Distance: 26.21 mi
Type: Out-and-back, Road/Trail
Difficulty: 10 / 10
More Info: Visit Web Site
Address: Triple Crown of Running, PO Box 38235, Colorado Springs, CO 80937
Filed Under: Running
Elevation gain (start to summit) is 7,815 feet (2,382 meters); the start is at 6,295? (1,918 m) and the summit is 14,110? (4,299m). Humidity generally is less than 15% (much less above 11,500?).
The races begin in front of City Hall in the center of Manitou Springs, a city of some 5,000 population which is located approximately 6 miles west of Colorado Springs, Colorado. While both races begin in the city (and the Marathon finishes in the city) the majority of both races are run on Barr Trail in Pike National Forest. Barr Trail is a US Forest Service trail that is on the east face of Pikes Peak and Mount Manitou; the race courses do not use any part of the famed Pikes Peak Highway (which is on the north and west flanks of the mountain). The trail is often narrow, winding, and may be gravel, rocks or dirt with sharp turns and abrupt changes in elevation or direction. However, there are no exposed ledges so there is no danger of falling off the trail!
From the Manitou Springs City Hall the races proceed west on Manitou Avenue for 0.43 miles to Ruxton Avenue. At Ruxton they turn west for 0.9 mile to (and past) the Cog Railway Depot. The initial 1.33 miles are on pavement and there is an elevation gain of approximately 400'. West of the depot (1.33 miles from the start) the asphalt ends and the course follows the original trail as it parallels Ruxton Creek for 0.35 mile (this section is now a gravel/dirt road; there is no vehicle access). At the end of the road there is a fenced area with a path adjacent to the north side of the fence. After some 35 yards of path beside the fence there is a trail (commonly referred to as the "spur") that connects to Barr Trail on the east face of Rocky Mountain*. From this point to the summit at 14,110 feet the course follows Barr Trail. The width of the trail will vary as will the grade (steepness) and surface (footing). *Author's note: Since the earliest days of the races, and to most residents of the Pikes Peak region, Rocky Mountain was (and continues to be) referred to as Mount Manitou. However, to be technically correct and to conform to the US Geological Service naming scheme (see map above), the race directors for 2002 have requested that references to Mount Manitou be replaced by Rocky Mountain.
From the end of the asphalt to the "top" of Rocky Mountain (some 2.8 miles) the elevation gain is roughly 2,100'. From there to Barr Camp, a distance of some 3.5 miles, the elevation gain is roughly 1,400'; this is the fastest section of the course and even includes a slight downhill section roughly 1.25 miles above French Creek. Barr Camp to the A-frame shelter at tree line is another 2.5 miles and 1,300' in elevation. From A-frame to the cirque, a distance of 2.1 miles, the elevation gain is 1,700. The final 1.1 mile from the Cirque to the summit at 14,110 feet gains roughly 900'.
The footing, or surface, of the trail does vary. In the forested sections it is primarily decomposed rock with a mixture of dirt and loose gravel on the surface with the occasional root or rock protrusion. Above tree line (that is, above the A-frame shelter) the trail is primarily loose gravel with one short section of broken rock (generally referred to as rubble) and the section known as the 16 Golden Stairs being gravel with frequent step-ups of some 12 to 22 inches (the Golden Stairs were so named as an allusion by Fred Barr, the man who made the original trail, to the golden stairs leading to Heaven). In general, the condition of Barr Trail is excellent thanks primarily to the efforts of Gail Allen, a volunteer who has been designated by the US Forest Service as the "Champion" of the trail. In addition to Gail's efforts there are those who have adopted a section of the trial and many other good folks who give of their time and effort throughout the year maintaining and improving the trail.
The course for the 26.21 mile Pikes Peak Marathon? covers the same route as the 13.32 mile Pikes Peak Ascent? race but returns down the trail from the summit and finishes at Ruxton and Manitou Avenues in Manitou Springs.
The starting line for both races is under the banner in the 600 block of Manitou Ave. in front of Memorial Park.
Parking is difficult so please plan your time accordingly. By 5 AM both Saturday and Sunday Manitou Avenue will be closed to all traffic 1/2 mile east of the start and 1/4 mile to the west. There is no parking on Manitou Avenue in the closed areas or between the start and Ruxton Ave. Parking is permitted on most other streets but observe the NO PARKING signs. Cars in violation of notices will be towed by MSPD!!
References and External Links
Posted by: merschel and last modified on Aug 17, 2006 by merschel
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