In our unique collection Adventures with Alan, we’ll journey throughout Southern Colorado week-by-week to point out you thrills and chills, hidden gems and well-known spots.
Since our first journey aired greater than two years in the past, we’ve got tackled three totally different fourteeners.
We hiked to the highest of Mount Sherman and Mount Elbert, and took the Pikes Peak Cog Railway to the highest of America’s Mountain.
This time, we’re taking one other journey to the highest of Pikes Peak, however by automobile.
Aside from Mount Evans, it is the one different fourteener within the state that permits its guests to drive to the highest.
You are able to do that by driving on Pikes Peak Freeway, a 19-mile paved street that was constructed again in 1915.
The doorway to the freeway begins at an elevation of seven,400 toes.
The drive to the summit of Pikes Peak begins…
On the decrease a part of the drive, we journey by means of dense forests and groves of aspen bushes, a few of that are exhibiting their golden fall colours.
About 6.5 miles into the drive, we pull over to cease at Crystal Reservoir.
At round 9,200 toes, it is the primary of three customer facilities alongside the freeway, and value a cease to take a look at the views and the reward store.
Again on Pikes Peak Freeway, we go the following guests heart, the Glen Cove Inn.
It is right here that the actual enjoyable begins as we begin to climb above the treeline.
Only some miles from the highest, we cease for a second time to admire the surroundings and ask just a few of us what they consider the drive to date.
“Oh, I like it. Yeah, it is a wonderful drive. Spouse was somewhat bit scared,” mentioned Landon Nightingale, who was visiting from Kentucky.
One other customer from the Nice White North wasn’t as nervous taking up these hairpin curves.
“(The drive is) not too unhealthy. I like the views. Yeah, it is thrilling,” mentioned Ken Bergman, who was visiting from Canada.
Again within the automobile, the drive mellows out for the ultimate few miles, and after about an hour and a half…we have made it to the summit.
Time to style the donuts!
Now contained in the Customer’s Middle, we marvel on the summit’s brand-new, world-class Customer Middle.
“The constructing as you may see is gorgeous. It is 34,000 sq. toes, which is seven occasions the outdated constructing,” mentioned Marianna Moore, Normal Supervisor, Aramark Pikes Peak.
However we’re right here with hungry bellies and we’re on a mission to check out these world-famous donuts.
Moore solutions the decision and takes us previous the café and into the kitchen to see the place the magic occurs.
It is right here that we meet Chef Ty. He leads the workforce that places out their tasty treats.
Chef Ty tells me that cinnamon and sugar donuts are the preferred.
“I’d simply say as a result of it is the most typical taste profile. Everybody is aware of cinnamon. Everybody is aware of sugar, and it is simply actually scrumptious. It form of provides you a churro really feel, particularly being that contemporary out of the fryer donut,” mentioned Meals & Beverage Supervisor Chef Ty.
I pattern the products, and oh yeah, I agree. They’re scrumptious!
Chef Ty and his workforce are working with a recipe that dates again to 1916, and guests simply eat them up.
“Man after we’re rocking and rolling and the trains are coming, we are able to simply do 2,300 to 2,600 donuts a day,” mentioned Chef Ty.
They declare to be the one donuts made at an altitude of over 14,000 toes.
Enjoyable reality, the donuts we’re instructed will “deflate” if company select to carry them down from the summit because of adjustments in strain.
After devouring three of them, we take just a few moments to benefit from the views earlier than starting our journey again down the mountain to Colorado Springs.
Highway to Pikes Peak score
Now it is time to fee my newest journey.
KOAA graphics
For surroundings, you’re actually on prime of the world at 14,115 toes and the views on a transparent day are a number of the greatest within the state. 5 out of 5.
Relating to the enjoyable stage, the drive could be a little scary with these hairpin turns, particularly when you’re not a fan of heights. That mentioned, it is an unforgettable journey that deserves a 5 out of 5 score.
Now for my last rating…let’s give this one 5 out of 5 stars.
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