Families can once again travel to the top of Pikes Peak in style, following a major construction project of the Broadmoor Manitou and Pikes Peak Cog Railway.
What’s New and Improved
The cog railway has been operating since 1891, and has been owned by the Broadmoor since 1925. All the tracks have been replaced, and a new cog system has been installed. (For this system, cog wheels mesh into special rack rails, allowing the train to climb much steeper grades than a standard railroad track.) There are four refurbished trains and three brand-new trains with cushy seating, a new second-train platform, overhead walkway, remodeled bathrooms, and a gift shop.
During the Ride
In addition to spectacular mountain views during the nine-mile ride to 14,115 feet, the trains’ conductors point out sites of interest, offer history, and draw your attention to wildlife along the way. And they tell jokes, too.
The Pikes Peak Visitors Center
To give kids a better understanding of Pikes Peak history, geography, and climate, don’t miss the digital features and interactive exhibits in the new Pikes Peak Visitor’s Center, located at the summit. Also, make sure to try high-altitude donuts made from a special recipe by a “donut robot”—the only ones produced at an altitude above 14,000 feet in the world.
Tips for Young Rider
Purchase snacks at the depot to bring along and don’t forget jackets and/or layers. The summit can be 30 degrees cooler than the base and you might experience a wide range of weather conditions. Children age two and under are free with a paid adult admission ticket but must sit on an adult’s lap. The ride to the summit takes a little more than one hour; visitors spend 40 minutes at the top before traveling back down.
Purchase tickets in advance and find other details about the reopening at cograilway.com.
