Pikes Peak

Rising 7,800 ft above Manitou Springs, Pikes Peak has the highest elevation gain of all Colorado's fourteeners, is one of two fourteeners with a road to the top (Mount Evans is the other), and is the only fourteener with a railway to its summit. Despite this massive elevation gain and largely due to the road, thousands of people step foot atop Pikes each year by running, cycling, driving, riding, and hiking up the mountain. 

Once called El Capitán by Spanish settlers, Pikes Peak has a deep and varied history. Notable events include an expedition by Zebulon Pike, Jr., the Colorado Gold Rush (Pike's Peak or Bust!), providing inspiration for America the Beautiful, and serving as the site of a military research facility. Today, Pikes is home to several visitor centers, a gift shop, and an old Cog Railway. There are many yearly events that take place on the road up to the summit and Barr Trail, ranging from marathons to bike races. 

So what constitutes truly summitting Pikes Peak? To me, it is ascending it under your own power - so hiking from the bottom to the top. The best way to do that is by hiking up Barr Trail, which is one of the best maintained trails in Colorado. Barr Trail rises over 7,400 ft from the Manitou Springs trailhead and has two shelters along the way: Barr Camp and an A-frame. 

Pikes Peak - 14,110 ft.