Barr Camp Run

The Barr Camp is conveniently situated at roughly the midpoint on the trail to the summit of Pikes Peak, at the 6.8 mile mark and at 10,200 feet above sea level. The camp makes a convenient midway point for a run turnaround if you want a bracing half marathon run ;)


And by "bracing", I mean my body usually screams for me to stop for most of the ascent. I don't run this trail all the time like some Manitou and Colorado Springs locals seem to do. On weekends at least, this trail seems to have almost as many runners as hikers, and there are lots of both.

The Barr Trail is also used for the Pikes Peak Marathon and Ascent races, which go all the way to the top. Back when I lived at 500 feet above sea level, I used to regard the Pikes Peak Marathon as the province of raving lunatics. My attitude has changed a bit since running longer distances and having spent some time here. When I summited the peak for the first time I was able to run 23 of the 27 miles (I fast-hiked the section above tree line on the way up).

Because of the incline railroad and automobile access to the summit (a.k.a. "the easy way up"), there's a restaurant and gift shop at the top, which was a blessing on that chilly and foggy day; I had a hot chocolate and a donut before running back down. You don't get that luxury on every mountain top!

The trail itself has plenty of interesting features. The first mile and a half consists of east-facing switchbacks that are somewhat exposed. Even at 9 AM, it gets surprisingly warm, so I usually choose to fast-hike it. For me, it's faster that way. You get nice views of Manitou and Colorado Springs to the east.

Above the switchbacks, the trail levels off a bit and heads west up the valley. This is where you get your first glimpses of Pikes Peak from the trail


along with some nice views left across the canyon. There are some interesting rock formations, and at one point you go through a rock arch made up of large boulders.

Next, the trail passes up through a grove of aspens


and into the high pine forest on rolling ridges. Because you are now at around 9,000 feet, this area is cooler, and catches breezes coming down the valley. At the upper end of this area near the camp, there are the Ridge Flies, as I call them. For some reason, about a half mile before the camp there is an open section that always has non-biting black flies (at least they don't bite me when I'm running). I have no idea what they're doing there but it's the only place on the trail that has them.

Finally, the Barr Camp itself is a set of cabins and camp sites. You can reserve space in the cabin(s) and stay overnight, and there are even meals at certain times. I'm sure you can fill your water bottle or hydration pack, too. I usually just turn around and enjoy the great downhill run on granite sand and pine needles.

Once you're back down, if your feet are hot or feeling beat, you can stop along the creek on the way into town and soak them. At this time of year it is ICE COLD. I could only stand about 3 seconds at a time.

Then it was off to Copper Canyon brewery for lunch, because a nice IPA is my notion of an ideal recovery beverage ;)

There are some other interesting things in Manitou and surrounding areas. But that will have to wait for another post.