Getting higher and higher.
Looking back at Lake Moraine.
We were now above the tree line as we continued to climb the grade to the summit of Pikes Peak.
Nearing the saddle.
Views from the saddle.
Rocks, rocks and more rocks.
Lake Moraine
The train that has been following us to the top of Pikes Peak.
The remains of a snow bank.
The other train was still behind us.
Climbing higher and higher.
The views became better and better.
That train behind was getting ever closer.
Still climbing.
Still behind us.
The Pike Peak toll road came into view.
It is a long way down. The crew asked us to close the windows so I did not take any more pictures until after the train had arrived at the summit of Pikes Peak at 14,115 feet. Here we all detrained for thirty minutes.
The end of the track at Pikes Pike.
The two trainsets.
Summit House.
The switch.
Looking from the north to the southeast off Pikes Peak. I walked over for a different view.
Southeast to northwest, with the mine at Victor pictured.
This motorcyclist was proud that he made it up the Pikes Peak toll road to the summit.
Views from the North to the northwest.
The north side of Pikes Peak was really steep.
The Pikes Peak sign.
Proof I made it to the top of Pikes Peak.
The trains at the summit.
The end of track.
The tracks looking up and down.
One last picture before I reboarded. The lady across from me discovered she had lost her camera bag with all of her memory sticks from her family vacation but about the time we were to leave, the conductor made an announcement and one passenger said it was over on the top of the wall of the lookout point. She made a quick run at 14,115 ft and retrieved her camera bag and upon her return, was given a round of applause.
The summit of Pikes Peak, after which we departed with everyone aboard and I would enjoy the ride down the grade and relax.
The train ahead of us heading down the grade off the mountain.
Five trains at Windy Point, four passengers and one work train.
The train ahead of us heading down the Big Hill.
The train ahead on that long straight track.
At Minnehaha, we went through the siding and met two more trains on their way north.
Rock formations abound. We returned us to Manitou Springs, ending a fantastic trip on the Pikes Peak Cog Railroad. I drove back to Denver and checked in at the La Quinta Inn, filled the rental car and returned it to Enterprise then walked over to Denver Union Station and picked up my tickets for the New Year's trip to La Plata and found out where the bus for Raton leaves in the morning. With that done, I walked back to the hotel in a thunderstorm and spent the rest of the day writing stories.
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