One way to ring in America’s Independence Day? By catching the sunrise atop America’s Mountain ー no long, hard hike required. 

The Pikes Peak Highway gates will open hours earlier July 4, giving drivers the chance to behold daybreak above 14,000 feet. Road-managing Pikes Peak-America’s Mountain has billed it a “truly magical” opportunity that is rarely offered.

The Broadmoor Manitou and Pikes Peak Cog Railway will also run early for the July 4 sunrise. Advance tickets online started at $99 at last check, with departure scheduled for 4:30 a.m.

Pikes Peak Highway drivers are encouraged to be at the gate by 4:15 a.m.; last entry is 6 a.m. And along with setting an early wake-up call, they will need to make a reservation online: Tickets for adults are $28 , $13 for kids ages 6-15, and a $2 timed-entry permit is also required. 

Other than the most luxurious train, shuttles will offer another option for anyone uncomfortable driving the steep, winding, 19-mile road.

Riders are instructed to arrive at least 15 minutes before the 4 a.m. departure from the nearby North Pole-Santa’s Workshop. Tickets are $50 for adults and $17 for kids ages 6-15.

Shuttles will leave about an hour after sunrise ー “giving guests plenty of time to explore, browse the gift shop and enjoy a famous high-altitude donut” from the Summit Visitor Center, reads the ticketing website. 

Also on July 4, Pikes Peak Highway will stay open later for drivers and shuttle riders to admire the sunset ー an even more uncommon occasion. 

The same reservations and pricing applies for drivers, who can head up from the entrance between 7-8 p.m., and for shuttle riders, who should arrive at the North Pole-Santa’s Workshop at least 15 minutes before the 6:45 p.m. departure.

Pikes Peak Highway is next scheduled to open for sunrise July 18. Sunrise and sunset viewings are slated for Aug. 1, followed by sunrise events Aug. 15 and Sept. 26. The cog railway is also booking sunrise trips for July 18 and Sept. 26.

The highway’s sunrise and sunset events are weather dependent. The reservoirs of North Slope Recreation Area will not be open during the hours.