Pikes Peak Recommendations

Drive it urself. It ain’t that bad

I've driven it in the snow up to where the road was closed with a snow plow. It's not that bad

It's been over a year since I've driven to the summit, but it was under construction and only a select few were allowed to park at the summit. Most vehicles had to stop around mile 13 and take a shuttle the rest of the way. Also be sure to call the 800 number to check conditions before heading there, depending on wind they'll shut down summit access.

I've also taken the cog train to the summit several years ago. Both options provide unique views, but I prefer to drive it. I like driving and I like being able to stop along the route to take it in.

If you do drive it, the drive up is easy. On the way down you'll need to be in a low gear for the first portion of the descent. They'll be a ranger that checks your brake temperature after a bit. If they're too hot (which they shouldn't be if you stayed in a low gear and not riding the brakes), you'll have to pull off until they cool down.

Do you want to make sure you get to the summit or not?

As others have alluded to, the road isn't always open all the way during winter. No guarantees in April.

The only way to be sure you get to the summit is the COG, which claims to run to the top everyday no matter what.

I drove it in a Honda Accord with no issue. Used low gears, as said above, to avoid overheating brakes on the way down. Watch a few videos of the guys who race up it to gain some confidence.

On the other hand, thank goodness Mount Washington in NH was closed to all but motorcycles (Laconia bike rally was happening) and a shuttle van when we went. Just riding in the van scared the hell out of me. I couldn’t imagine driving up and meeting cars that were going down on that narrow arse road.

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You can do it! It was white knuckle driving doing it alone, but if you have family with you I think that will help.

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It makes you less nervous to envision taking everyone with you if you plunge off a 14,000 foot mountain, than envisioning doing it alone?

Like others have said, drive it yourself... There are only a handful of places where its narrow and you're on an edge. Everything else is just like regular winding country road driving.

If you don't know how to drive using the transmission to regulate speed, start practicing. You can't rely on brakes the entire way down.