Pikes Peak

Our Visit to Pikes Peak was via a Train on the cog railroad.  It took us up the 8 mile track with a 25 % grade.  The Summit is 14,115 feet above sea level.  We were advised to sip water on the way up to ease the affects of the altitude extreme.  We did that but were still shocked at dizziness and shortness of breath we experienced.  We were on the mountain about an hour and the effects lasted about half of that time for us.  It was incredible the distance you can see from up there. 

 We were up with the clouds and it was said that John kissed an angel named Kay while he was up there.

The temperature change from bottom to top was 30 degrees different. 

There are no trees after 10,700 to 11,600 feet above sea level depending on the angle of the sun to the slop.  

The tree-line is where the trees stop thriving do to the permafrost.   The permafrost prevents the roots from growing deep enough for the necessary structural support.

The leafs are beginning to change.

The train runs year around and during the winter it has a snow blower that runs ahead of it.  Often it take dynamite to break up the drifts before it can even be moved. They continue to the top unless it becomes impassable.