THE IKKIGATION AGE. 



4-M) 



\SY TO CLIMB 



ca, by the Route of the Cog Wheel Railroad 



opportunity to gain this experience, an opportunity which 

 otherwise they would never enjoy, because without it only 

 those physical aristocrats who have superior development in 

 limbs and lungs would be permitted to stand "close to the 

 sun in lonely lands." The Cog Wheel Road reduces all men 

 to a level in their physical ability to enjoy this pleasure. 

 Without exertion, without fatigue or discomfort in the slight- 

 est degree, anyone able to travel in a railway coach can be 

 lifted up to the strange region of clouds and storms, and for 

 a few hours exist in the heart of eternal desolation. 



To the commonplace man this trip is like living a chapter 

 from one of Jules Verne's romances. Whatever susceptibility 

 to grand impressions, whatever poetic fancies the dullest 

 mind may have, are sure to be aroused and exercised by this 

 experience. 



On the very summit of the peak is a substantial, com- 

 modious and comfortable hotel, which furnishes entertain- 

 ment for thousands of pilgrims who during the season 

 remain over night to view the glories of the sunrise. It is 

 provided with telegraph wires and all the comforts and 

 conveniences of the best modern hotels in the west. Sun- 

 rise excursions, which are run weekly in the latter part of 

 the summer, have become very popular and frequently the 

 entire equipment of the hotel is required to handle the en- 

 thusiastic throngs of visitors. 



From the steel observatory surmounting the hotel, a 

 searchlight of great power is operated. Its path of light 

 may be seen from adjoining states and when its rays are 

 projected along the highways and into the cities and villages 

 of this region, it is a reminder that Pike's Peak, the sentinel 

 of the Rockies, stands vigilant over its own. 



Pike's Peak occupies a more prominent place in the 

 story of the exploration and occupation of the great 

 west than any other name. Pike's Peak was adopted 

 as the unofficial designation of this section of the country 



before the land west of the Missouri river was 

 mapped and before the territories were bounded 

 and named, and is stood as a guide to the thou- 

 sands of eager pioneers when they were moving 

 to the mysterious west. 



The traveler who now makes the ascent of 

 Pike's Peak in comfort by its wonderful railway 

 cannot appreciate the amount of study devoted to 

 the difficult problem by the best engineers and 

 mechanics, or the perils and hardships attending 

 the survey and construction of the road. Camping 

 out, climbing over mountains covered with fallen 

 timber and jagged rocks, the occasional intense 

 cold, terrible snow storms, fearful winds and the 

 difficulty of getting provisions, made this under- 

 taking one of heroic proportions. 



Work was commenced in 1884 and nearly eight 

 miles were graded for a line which was intended 

 to reach that point by a circuitous route thirty 

 miles long, with a five per cent grade. The present 

 road was conceived in 1888 and the golden spike 

 driven October 20th, 1890. The railway over- 

 comes an elevation of 7,518 feet. The train is 

 lifted by a system of Abt rack rail, which forms 

 a continuous double ladder into which the two 

 wheels of the locomotive work. The road-bed, 

 from 15 to '22 feet in width is cut from or built 

 upon solid rock in most places. There is not a 

 trestle on the line and only four short bridges, 

 which are of iron resting upon solid masonry. 

 The track is anchored by 146 anchors embedded 

 ipto solid rock or masonry at distances of from 

 200 to 1,400 feet apart, according to the grade. 



The rails are forty pounds to the yard, stand- 

 ard guage. The rack rails are made from the best 

 adapted Bessemer steel, the teeth having been 

 cut from the solid piece by machines especially 

 constructed for the purpose. The rack rails in the center 

 are constructed of extremely heavy steel. This road is 

 as safe for travelers as any village car line in the country. 

 A visit to Pike's Peak may include, without extra cost 

 to the traveler, visits to scores of the most beautiful resorts 

 in the country. Manitou and the Garden of the Gods are 

 at its very feet. Seven Falls, historic Ute Pass, Rainbow 

 Falls and scores of other minor, but beautiful resorts are all 

 within a few miles' journey from this beautiful and not- 

 able starting point- 

 Six miles from Manitou on an unbroken plateau, lies the 

 city of Colorado Springs, with a population of 40,000. Mid- 

 way between Manitou and Colorado Springs is Colorado City, 

 the first settlement in Colorado, where may be seen an ancient 

 cabin in which the first territorial legislature assembled. Den- 

 ver lies eighty miles to the north of Manitou a rich, beautiful 

 and busy city of 200,000 people. 



Climbing Pike's Peak Timber Line 85% Grade. 



A trip from Denver to the summit of Pike's Peak and 

 return can be made easily and comfortably in one day. 



