Ahmet Erkun

A Mountain of Many Names!

The Utes knew it as Tava-KaavÌ (Sun Mountain) … the Pawnee knew it as Tûs Pêh (Where the Heavens Touch the Earth) … the Jicarilla Apache knew it as Ya ta ye’ It si’ (Mountain Touching Heaven) … the Arapaho knew it as Heey-otoyoo (The Long Mountain).

When they came through the area in the late 1700s, Spaniards called the mountain El Capitán. When he spotted it in 1806, Zebulon Pike called it the Grand Peak. In 1820, the mountain was renamed James Peak … in honor of botanist Dr Edwin James … to whom the first ascent of the mountain is attributed.

Today, we know this mountain of many names as Pikes Peak … named as such during the 1850s to honor Zebulon Pike. Pike never ascended the mountain that bears his name. He merely saw it from the top of another mountain — thought to be Mt Rosa … some 100 miles away. In fact, when he first spotted the mountain, he thought it was “a small blue cloud.” It was only when he got “closer” that he appreciated the mountain for the giant that it is.

Pikes Peak is number 30 of Colorado’s 53 “fourteeners” … mountains that are in the 14,000-foot plus range. Part of the 300-mile long Front Range of the Rocky Mountains, it has another moniker by which it is known — America’s Mountain … an inspiration for USA’s unofficial national anthem, “America the Beautiful.

Today was our third time visiting Pikes Peak … but the first time since the new visitor center opened in 2021. Unlike back in the day when visitors had to hike up, ride burros or horse-drawn carriages, we drove the 19-mile road that was constructed in 1915 … a toll road that requires an advance reservation to secure parking at the top. We opted for the 8-10a window. Early, but a good choice. By the time we left around noon, the summit was hopping!

Another time — perhaps next winter — we’ll ride the cog railway (built in 1891) for a different perspective of the scenery. But today, we simply enjoyed the stops along the road that were familiar to us … but amazing, nonetheless.

We knew it would be cold when we reached the summit. No worries. We were there to escape the heat … forecasted to reach into the 90F range in the city. Besides, as Colorado residents, we always carry winter gear in the trunk of our car. The parkas came in handy as we were at the top well before today’s Pikes Peak high temp of 48F was reached … + windchill … only slightly mitigated by the sun shining bright in the cloudless blue sky.

The summit of Pikes Peak is at 14,115 feet. At that elevation, there’s only 60% of the oxygen that is available at sea level. Since we live at a little over 7,000 feet, we’re used to operating with less oxygen … maybe 75-80%. Nonetheless, the difference in oxygen level at the summit immediately made itself noticeable. The solution? Take it slow and easy.

We had a quick breakfast … packed from home; wandered around the visitor center terraces and interpretive boardwalk; checked out the amazing views from the different vantage points; enjoyed a close encounter with a yellow-bellied marmot; watched the cog rail arrive and depart … packed to the gills in both directions; and explored the exhibits at the small but interesting museum.

Oh, and of course, we treated ourselves to “Donuts in the Sky.” These donuts are said to be scientifically crafted. Technically, that means that a special recipe is used. After all, at 14,115 feet, the air is thinner and the water has a lower boiling point … some adjustments are bound to be needed. Fluffiest, tastiest cake donuts that we’ve had anywhere … we opted for the cinnamon sugar variety.

An excellent visit to America’s Mountain … and our local fourteeener.

[More photos from today at this link … https://eenusa.smugmug.com/North-America-US-Can….]

[Photos from June 2015 … with snow on the ground … https://eenusa.smugmug.com/WeGoA-Rollin/Fulltim….]

[Footprint from the December 2019 family visit to the summit … with even more snow on the ground … https://findpenguins.com/8pccjefaitoru/footprin….]Read more