Elk Park to Barr Camp to Pikes Peak Summit
4 July
2007
Route Map *
Route Description
Elk Park to Barr Camp to the summit of Pikes Peak is a great training run for the Pikes Peak Ascent. The route allows you to work the upper half of Barr Trail without having to run all the way up to Barr Camp from Manitou Springs.
Getting To Elk Park
The route starts at Elk Park which is just above Glen Cove on the Pikes Peak Highway. During the summer the Pikes Peak Highway opens at 7:00 am and it takes about 30 minutes to drive up to Elk Park. From Glen Gove (the break checking station) drive just under a mile up the road. While heading east look for an open gate (red this summer) on the left (south) side of the road. If you switch back to the west, you've gone too far. As you cross the road toward the open gate, it looks like you might drive off the mountain, but a short dirt spur road appears that leads down the hill to Elk Park. While a bit rough, passenger cars should be able to navigate this segment. The Elk Park trailhead is on the east side of the lowest point along the spur.
Elk Park to Barr Camp (5.4 mi, 1600 foot descent)
This is a wonderful section of trail! According to my GPS, it is 5.4 miles from the trailhead at Elk Park to Barr Camp with a gradual elevation loss of about 1600 feet. The trail is easy to follow (if not covered with snow). It begins above tree line and traverses south across a steep rocky slope, but tree line comes quickly. Once in the trees, and below an initial rocky section, the trail gets really nice - soft and scenic. You pass one marked intersection where the left branch continues to Barr Camp and the right branch leads up to the Oil Creek Tunnel. Shortly after that you cross the North Folk of French Creek which required a short hop for me. The trail climbs a bit before you reach a small open park. After the park you descend and cross the South Fork of French Creek on a log bridge. You climb a bit above the creek and then reach Barr Camp soon after. The Elk Park Trail joins Barr Trail about 20 yards above Barr Camp, but you'll see Barr Camp before you reach Barr Trail. Jogging at a comfortable pace, it takes me a little under an hour to reach Barr Camp from Elk Park. Of note, Barr Camp has very nice composting restrooms in addition to food and drink for sale.
Barr Camp to Pikes Peak Summit (5.8 mi, 3910 foot ascent)
This section of Barr Trail is the primary objective of the many runners who use Elk Park Trail. It's a tough 5.8 miles and gets tougher the further you go. It takes me a little under 2 hours to jog/hike fast from Barr Camp to the summit. Expect the last mile to take a lot longer than the first mile. Times will vary greatly depending on conditioning and possibly weather. Make sure you carry water and rain gear. Sunscreen is a good idea. If you're actually jogging and hiking fast, starting at Elk Park by 8:00 am should get you to the summit before summer storms. Of note, there are restrooms and lots of food (and everything else) for sale at the Summit House.
Pikes Peak Summit to Elk Park
There is no easy hike from the summit back down to Elk Park and you are not allowed to hike on the road. Most runners either hitch a ride from a tourist back down to Elk Park (I've done this several times) or pre-arrange to get picked up on top.