HOW TO: Watch the Pikes Peak Hillclimb!

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If you’re not overly concerned for your personal safety you can even sit right on the apex of a corner, though it wouldn’t hurt to double check your life insurance policy beforehand. On the off chance that you survive you may want to bring some wet wipes to make your walk back to your vehicle a bit more comfortable.

 

Walking up the hill from 11 mile station takes you to Heitman’s Hill, a hard right that winds into a steep uphill straight. The cars carry plenty of speed coming out of 11 mile station and are hard on the brakes coming into this corner. Make sure you are always aware of your surroundings and check that you’re not standing in an area where the cars are likely to crash. If you are standing in the ‘danger zone’ make sure you have an escape route should a car come hurtling towards you!

Some people (like this chump) choose to neglect their safety and stand on the edge of the road with a sheer drop at their backs. Maybe he was getting some really sweet photos over there, I’ll never know.

 

 

As you move up the mountain to the middle section you will quickly find yourself passing 12,000 feet of elevation, which is the point above which trees are unable to grow. This section has some of the best views looking down the mountain. It's also where you will begin to notice how cold it can get up here, with morning temperatures being around 40 to 50 degrees.

 

Looking down from Devil’s Playground you can see the final dozen or so corners of the lower section, as well as the entire middle section. As you can tell by the snow on the ground, it can get pretty cold at this altitude, and with no trees to break the wind you’ll want to make sure you dress accordingly. Watching the sunrise to the soundtrack of echoing racecars warming up their engines in the staging area below is something everybody needs to experience at least once!

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