Monday, September 13, 2010
On Top of Pikes Peak
Despite an elevation of 14,110 feet (4.3 km), there is some civilization on top of Pikes Peak.
As far back as 1873, before Colorado was even a state, enough people were getting to the top to make it worth building a summit house. One wall is still standing.
Now, between the road and the railway, there's an entire building with tourist stuff to buy, including fudge and hot drinks. Believe it or not, this final photo of today's post was taken on the top of the mountain!
For more views of the world, visit My World Tuesday.
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Oh no, a gift shop on Pike's Peak??
ReplyDeleteWell, the rest of it is still beautiful. :)
Back around 1956 my big brother drove us to Colorado from Chicago, to see real mountains. I think I remember vending machines selling little doses of oxygen up about 14,000 feet!
Thanks for the memory-jogging photos, Al.
that gift shop looks really nice. one couldn't come away without something to show for their trip. i simply love that ceiling. great photos. have a wonderful day.
ReplyDeleteCiao Al :)
ReplyDeletein questo negozio mi piacerebbe molto poter girare per comperare cose !
Ciao :)
What a coincidence. We both have Pikes Peak this time.
ReplyDeleteI have been to the gift shop as many times I have been to the top but never noticed the ceiling. Beautiful capture.
Marvelous captures as always, Al! And what a gift shop!! Have a great week!
ReplyDeleteSylvia
What a gorgeous place. Look at the thickness of the walls of that summer cottage!
ReplyDeleteGreat view and wonderful photos. Thanks for sharing your adventure with us.
ReplyDeletePersonally I prefer nature without a tourist Mecca on top! Great shots though of the desecration of a perfectly good mountain otherwise. What a let down to make it to the top on your bar of chocolate and bottle of water to find THAT!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful high in the sky gift shop
ReplyDeleteNot possible in Scotland, due to the sort of ownership of mountains we have. But there's plenty of tourist tat at the bottom of the hill.
ReplyDeletePikes Peak or bust, eh? I'm glad there's a monument there but I'm not so sure about the shop. LOL
ReplyDeletewow, sure is great to climb up there ---- to shop :D
ReplyDeletehave a great week.
that's really impressive and a huge incentive for somebody who'd be feeling tired and weary on the way up. The view must have been spectacular from there too.
ReplyDeleteIt's sad that I've lived in Colorado for 59+ years and have never been up to the top of Pike's Peak. Is it still a toll road? I wouldn't have enough O2 to shop at 14,000 feet. ♥♫
ReplyDeleteHi Al, I rode the cog once long ago and had hot chocolate at the top. It was in May and there was still enough snow for some skiers to backcountry down. I like your Sand Dunes Header. We will stop by there in Oct on our way home from Albuquerque.
ReplyDeleteThis is so interesting. Love the tin ceiling in the gift shop!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing these beautiful photos
ReplyDeleteHave a nice week,
Greetings, Bram
My Word Tuesday post
Seen on My World Tuesday
Congrats Al...!
ReplyDeleteVery interesting... I always enjoy being on the top of the mount...
:)
On the top of a very high mountain! An old and beautiful stone buildning! :)
ReplyDeleteMarvellous history. I love the ceiling in the tourist shop.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great joy it must have been being able to breath such air ! Please have a wonderful Wednesday.
ReplyDeletedaily athens
Amazing!! The gift shop is very nice, but I love the shot of the remaining summit house wall.
ReplyDeleteQuite a nice looking place at that high....
ReplyDeletePixellicious Photos
That looks like a very Big tourist trap. Is that a tin ceiling?
ReplyDeleteThe shop looks a lot bigger than I remember! I must admit that the hot chocolate was a nice touch as we stood in the snow on top.
ReplyDelete