Pikes Peak: Drive or take the cog railway?

[disneydentist]

Both options seem to have their share of pl;usses. Have you done either and which would you recc?

Thanks

 

[ColoradoDisneyFreaks]

If you're used to driving in mountain roads, that don't have guardrails, are dirt, and don't always have the full ability to handle large cars side by side, then take the railway. If you really want to look at the scenery, take the railway.

It's a pretty drive, amazing views, but has inspired more than one driver to say "Oh God" and not in awe!

 

[Luv Bunnies]

We took the railway in 2004. It was a great trip. You don't have to worry about driving, and I will say that the road looked pretty hairy. You get the narration of the history and facts about the area. When you get to the top, they only allow you to stay about 30 minutes because of the altitude. That was plenty of time to take pictures, use the restroom, visit the shop and grab a snack. I would definitely recommend the railway.

 

[klmall]

They have "brake check" stops on that road for a reason and even some experienced drivers have panicked on it. DH's best friend had be driven down the mountain years ago. I have done the railway 2x and love it but DH wouldn't even go up once! Make sure you book the railway online ahead of time!

 

[bjscheel]

I've done the railway, you can relax and not worry about the roads or having to ride the brakes on the way down. Lots of different scenery to just sit and take in.

Just make sure to go to the bathroom at the top. DD and I were drinking water to fend off altitude sickness. She had a 25 oz water and it's a long way down with no bathroom breaks. We made sure she was one of the first off before the bathroom line got long!

 

[lisalynn]

The cog railway, definitely!!! I live here & am used to driving mountain roads & one time of driving the Pikes Peak Highway was enough for me. The cog is a little spendy, but relaxing, & oh so worth it!

 

[trip]

Years ago we got a ride to the top and hiked down. It was a fantastic hike. You could always take the Cog up and hike down.

I've also have taken the Cog both ways. Once we took my inlaws and the Cog broke down. Had to wait for another Cog to come get us. My MIL was not too pleased becaused she hated heights and we had had a hard time convincing her to go in the first place.

 

[trip]

..

 

[goofyernmost]

I drove it once (never took the clog) and I can tell you it is not for the faint of heart. There are some steep drops and not a single guardrail to be found. I had a daughter that is deathly afraid of heights and I thought we were going to have to call the EMS until I told her to just close her eyes.

On a clear day, there is nothing that can match it. The scenery is spectacular but breathing can be quite a chore if you are not used to those altitudes. 14000 ft. is a long way up. Brakes are not really a problem if you are driving slow enough, and frankly, you would have to be an idiot to drive fast down through there. The road switches back and forth across the mountain and the steepest declines are on the hairpin corners, the rest has some relatively flat areas where brakes get the chance to cool. Just keep the car in a lower gear and don't ride the brakes.

 

[4nana]

We drove PP 5 yrs ago with our son and I'd vote it as one of the most adventurous trips I've experienced having traveled 50 states . I would have never been convinced to drive it without DS's 4x4 truck, as on a good day it takes over an hour up and hour back. As other have commented, unless you are used to curvy mountainous roads w/o guardrails, you might want to take the Cog and sit back and enjoy the beautiful views. My DH, DS, and couple grands, loved the drive of course, but I thought it was sometimes hair raising when meeting other vechicles or the pavement stops and the very rippled dirt roads have no guard rails on clifts. It was definitely worth it and at the top we enjoyed lunch in the cafeteria.

These are a few pix I took, sorry I had to make them small to fit, but hope you get the idea. Have a wonderful trip!

 

[golfgal]

Take the rail

There are signs all over about not riding your brakes so they don't overheat and fail, etc. There is no margin for error here-failed brakes, LONG fall down the mountain.

I was passenger in a van going up and down Pike's Peak--nope, not driving--take the rail (wasn't an option when we went up). Be prepared not to be able to breath very well up there too.

 

[GDUL]

We were debating a number of years ago as to whether we should drive or take the cog train. We decided to take the train. We could see some of the road going up - I was so glad that we decided against driving up! That is one road that I will NEVER drive! The cog train was relaxing and still had beautiful views.

 

[Micca]

Cog is a great experience. As a safety feature if the cog should fail on the way down there are two springs at the bottom to catch it: Manitou Springs and Colorado Springs

 

[wdwfam]

I have to agree with riding the Cog. Family loved it, and 30 minutes on top is plenty. The altitude gave me a migraine, and I was more than ready to head back down the mountain.

 

[Aristocath]

We drove it and I would not recommend it. I was such a basket case by the time we got to the top I could not really enjoy the view because I was so worried about the trip down. And I wasn't even the one driving!

Next time we are totally taking the cog railway or I'm getting a prescription for Valium.

 

[Mrs.Toad]

We've only driven it. It's not a big deal to us, but we do a lot of mountain driving. You do have to keep your car in low gear all the way down, though. If you use your brakes to keep your speed down, you risk overheating them, even if you're just coasting and never touch the gas pedal. We like being on our own time schedule and being able to stop and get out at the scenic overlooks along the way.

We looked into the cog railway once, but the morning tickets were sold out by the time we looked the day before or so. You want to go up in the morning, when you have less clouds. Though looking down on the clouds from the top is pretty cool, too.

 

[momrek06]

We drove it and I would not recommend it. I was such a basket case by the time we got to the top I could not really enjoy the view because I was so worried about the trip down. And I wasn't even the one driving!

Next time we are totally taking the cog railway or I'm getting a prescription for Valium.

OMG! ITA with this post! We drove and it was so freaking scary I wanted to jump out of the van. We were there on vacation and several family members opted out early in the drive. I wanted to continue with DH and our kids.
We did make it but next time I am taking the Cog for sure!

 

[czycropper]

The railway. The first time we went, my DH drove & I sat in the passenger seat in a mini-van - I vowed never again! It scared the lights out of me when you look out the window & down and all you see is a cliff but the sights once you're up there are breathtaking!

 

[FoundMyPrince]

We took the railway in March 2010. It was wonderful, but due to deep, deep snow drifts we could only go up to a certain point (there were 30 foot drifts at the top). Very pretty!

 

[Squirlz]

Drive!