ADVENTURES

NEWS

FEATURES

EVENTS

PODCAST

store

7 mountain-top buildings to hike to around Colorado

By March 5, 2021 | updated 5 years ago

1. Pikes Peak Summit ComplexComing spring 2021, the Pikes Peak Summit Complex will be the newest mountaintop building to visit in Colorado. Choose to endure a 14-mile (one-way) trek up Barr Trail or a 7-mile hike (one-way) via Crags Trail or opt to take a leisurely, yet exhilarating, drive up the Pikes Peak Highway from Cascade. Another summit-reaching option come summer will be the soon-to-open cog railway from Manitou Springs.Author’s Note: Due to the Summit Complex construction, a detour on Barr Trail is in place until further notice that adds nearly 1 mile to the original length of the trail.A rendering of the dining terrace of the new Pikes Peak Summit House. Photo courtesy RTA Architects and GWWO Inc./Architects.

Take a hike to a mountain shelter, a summit house, and several fire lookout towers in Colorado.

1. Pikes Peak Summit ComplexComing spring 2021, the Pikes Peak Summit Complex will be the newest mountaintop building to visit in Colorado. Choose to endure a 14-mile (one-way) trek up Barr Trail or a 7-mile hike (one-way) via Crags Trail or opt to take a leisurely, yet exhilarating, drive up the Pikes Peak Highway from Cascade. Another summit-reaching option come summer will be the soon-to-open cog railway from Manitou Springs.Author’s Note: Due to the Summit Complex construction, a detour on Barr Trail is in place until further notice that adds nearly 1 mile to the original length of the trail.A rendering of the dining terrace of the new Pikes Peak Summit House. Photo courtesy RTA Architects and GWWO Inc./Architects.
1. Pikes Peak Summit ComplexComing spring 2021, the Pikes Peak Summit Complex will be the newest mountaintop building to visit in Colorado. Choose to endure a 14-mile (one-way) trek up Barr Trail or a 7-mile hike (one-way) via Crags Trail or opt to take a leisurely, yet exhilarating, drive up the Pikes Peak Highway from Cascade. Another summit-reaching option come summer will be the soon-to-open cog railway from Manitou Springs.Author’s Note: Due to the Summit Complex construction, a detour on Barr Trail is in place until further notice that adds nearly 1 mile to the original length of the trail.A rendering of the dining terrace of the new Pikes Peak Summit House. Photo courtesy RTA Architects and GWWO Inc./Architects.
2. Hahn’s Peak Lookout TowerThe Hahn’s Peak Lookout Tower is a great beginner hike that offers expansive views of the Steamboat Springs area, including Steamboat Lake. The hike is about four miles one-way and reaches 10,839 feet above sea level, ending at a historic tower that was built in 1912 in order to spot fires in the wilderness.Photo Credit: bigfuzzyjesus (wikimedia commons).
2. Hahn’s Peak Lookout TowerThe Hahn’s Peak Lookout Tower is a great beginner hike that offers expansive views of the Steamboat Springs area, including Steamboat Lake. The hike is about four miles one-way and reaches 10,839 feet above sea level, ending at a historic tower that was built in 1912 in order to spot fires in the wilderness.Photo Credit: bigfuzzyjesus (wikimedia commons).
3. Devil’s Head LookoutPanoramic views of the Rocky Mountains await from the Devil’s Head Lookout in Sedalia, including Pikes Peak on a clear day. The approximately 1.5-mile trail is very steep up 143 steps to the lookout at 9,748 feet above sea level.Author’s Note: Due to safety concerns, the stairs and lookout tower are closed to visitation. The trail is still open, but the staircase to the top of the tower is not. Rampart Range Road is typically closed during winter and early spring.Photo Credit: Spencer McKee OutThere Colorado.
3. Devil’s Head LookoutPanoramic views of the Rocky Mountains await from the Devil’s Head Lookout in Sedalia, including Pikes Peak on a clear day. The approximately 1.5-mile trail is very steep up 143 steps to the lookout at 9,748 feet above sea level.Author’s Note: Due to safety concerns, the stairs and lookout tower are closed to visitation. The trail is still open, but the staircase to the top of the tower is not. Rampart Range Road is typically closed during winter and early spring.Photo Credit: Spencer McKee OutThere Colorado.
4. Notch Mountain ShelterThe Notch Mountain Shelter, resting at 13,100 feet above sea level, was built in 1924 to accommodate the hundreds of people who hiked annual pilgrimages to view Mt. of the Holy Cross. However, the trek to the Notch Mountain summit isn’t for the faint of heart. With a rough dirt road to the trailhead, rocky switchbacks, and a roundtrip total of about 20 miles, Notch Mountain Trail should be used by experienced hikers.Author’s Note: Overnight use of the shelter is prohibited.Photo Credit: ilbusca (iStock). (ilbusca)
4. Notch Mountain ShelterThe Notch Mountain Shelter, resting at 13,100 feet above sea level, was built in 1924 to accommodate the hundreds of people who hiked annual pilgrimages to view Mt. of the Holy Cross. However, the trek to the Notch Mountain summit isn’t for the faint of heart. With a rough dirt road to the trailhead, rocky switchbacks, and a roundtrip total of about 20 miles, Notch Mountain Trail should be used by experienced hikers.Author’s Note: Overnight use of the shelter is prohibited.Photo Credit: ilbusca (iStock). (ilbusca)
5. Squaw Mountain Fire LookoutHike to the Squaw Mountain Fire Lookout in Evergreen for 360-degree views of the mountain landscape, including Mount Evans and Clear Creek County. This lookout is available for rent year-round and is an active communications site.Photo Credit: @eileen.kain (Instagram)
5. Squaw Mountain Fire LookoutHike to the Squaw Mountain Fire Lookout in Evergreen for 360-degree views of the mountain landscape, including Mount Evans and Clear Creek County. This lookout is available for rent year-round and is an active communications site.Photo Credit: @eileen.kain (Instagram)
6. Fairview Peak LookoutAdventure to the highest elevation fire lookout tower in North America via the 1.4-mile Fairview Park Trail. At 13,214 feet above sea level, the Fairview Peak Lookout was built in 1912 near Pitkin in the Gunnison National Forest.Photo Courtesy National Forest Service.
6. Fairview Peak LookoutAdventure to the highest elevation fire lookout tower in North America via the 1.4-mile Fairview Park Trail. At 13,214 feet above sea level, the Fairview Peak Lookout was built in 1912 near Pitkin in the Gunnison National Forest.Photo Courtesy National Forest Service.
7. Mount Evans Crest HouseThe ruins of Mount Evans Crest House still remain at the 14,120 foot-summit. The structure used to be a business structure during the construction of Mount Evans Scenic Byway, but was partially destroyed by a fire in 1979. The house served as a restaurant, gift shop, and tourist attraction.Photo Credit: Ken Gallager (Creative Commons).
7. Mount Evans Crest HouseThe ruins of Mount Evans Crest House still remain at the 14,120 foot-summit. The structure used to be a business structure during the construction of Mount Evans Scenic Byway, but was partially destroyed by a fire in 1979. The house served as a restaurant, gift shop, and tourist attraction.Photo Credit: Ken Gallager (Creative Commons).
These mountaintop buildings are located in very exposed areas on tops of mountains. Check the weather forecast before starting the hike in case of summer afternoon storms that can produce lightning. The buildings mentioned in this article are not always open to take shelter in. Practice Leave No Trace principles by packing out all trash, respecting and minimizing your impact on the environment.Photo Credit: Dougal Brownlie, The Gazette.
These mountaintop buildings are located in very exposed areas on tops of mountains. Check the weather forecast before starting the hike in case of summer afternoon storms that can produce lightning. The buildings mentioned in this article are not always open to take shelter in. Practice Leave No Trace principles by packing out all trash, respecting and minimizing your impact on the environment.Photo Credit: Dougal Brownlie, The Gazette.
Leslie James

Reporter

PREV

PREVIOUS

10 iconic mountain town restaurants in Colorado

There’s no better way to fully experience the mountain life of Colorado’s small towns than to visit restaurants where the locals eat after an outdoor adventure. Here are 10 iconic mountain town restaurants where visitors can indulge in local food and culture around Colorado. Editor’s Note: Be aware that some changes due to the COVID-19 […]

NEXT

NEXT UP

8 cabins to rent around Colorado for an epic mountain getaway

Here are eight places to rent a cabin for an epic mountain getaway in Colorado.
Welcome Back.

Streak: 9 days i

Stories you've missed since your last login:

Stories you've saved for later:

Recommended stories based on your interests:

Edit my interests