The train began taking passengers up the steeply-angled mountain track again this May.ĭuring a recent stop at the summit, conductor Steve Huber said it was a relief to see the train operating again. The Broadmoor Hotel, a luxury resort in Colorado Springs, owns the Pikes Peak Cog Railway and put $100 million into renovating the historic attraction. Long said her office broadly expects tourism this year to the Pikes Peak region to be up 35 or 40 percent over 2020, though their current projections based on sales tax collections predict still slightly less tourism money coming in compared with 2019. It’s not yet clear if enthusiasm for travel in light of easing COVID-19 restrictions will bring in the million or more summit visitors seen in a typical year. Temperatures at the peak can often be 30 or 40 degrees colder than those at the base of the mountain. Hart Van Denburg/CPR News Visitors step out onto the platform of the 14,115 feet summit of Pikes Peak, Tuesday, June 8, 2021.Ĭrews on the two immensely complex projects, both years in the making, had to contend with regular construction delays resulting from extreme weather conditions on the 14-thousand foot summit. Hart Van Denburg/CPR News The Broadmoor Manitou and Pikes Peak Cog Railway, Tuesday, June 8, 2021. Hart Van Denburg/CPR News Shu Schiller, at left, talks with conductors David Van gamble, center, and Carolyn Given, right, aboard the 9-mile ride aboard the Broadmoor Manitou and Pikes Peak Cog Railway to the 14,115 feet summit of Pikes Peak, Tuesday, June 8, 2021. “It almost feels like a miracle that they came together at the same time,” said Amy Long, chief innovation officer for Visit Colorado Springs, a local nonprofit focused on tourism marketing. Local boosters hope the two attractions combined with a post-lockdown nation eager to travel will add up to a return to normal for regional tourism. But now, riders can soon ride the train again, and just in time: A brand new, $65 million Summit House Complex at the top of America’s Mountain is set to open next week. With the Grand Re-opening timed with summer travelers, be sure to reserve your tickets well in advance.If you wanted to take a train to the top of Pikes Peak, for the last three years, you haven’t been able to. Masks are currently required on the train. You can also utilize the free shuttle from Hiawatha Gardens to the depot with Manitou Incline 9) Wear a mask Paid parking is available across the street from the depot, but plan for extra time to arrive due to construction and traffic in Manitou Springs. Stay hydrated for your trip to the summit of a Colorado “14er” as you may feel the effects of the altitude at the peak. Alternatively, on the “2 seat side” you get views of the waterfalls in the early portion on the climb and have a better chance of sighting Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep, deer, and yellow-bellied marmots. I recommend choosing window seats on the “3 seat side” of the train for stunning views of Inspiration Point. If you purchase Reserved Admission Tickets, you will be able to pick your seats at the time of your reservation. Listen for the horn sounding and remember to sync your watches as the railway will return down the mountain on schedule (approximately 40 minutes after arriving, but the conductor will tell you the exact time). Check the weather in advance and bring warm clothing regardless of the season. Plan for all four seasons at the top of Pikes Peak, and specifically plan for colder weather and wind! We rode in early June and it snowed while we were at the top. Go to the restroom before boarding the train as there is not a potty on the railway. While I can’t yet report on the amenities at the Visitor’s Center (although I hear there will still be donuts!!), I was glad that my backpack was stocked with snacks and water for the ride and summit since it is about a 3-hour experience. 10 TIPS FOR THE BROADMOOR MANITOU AND PIKES PEAK COG RAILWAY 1) Bring Snacks!
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