1911 Encyclopædia Britannica/Pike's Peak

PIKE’S PEAK, a famous peak of the Rampart range of the Rocky Mountains in El Paso county, Colorado, U.S.A., about 6 m. W. of Colorado Springs. Though surpassed in altitude (14,108 ft.) by many summits in the state, no other is so well known. The commanding appearance of the peak is very fine. To the south are Cameron Cone (10,685 ft.), Mt Sachett, Mt Bald (13,974), Mt Rosa (11,427), and Mt Cheyenne (9407). From the summit the magnificent Sangre de Cristo range is in the foreground, while on a clear day not only its southernmost summit, Blanca Peak (14,390 ft.) is visible, but also the Spanish Peaks (12,708 and 13,623 ft) 100 m. to the south, and Long’s Peak 100 m. to the north, and between them Mt Lincoln, Gray’s Peak and other giants. At the base of the mountain are Manitou and Colorado Springs, whence tourists can make the ascent of the peak (in summer safe and relatively simple) on horseback or by a cog-railway, 8.75 m. long (opened in 1891), which makes a total ascent of 8100 ft. (maximum gradient 1 in 4) to the summit. In 1905 a powerful searchlight was erected on the summit.

Pike’s Peak was discovered in November 1806 by Lieut. Zebulon M. Pike. He attempted to scale it, but took the wrong path and found himself at the summit of Cheyenne Mountain. He pronounced the mountain unclimbable. In 1819 it was successfully climbed by the exploring party of Major S. H. Long.