Top 12 Amazing Fun Facts About Pikes Peak: Uncover the Surprising Secrets of America's Mountain!

1. Superman's Multistate Vision

Ever wondered what it would be like to have superman's vision without needing to wear the cape? Well, Pikes Peak lets you witness that incredible sight while standing firmly on land: At the summit of this magnificent mountain, visitors are able to see up to five different states on a clear day, making it perfect for fans of multitasking and commanding views.
Source => homework.study.com

2. Oxygen Deprivation Showdown

Forgive me for being a little peaky, but did you know that taking a lungful of air on Pikes Peak is like trying to breathe in the same amount of oxygen on Mount Quandary? Here's the real gas: At 14,115 feet above sea level, Pikes Peak in Colorado provides about 41 to 42% less oxygen than you'd have at sea level, which is quite a bit more than the utterly breathless 67% less oxygen available at Mount Everest's summit.
Source => koaa.com

Did you know that the American pika, a small mountain-dwelling creature, has an ear-piercing shriek as its superpower? Discover how this fuzzy critter thrives in the extreme conditions of the Rocky Mountains and the challenges it faces due to climate change. 🏔️🐾

=> Fun Facts about The-Rocky-Mountains

3. Cars' Ultimate Uphill Challenge

When cars yearn to reach new heights, Pikes Peak is their Everest: Home to the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, this esteemed motorsports race has been testing vehicles' limits since 1916, with time-outs only during World War I and II.
Source => ppihc.org

4. "America the Beautiful" Birthplace

Cue the patriotic tunes and break out the purple crayons: Pikes Peak, that rocky beacon of America's playground, was the muse behind Katharine Lee Bates' "America the Beautiful." Her 1893 visit to the majestic mountaintop gifted her gobsmacked gaze with sea-like expanses and purple mountain majesties, ultimately inspiring the creation of one of the nation's most beloved patriotic anthems after a cross-country journey.
Source => nps.gov

5. The Vertigo Avenger

If Pikes Peak were a superhero, it would be named "The Vertigo Avenger" due to its jaw-dropping vertical escapades, casually throwing lightning bolts at mere mortals: This Colorado titan is the highest point in El Paso county and boasts a staggering 7400 feet of vertical gain, making it a mountain to be conquered and respected. And, as a bonus bit of trivia, it inspired Katherine Lee Bates to pen "America the Beautiful" at its summit, truly capturing its star-spangled appeal.
Source => summitpost.org

6. Summiting by Car, Rail, or Trail

While donkeys may bray "nay" and hiking enthusiasts put their best foot (and calf muscles) to the test, these mountains don't (Pikes) Peak everyone's interest: Pikes Peak is one of two 14ers in Colorado summited by car, with its summit reached only via two rugged trails, Barr and Crags, or by Cog Railway and the breathtaking Pikes Peak Highway open year-round.
Source => uncovercolorado.com

7. Extraordinary Cog Train Feats

Ready to feel on top of the world by channeling your inner Thomas the Tank Engine on steroids? All aboard the Most Remarkable Cog Train Ever: The Pikes Peak Cog Train ascends over 12,000 feet to the summit, as the highest and longest cog train on this spinning rock we call home, boasting a toothed central rail system that laughs in the face of a 25% grade climb, putting ordinary trains' measly 4 to 6% grades to utter shame.
Source => thrillist.com

8. From James Peak to Pikes Peak

Before Zebulon Pike could peak, he had to take a backseat to good ol' James: Pike's Peak was originally known as "James Peak" for a cool fourteen years before its name changed to honor explorer Zebulon Pike. It wasn't until gold was discovered in the late 1850s that "Pike’s Peak or Bust" became a popular catchphrase among fortune seekers heading westward in Colorado.
Source => coloradovirtuallibrary.org

9. High-Altitude Donuts & History

When you're feeling peckish at high altitude, don't worry—the mountain's got you covered with its "Rocky Mountain High" munchies: Pikes Peak Summit House is not only a National Historic Landmark, but it also offers visitors delectable high-altitude donuts, a trail mix bar, engaging exhibits on its history and geography, and attracts over 750,000 guests each year through various hiking trails, the Pikes Peak Cog Railway, or a scenic drive.
Source => thrillist.com

10. Penny-Pushing Altitude Battle

Just like pushing a penny up a hill with your nose, climbing Pikes Peak can be an uphill battle (minus the nose woes): Hosting an altitude of 14,110 feet, this Coloradan colossus features the Pikes Peak Cog Railway, which scales a whopping 25% grade using a unique "rack" rail system, showcasing stunning Bristlecone pines and wildflowers, and ultimately inspiring Katharine Lee Bates to pen the poem that became the patriotic song "America the Beautiful."
Source => jacidawn.com

11. Fast & Furiously Paved Makeover

In a twist worthy of a Hollywood blockbuster, the Fast and the Furiously Paved transformed Pikes Peak International Hill Climb from a dirt-and-asphalt hybrid to a blacktop beauty queen: Following a lawsuit by the Sierra Club in 2011, the famous race course now features full pavement from start to finish, with the last dirt sections bowing out and making up roughly 25% of that year's route.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

12. Zebulon's "Grand Peak" Reveal

Hold onto your hats, history buffs, because the name game is getting a plot twist: Zebulon Pike never actually called the peak he discovered "Pike's Peak." Instead, his journal and maps referred to it as "Grand Peak" or "Highest Peak,” and he even humbly acknowledged that he wasn't the first American to lay eyes on it, giving a shoutout to James Purcell's earlier expedition!
Source => 14ers.com