I had the opportunity to swing by Pikes after business in Pueblo and a flight from Denver. What an awesome place. My rental jeep hybrid did me no favors in the “cool racing sounds” department so I had to imagine them all. I didn’t set any records though, because I stopped every mile for another picture. It was a special feeling when the trees dropped away and it becomes strictly sand and rocks up top. Regen braking was a neat trick for the downhill though, adding something like 14 miles of EV range. It was more entertaining to believe the thunder cloud I was descending through was actually charging it in some BTTF/steampunk/darwinian method though.

I have to go back and saunter through RMNP though. Everyone says the park is much better all around, but I certainly don’t regret Pikes as a one-and-done visit without detours or decisions. Who knows, maybe I’ll just stay next time. CO has impacted me more than CA