Which Peak is Pike's?
The official version is that the mountain formerly known as “El Capitan,” or “El Big Fraud,” is presently named after Zebulon Pike, an explorer who led an expedition to southern Colorado in 1806. The unofficial, and true version so far as I’m concerned, is that ol’ Zebulon was really on a mission to have his name affixed to everything in the area except that wretched mountain. You might wonder, gentle reader, how I know this to be true? Deduction, pure and simple. How else to explain why everything within a hundred mile radius bears the name of Pike, but there is not a single sign pointing to the correct mountain?
The adventure on 18 wheels continued yesterday for the Carter boys, as Dad and I left Amarillo, Texas, for Denver, Colorado. As we drove north on I-25 and the landscape changed from the occasional bump or hill sticking out of the flat landscape to great heaping piles of rocks and small mountains, the signs sporting Zebulon’s last name began to appear. There is Pike’s Community College and Pike’s International Raceway. There are auto dealerships named after Pike. Starbucks even has a coffee flavor named Pike’s Place or something like that. Spotting the correct mountain, however, is a different task altogether and the traveler will find no signs to assist.
Driving toward Pueblo, we saw a tall and majestic snow-capped peak and knew instantly that this must be Pike’s Peak. As we approached it, however, it didn’t seem so tall after all. Besides, there was a taller mountain just behind it. Also, it had more snow. Very well then, this second one had to be Pike’s Peak. After all, a mountain so famous that even a couple of Louisiana Cajuns had heard of it had to be prominent, just like this second mountain. On closer examination however, we saw that it was merely a cheap immitation of what appeared to be even taller mountains further ahead, and they were practically encased in snow. These, we decided,…or one of them at any rate, must be the famous mountain that climbers have bragged about for so long. After all, how could a mountain so well known that a community college was named after it be anything other than one of these beautiful specimens in front of us! So that settled it, until we saw the next towering mass of snow-capped granite down the road a piece. Could that be it? What about the gigantic pyramid of snow behind it that seemed large enough to create its own weather? What about the wall of snow ensconced rocks behind that one? Just how many peaks did Pike have? The coup de grace of our search for Pike’s Peak took place in Denver, when we spied any number of businesses named after ol’ Zeb. There are Pike’s auto dealers, Pike’s restaurants, Pike’s streets, Pike’s you-name-it service, ad nauseum. But Pike’s Peak? Methinks Pike peaked too soon.
Driving south to Santa Fe this afternoon, we again searched for this stupid mountain and spied at least half a dozen worthy candidates. Pointing to our right at a couple of mounds on the side of the road, Dad asked, “Know what those are?” When I replied that I didn’t, he answered, “Pike’s Humps.” And with that, we dispensed with Pike.
Crossing the border into New Mexico, we drove over the Canadian River which, as expected, is about the width of an average ditch. You might think the Canadian River flows from Canadia, but you’d be wrong. It starts in Colorado, somewhere close to the international raceway, I think. Back in 1867, a rancher by the name of Tom Stockton built the stage stop along the banks of the Canadian, using materials he had acquired in Dodge City. Stockton named the stop “Clifton House”, presumably after Zebulon Pike, and it became a headquarters for cattle roundups along the Santa Fe Trail. Just as time and the elements have overcome so many old structures in this part of the country, Clifton House eventually fell victim to disuse, eventually burning down altogether. Today, a rest area sits nearby, offering a picturesque view of a mountain that was once an active volcano which, happily, predated Mr. Pike’s signage.
Our travels will take us to the Albuquerque, New Mexico area tomorrow, before setting out for Fontana, California, where we are expected to arrive on Monday. We’ve enjoyed good humor, good music, triple-decker peanut and jelly sandwiches, and books on audio. We’ve laughed with waitresses, truckers, security guards, and warehouse workers. The only truly depressing thing we’ve seen was a walk through a casino earlier tonight, where we could not find a single smile in the crowd. The patrons looked like they had punched a time clock and were working their shift, sticking their earnings savings into machines whose odds favored the house. But that will be a story for another day.
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Comments :
Jun '10
Re: Which Peak is Pike's?
Dave, do you notice your mileage and horsepower decreasing? They should, given the thinner air in the mountains.
Jun '10
Re: Which Peak is Pike's?
Now that I think of it the question should have been, do you notice a decrease in your tractor's torque or pulling power?
Jun '10
Re: Which Peak is Pike's?
Well, gosh dernit, Dave, you're right here in my neck of the woods and you didn't even stop to say hello. Mind you, we have snow predicted for Sunday night. You might as well avail yourself of some Santa Fe hospitlity. mpaulesakabasil@msn.com
Oct '10
Re: Which Peak is Pike's?
Looking out my dining room window, I have a great view of Pikes Peak, and yes, I can brag that I have climbed it. Looked really easy at the start, but at 12,000 feet, once the trees run out and the sun is extreme and the air is thin, the really hard climbing starts.
The reason you found Pikes Peak so easy to miss is because of the snow... that isn't there. The east face of the peak is very straight up, and the mountain blocks most of the snow coming in from the northwest. So, it has what looks like a dusting of snow, really not much at all. Colorado Springs is a micro climate. When Denver, 60 miles north, has severe snowstorms, we could be having a sunny day. The reverse is seldom true.
Come back in March or April, when we have our late winter snows, and the Peak is spectacular.
Sorry you missed the center of America The Beautiful. Remember, there is a reason the song, by Kathryn Lee Bates, was written when she was overtaken by the beauty she saw from Pikes Peak.
May '10
Re: Which Peak is Pike's?
Made the drive from Vegas to Santa Fe to Denver just last week. It's actually a really pretty drive, although I ran across far more stray dogs on the highway than I've ever seen before. That disturbed me. My family has deep roots in Colorado and I still live in Denver, so I've been up that mountain quite a few times. The last time we went up it was taking my father-in-law up the cog railroad, which is a treat. I haven't hiked it in many years. Anyway, next time you're in these parts with a little time to kill, drop me a line and I'll make sure you get pointed in the right direction.
May '10
Re: Which Peak is Pike's?
When I was a kid, my dad took my brother and I on a road trip out west. That was the first time I had seen a mountain (my area doesn't even have many hills). I have many fond memories of Colorado, and have been back since, but a couple memories stand out.
My dad was geologist, and Colorado is Heaven for rock-lovers. So he often pulled onto the side of the road so we could get out and he could give us a lesson on minerals and formations.
Once, he parked by a patch of snow that had tumbled down the mountain; about four feet square. It was the first time my brother and I had seen snow. We had ourselves a brief snowball fight, then realized why people normally wear gloves while doing so.
Another time, my brother and I looked up at the mountaintop and were certain we could climb it. About a half-mile up, we realized the mountain was growing beneath our feet.
We passed through New Mexico, too. There was a park where you can keep any fossil you find. I found a big one, but the sandstone broke my pickaxe.
Jul '10
Re: Which Peak is Pike's?
My closest friend lives on the lower slopes of Pike's Peak in Colorado Springs. We have hiked to the top a number of times when I have visited, even though you can drive to the top on a well paved road. There are a number of lovely, well-maintained trails on the mountain. From a climbing standpoint, though, its greatest interest would be during the winter.
Re: Which Peak is Pike's?
Paules, I knew you lived in NM, but couldn't remember where exactly. Now that I have your email, I'll give you a shout next time I'm through.
Re: Which Peak is Pike's?
RAYCON, you're right of course. It's a breathtakingly beautiful drive. Pike should have claimed all the mountains in the area while he was at it. We should have stopped by your dining room for proper guidance.
Sep '10
Re: Which Peak is Pike's?
When you were near Walsenburg, did you notice the two beautiful peaks to the west of the highway? They're the Spanish Peaks and an interesting walk. Their Native American name is Huajatolla. The word means 'breasts of the world'. Men are everywhere, all the time, the same.
Sep '10
Re: Which Peak is Pike's?
I've driven all over the West but cruising across New Mexico in any direction is sheer delight.
May '10
Re: Which Peak is Pike's?
Oops! I was reading too fast and thought you wrote "whorehouse workers."