Who Should Do This?
Anyone living with or close to someone living with MS.
As described in the "How Far Will I Need to Move or Walk?" section, different options are being provided. These range from the very limited movement required option of admiring the beautiful scenery from the base camp to the option of a full day's hike up to and down from the summit of Pikes Peak. Anyone with MS can participate in some capacity.
For those hiking to the peak - you should decide yourself in conjunction with appropriate medical advice if you have the physical capability to hike such a distance. Each hiker will be asked to sign a waiver acknowledging that they will be participating in this activity at their own risk.
The current plan is to have both a medical expert and a Colorado hiking expert hike with us, but there is no guarantee that will happen. The hike will probably also be accompanied by people without MS who are there to provide additional strength and encouragement when it is needed.
How Far Will I Need to Walk or Move?
As far as you would like! You can follow one of five options.
Option 1: Arrive at the base camp at Mueller State Park to just hang out with fellow MSers and look at the stunning scenery for 3 or 4 days.
Option 2: Hike around Mueller State Park on either the paved roads or the hiking trails while you admire the spectacular scenery of the area.
Option 3: Drive up the road which goes to the top of Pikes Peak.
Option 4: Hike up to the top of Pikes Peak and then drive down. Approximately a 6.75 mile hike.
Option 5: Hike up and down for a round trip of approximately 13.25 miles.
How Tall is Pikes Peak?
14,110 feet (4,300 meters). Various hiking routes can take you to the summit. There is also a reasonably well traveled and maintained road that will take you there.
Base camp will be at approximately 10,000 feet, where we will stay for a couple of days to either admire the scenery and/or acclimate to the altitude before those who will hike up make their summit attempt.
When Will This Take Place?
The overall weekend starts on Thursday, July 2, 2015 with return home on Sunday, July 5. For those willing and able, the summit attempt will probably take place on July 4, 2015. If bad weather is forecast for Saturday, July 4, the summit attempt may occur on Friday, July 3, or we could stay an additional day and attempt the summit on Sunday, July 5.
When Should I Plan to Arrive and Leave?
Plan to arrive on Thursday, July 2, 2015. We will stay beginning Thursday, July 2, in Mueller state park at 10,000 ft. We will hike up Pikes Peak on Saturday, July 4, and then depart for home on Sunday, July 5. Thursday arrival is highly recommended for those who plan to hike to the peak so that you can acclimate to the higher altitude before the summit attempt.
Where Will We Be Staying?
Mueller State Park in Divide, Colorado (CO), is the base camp. Mueller is 5,000 acres in size, with great views of the surrounding area.
Mueller has different options for sleeping accommodation. All of them can be reserved 6 months ahead of arrival.
- Tent: Mueller has 132 campsites
- RV: Mueller has several campsites that are served by electricity
- Cabin: Mueller has several cabins that be rented which include things like a bed and a shower
Campground facilities include a coin-operated shower, laundry and restroom facilities.
We will need to decide by late December 2014 if we will utilize campsites, cabins or both so that they can be reserved as soon as they become available.
Full information about Mueller can be read here >> http://www.parks.state.co.us/parks/mueller/Pages/MuellerHome.aspx
How Do I Get There? And Where Do I Go When I arrive?
For those flying in, you have two options:
1) Denver, airport code DEN. DEN is 116 miles from the Mueller State Park base camp. Denver is a Southwest Airlines city, which helps to keep the cost of flights low.
2) Colorado Springs, airport code COS. COS is 41 miles from the Mueller State Park base camp.
If you drive from a nearby airport or directly from home, point your GPS at Divide, CO. The Mueller Starte park base camp is about 3 miles from Divide, CO. Specific driving directions from different locations can be found at the end of the link below:
http://www.parks.state.co.us/Parks/Mueller/MapsandDirections/Pages/MuellerMapsDirections.aspx
What Route to the Peak Will We Be Taking?
Probably the Northwest Slopes route, described here:
>> http://www.14ers.com/routemain.php?route=pike1&peak=Pikes+Peak
The starting point for this route is a few miles from base camp.
What Will it Cost?
Cost elements include the following:
- Getting to and from Mueller State Park
- Rental car for the weekend to get to and from the airport - this cost could be shared with someone else
- For those camping, campsite permits - this cost can be shared among those camping (each site can accommodate multiple tents or an RV with an additional tent)
- For those taking the indoor option of staying in a cabin, cabin rental - this cost could be shared with others who want the cabin option
- Food! Yes, you will need to eat food! This could be a shared expense so that we can all eat together.
