Pikes Peak - One of our country’s national landmarks
Pikes Peak is a mountain range of the Rocky Mountains ten miles west of Colorado Springs, Colorado and is a National Historic Landmark. Pikes Peak is a visible landmark for many miles to the east, far into Colorado. When driving south on Interstate 25 towards Colorado Springs, the mountain can be seen from more than 130 miles away. The color is of pink, because of the pink granite of which it is made.
During the exploration of Colorado, many came to call the mountain Pikes Peak, after the first man who documented it, Zebulon Pike. Some people suggested that it should be named after Edwin James, the first man to climb it. Edwin James was a young student who had just graduated from a college in Vermont. He signed on as a relief botanist for the Long Expedition after the first botanist died. James and two other men climbed Pikes Peak in two days with little difficulty. Incidentally, along the way, James was the first to discover the blue columbine, which is Colorado’s state flower.
Gold was discovered in the are of Pikes Peak in 1858, and later in 1893 more was found in an old volcanic area on the western slope. Thus began the Colorado gold rush and later prompted the minting of gold coins in Denver.
Another notable piece of information regarding Pikes Peak involves one of our country’s most beloved songs. “America the Beautiful” was written by Katharine Lee Bates after traveling to the top of Pikes Peak in a carriage. She was so moved and inspired by the awesome sight and experience that she wrote the song.
Today there are several ways to go to the top of Pikes Peak. There is a railroad, a paved road for driving, and hiking, biking, and walking routes. Driving can be pretty treacherous, with many twists, turns, hills and slopes. However, regardless of how you get to the top, once you get there, you may not want to stay there for long. The thin air reduces the amount of oxygen to breathe and snow is possible any time of the day or night all year long. In the summer, thunderstorms are common with large hail, dangerous lightning and wind gusts that are occasionally over one hundred miles per hour.
If you plan to visit one of our country’s most beautiful national landmarks, do some research online for more information before making your travel plans.