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| BARR TRAIL INFORMATION |
Distance from Trailhead to Barr Camp: 6.8 miles
Distance from Barr Camp to Summit: 5.8 miles
Total distance from Trailhead to Summit: 12.6 miles
- Trailhead elevation: 6,600 feet
- Barr Camp Elevation: 10,200 feet
- Summit Elevation: 14,110 feet
- Total Elevation Gain from Trailhead to Summit: 7,510 feet
The standard route to Barr Camp is a 6.8 mile hike up Barr trail. The total Trail to the summit is 12.6 miles, and is non-technical.
It begins at 6,600 feet, and summits at 14,110 feet at the Top of Pikes Peak. Barr Camp is staffed year-round.
Those looking for a less arduous ascent, take the Cog Railway to Mount View (the train runs late-April through early-November).
The Mount View trail is not as steep, and requires only a one and a half mile traverse hike to Barr Camp.
Water may not be readily available. Filter or treat water before drinking from mountain streams.
Bring and drink plenty of water to help avoid many physical complications, especially in the winter.
Good Maps to purchase:
Trails Illustrated Pikes Peak # 137 $10.00
USGS Topo Pikes Peak Quad $5.00
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| DIRECTIONS TO BARR TRAILHEAD |
In Colorado Springs, take I-25 to Highway 24 exit. Head West on Highway 24 to the Manitou Ave. exit (4 miles).
From the off-ramp, veer right and drive into Manitou Springs. Once in town, look for the Cog Railway sign, and turn left onto Ruxton Ave
(1.5 miles). Follow Ruxton all the way to where it ends at the Cog Railway (.7 miles). Hikers using Barr Trail should drive past the
Railway building, and turn at the sign labeled "Barr Trail Parking", up a short little steep road (Hydro Street) to the gravel parking lot (.2 miles).
Due to limited parking space available at the Pikes Peak Cog Railway, it is essential that day-hikers and overnight guests always park in
the Barr Trail parking lot. If you do park in the Cog Railway Parking lot, your vehicle will most likely be towed.
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| BARR TRAIL CONDITIONS |
Because trail conditions vary day-by-day, and the difficulty in communications from
our remote location, we do not have the ability to give out any current trail
conditions. Please check the local weather, and be
prepared for anything. We have included some general information to be used only
as a general guide.
Spring (April and May)
Trail completely depends on the current snowpack and snowfall. Seasons can vary from year to year. Look for and be prepared for anything. Above treeline can be icy or slushy. Crampons, or Snowshoes, and an Ice Axe may be advisable. Heavy Snows are common in the Spring, particularly March and April.
Summer (June through August)
Conditions are usually dry. Thunderstorms above treeline in the afternoon are common. Snowpack can stay above timberline through June.
Fall (September and October)
Conditions vary from year to year. Generally clear and dry to treeline. Above treeline varies with snow conditions. Thunderstorms or snow possible.
Winter (November through March):
Conditions usually icy and snowpacked. Above Barr Camp often unconsolidated and deep. Above treeline, windblown, hardpack, or post-holing conditions may exist. Crampons, or Snowshoes, and an Ice Axe are usually recommended.
As the saying goes, "This is Colorado . . . . if you don't like the weather, stick around for an hour." Weather forecasting in Colorado is an oxymoron. Because of this, we do not have the ability to give out current weather reports, or the ability to "best guess" a forecast. We have included some great links to some weather sites that might help you plan your trip out.
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