike & San Isabel Nat Forest
Quad Maps: Manitou Springs, Pikes Peak

Pikes Peak Ranger District
601 South Weber Street
Colorado Springs, CO 80903