ALL THE WAYS TO COG

From classic climbs to two-wheeled descents, here are four unique ways to experience

The Broadmoor Manitou and Pikes Peak Cog Railway.

AS YOUR PAINTED RED RAIL CAR CLIMBS, FIRST THROUGH canyon, then forest, and then across alpine tundra above the treeline, the view through the windows changes like moving through a gallery of life-sized landscape paintings. The conductor shares historical and geological details over the PA system as the train climbs steadily upward. You scan the ever-changing landscape out the window in anticipation of what lies around the next bend as your body matches the rhythm of the gently swaying passenger car.

This is the immersive journey aboard The Broadmoor Manitou and Pikes Peak Cog Railway to the top of Pikes Peak. The 14,115-foot mountain is visible from up to 100 miles away and, in 1893, its summit

BY JOSHUA BERMAN

served as the inspiration for Katharine Lee Bates’ poem that led to the song “America the Beautiful.” You, too, can stand on the summit and seek inspiration—and a family photo—at one of the lookout points before boarding the train for the downhill journey.

Since 1891, the cog railroad has ferried guests up and down the mountain from the historic depot in Manitou Springs. A $100 millionplus renovation of the historic railway adds new dimensions with new and refurbished trains, a wholly renovated depot, and the Pikes Peak Summit Visitor Center. Some novel additions allow guests to experience the Cog in new ways. Here are a few options to explore Pikes Peak by rail:

The Classic Climb TRADITIONAL UP-AND-DOWN ON THE COG

The three-hour roundtrip journey starts by arriving in Manitou Springs approximately 30 minutes before your scheduled departure time to secure parking and browse the Manitou Depot.

Enjoy the views as the train climbs to the summit, 14,115 feet above sea level, and learn more about America’s Mountain at the City of Colorado Springs Pikes Peak Summit Visitor Center. The low-rise visitor center blends unobtrusively into the mountainside.

Inside, you’ll find dining, snacks, restrooms, and interpretative displays. While exploring the outdoor walkways and vista points, listen for the whistle to climb back aboard for the one-hour return trip.

Cog Up, Bike Down GET YOUR ADRENALINE

PUMPING WITH A THRILLING DESCENT

Board the train with everyone else, but with one big difference: the whole time you watch those views out the window as the train climbs up, you’ll be thinking about what it will be like to speed down the mountain on two wheels.

The Cog Up, Bike Down Pikes Peak Adventure option features a 19.5-mile downhill thrill as you coast down from the summit of Pikes Peak along the Pikes

.ESSENTIALS.

The Broadmoor Manitou And Pikes Peak Cog Railway

The Broadmoor Manitou and Pikes Peak Cog Railway departs from Manitou Depot and operates yearround, weather permitting. Arriving thirty minutes before your scheduled departure is recommended, as are advance e-ticket purchases. The round trip is about three hours—one hour up, 40 minutes at the summit, and one hour and 10 minutes back down to the depot. Visit Cograilway. com or call (719) 685-5401 for information and reservations..

Peak Highway on specially outfitted road bikes. Safety gear—including a helmet, gloves, and protective eyewear—is provided, and a sweep van also follows behind the pack to ensure safety and offer a ride if needed. There are also plenty of planned pullouts on the way down to appreciate the mountain views.

The Cog Up, Bike Down Pikes Peak Adventure is a five-hour trip that includes all equipment and transportation and departs from Broadmoor Outfitters booking office on The Broadmoor’s main campus. The road is well-maintained, but this is still challenging with the high altitude, steep drops, and hairpin curves.

Sit Next to the Engineer

ENJOY A UNIQUE PERSPECTIVE OF AMERICA’S MOUNTAIN

It’s all about perspective, and looking through the front driver’s window of one of the most scenic railways in the country as it goes up and down a famous fourteener, as mountains taller than 14,000 feet are known, is quite a viewpoint to have on the Rocky Mountains.

As you sit next to the engineer, you’ll learn about the history of the railway and its construction while enjoying a view straight up the tracks. Cog railways are unique in that they use a toothed middle track alongside the running rails. A gear on the train meshes with the toothed track, enabling the train to safely ascend and descend steeper inclines than are possible with traditional trains. This technology permits the train to traverse the 8.9-mile track with an average incline of 12 percent, climbing a total of 7,000 feet to reach the summit. The first mountain cog railway was the Mount Washington Cog Railway in New Hampshire, which carried its first fare-paying passengers in 1868. You’ll learn all kinds of facts about the train and the scenery as you swivel your neck to take in unobstructed views of the tracks, forest, mountain, and sky.

Enjoy a Private Excursion

RENT THE ENTIRE TRAIN FOR A MEMORABLE WEDDING OR REUNION

Imagine having an entire Broadmoor Manitou and Pikes Peak Cog Railway to yourself! Now imagine inviting up to 200 guests or loved ones aboard for a private group trip, family reunion, or wedding event. Contact the railway directly to inquire about this experience, and they’ll help arrange everything.

This is an unforgettable activity for your guests, who will have exclusive access to the entire train and all its amenities. You’ll make the trip to the summit of Pikes Peak, where you can take in the views, and perhaps organize a group shot with your photographer.

Aspecial occasion calls for a remarkable venue, and The Broadmoor, the world’s longest-running Forbes Five-Star and AAA Five-Diamond resort, is a perfect choice. Nestled against a picturesque mountain backdrop in Colorado Springs, the resort exudes an elegant atmosphere, exceptional service, and an impressive array of venue options.

From weddings and family reunions to other important gatherings, The Broadmoor is renowned for its expertise in event planning. The experienced and attentive staff, coupled with reliable vendor relationships, make organizing an event here a breeze. The resort offers multiple dining options, entertainment, a range of lodging choices, and diverse venues to suit any aesthetic preference. You can choose from large ballrooms, scenic cottages, cozy lodges, an outdoor terrace, a historic chapel, and more to host your special event. The Broadmoor can accommodate guest lists ranging from intimate gatherings to more than a thousand attendees.

The Broadmoor’s versatility and commitment to delivering exceptional service make it an ideal event destination. Here’s a closer look at the resort’s impressive venue offerings:

Mountain View Terrace

This elegant, covered terrace boasts stunning views of Cheyenne Canyon, with a secluded location outside Broadmoor West. This venue is ideal for larger gatherings of 200 to 300 guests.

Lake Terrace Dining Room

The Lake Terrace Dining Room alongside beautiful Cheyenne Lake is ideal for a memorable dinner and reception. It pairs beautifully with a Lakeside Terrace ceremony. This is the most-requested wedding venue on site.

West Tower Lawn

The landscape of the West Tower Lawn gives couples a natural framework for a romantic ceremony or a tented reception. This is the largest, lushest outdoor ceremony site, with the ability to handle 1,000 guests— surrounded by pine, maple, and cherry trees.

Pauline Memorial Chapel

The Broadmoor offers a historic chapel with old-world charm. It is reminiscent of a small European cathedral, with Spanish Colonial Revival-inspired architecture and an impressive religious art collection. The chapel seats up to 100 guests.

South Terrace

The South Terrace overlooks Cheyenne Lake and can accommodate up to 50 guests. It is situated just outside the classically designed South Tower lobby and boasts dramatic views of Cheyenne Mountain.

Donald Ross Room Terrace

The 2,025-square-foot Donald Ross Room terrace is ideal for a cocktail hour with unobstructed views of the golf course. This flexible space on the Broadmoor Golf Club’s second floor is also a charming venue for dinner. Events of 50 to 70 guests can enjoy its oversized windows overlooking the mountains and golf course and an outdoor balcony in warmer weather.

Fish House

Small events (11 to 24 guests) will feel at home in the Fish House, tucked away in the East Golf Course. The rustic, cozy interior is punctuated by beautiful lake and mountain views.

Lakeside Terrace

For a picturesque view of Cheyenne Lake and Cheyenne Mountain, choose the iconic Lakeside Terrace for the ceremony and/or cocktail hour. This venue welcomes 100 to 250 guests.

Broadmoor Estate House

The Estate House offers a stunning historic residence located just steps from The Broadmoor’s main campus. Recite your vows on the spacious and private back lawn, while surrounded by lush, meticulously landscaped gardens and stunning views of Cheyenne Mountain, and either move indoors for your reception or continue to enjoy the fresh mountain air with cocktails and reception on the lawn. The nearby Broadmoor Cottages and Broadmoor Brownstones offer additional options for luxurious residential-style lodging and entertaining.

Rocky Mountain Ballroom

The Broadmoor has a traditional ballroom, the Rocky Mountain Ballroom (complete with an outdoor patio space), that’s big enough for 400.

Cheyenne Lodge Terrace

For the rustic yet elegant, quintessential Colorado setting, Cheyenne Lodge offers 150 to 200 guests bird’s-eye views of the Pikes Peak region. The wraparound patio is a breathtaking location for a ceremony and cocktail hour before you head into the lodge for dinner and dancing. The terrace is warm, cozy, and private; it feels like you’re on a remote mountainside.

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Weddings And Events At The Broadmoor

The Broadmoor features a wide variety of spaces and options for hosting private groups, large or small, including catering services and a full slate of fun activities and experiences. Contact The Broadmoor’s sales department at sales@broadmoor. com or (855) 498-7558 for information.