Trailhead Elevation: 6,700 ft.
Barr Camp Elevation: 10,200 ft.
Summit Elevation: 14,110 ft.
Hike Elevation Total: 7400 ft.
Hike Mileage Total: 22.55 mi. (my GPS)
Trip Report
Thursday, February 27
Start Time: 8:14am
Barr Camp Time: 12:35pm
Mileage: 6.22 miles
Elevation Gain: 3500 ft.
We went through some excellent discussion this winter as to which mountains to tackle during our quick 4-day trip. In the past we have hiked on some of the easiest winter 14ers: Quandary, Sherman, and Elbert. One of our initial thoughts this year was to step it up a notch and go after one like La Plata Peak. Its still relatively safe from avalanche danger if you follow the right route. But then we stumbled upon this idea of hitting the Barr Trail in winter. Its a route that rarely has avalanche danger, and though it is long, an overnight stay at Barr Camp in the middle makes it into a manageable hike. And thus, we settled on Pikes Peak for this year's winter climb.
We went through some excellent discussion this winter as to which mountains to tackle during our quick 4-day trip. In the past we have hiked on some of the easiest winter 14ers: Quandary, Sherman, and Elbert. One of our initial thoughts this year was to step it up a notch and go after one like La Plata Peak. Its still relatively safe from avalanche danger if you follow the right route. But then we stumbled upon this idea of hitting the Barr Trail in winter. Its a route that rarely has avalanche danger, and though it is long, an overnight stay at Barr Camp in the middle makes it into a manageable hike. And thus, we settled on Pikes Peak for this year's winter climb.