Twins in America - Pikes Peak

twins Johnson and Grace enjoying the altitude on Pikes Peak

The most visited mountain in North America and the second most visited mountain in the world behind Japan's Mount Fuji, Pikes Peak forms a stunning backdrop for Colorado Springs and the Garden of the Gods. At an altitude of 14,110 feet, it is just the 31st highest peak in Colorado but as its eastern-most high peak mountain, it is perhaps the most recognizable.

Over a half million people reach the Summit House every year by the Pikes Peak Highway, Barr Trail or the Pikes Peak Cog Railway. The 19-mile Pikes Peak Highway, paved part of the way, is open year round, weather permitting. About 15,000 people a year attempt to climb Pikes Peak on foot. In addition to the Summit House, there are several gift shops on Pikes Peak. More information and maps are available on the Visit Pikes Peak web site.

By the way, the peak is named for Zebulon Pike, who led the first nonnative attempt on the summit in 1806 - a climb which left him short of the peak and to which he said, "I believed no human being could have ascended to its pinical (sic)." More lore about the peak is that it inspired Katherine Lee Bates to write America the Beautiful after she took a wagon ride to its peak in 1895.