Pikes Peak Hillclimb?

I will be going to Pikes Peak for the Hillclimb for the first time ever. I will have all the necessary photo gear, but I am not sure what to expect in regards to logistics or other items I may not think of.

1) should I go both for qualifying and the race on Sunday? Is qualifying the whole hill or just portions?

2) Is it possible to move from location to location during the day? Obviously can’t use the road but hiking?

3) Best location to photograph from?

4) I will be staying with a friend about an hour away. Should we camp on the hill Saturday night?

Anything else I should know? I have no idea what to expect.

I went for the 100th anniv. a few years back so I might be able to help a little.

1) I would go for at least one of the qual sessions, They run different segments each day of qual.

2) From what I understand you use to be able to hike between spots but that is no longer allowed, so your pretty much stuck where you are viewing from until the last car has run and they all come back down the mountain.

3) I spectated and shot from Devils playground with a 300 2.8L. I would imagine that is the best location to shoot from.

4) If you can, I would. I had to wake up at around 12am to be on the mountain and waiting by 2am to ensure I was one of the few hundred that got to park at Devils playground.

Bring all kinds of food, drinks and clothes. Seriously one of the craziest weather days I've ever experienced. Cold, Hot, Sun, Rain and Snow. I wasn't expecting to be so winded just walking around either. After 12 hours at 12k feet it really starts to wear on you. It was a brutal weekend as far as sleep and said I'd only do it the once, but I find myself wanting to go back every June now.

RJC wrote in post #18618338
I went for the 100th anniv. a few years back so I might be able to help a little.

1) I would go for at least one of the qual sessions, They run different segments each day of qual.

2) From what I understand you use to be able to hike between spots but that is no longer allowed, so your pretty much stuck where you are viewing from until the last car has run and they all come back down the mountain.

3) I spectated and shot from Devils playground with a 300 2.8L. I would imagine that is the best location to shoot from.

4) If you can, I would. I had to wake up at around 12am to be on the mountain and waiting by 2am to ensure I was one of the few hundred that got to park at Devils playground.

Bring all kinds of food, drinks and clothes. Seriously one of the craziest weather days I've ever experienced. Cold, Hot, Sun, Rain and Snow. I wasn't expecting to be so winded just walking around either. After 12 hours at 12k feet it really starts to wear on you. It was a brutal weekend as far as sleep and said I'd only do it the once, but I find myself wanting to go back every June now.

Appreciate this post so much! Sounds like I need to start planning the day to make sure I get there super early to watch from Devil's Playground. I have my 300 F2.8 as well that I will be shooting with most of the time. Please feel free to post a few photos from that location!

Well, as luck would have it I have accepted a position with a new company and wont be able to get off work to go to the PPIHC this year. But I will still be planning on going next year if everything works out.

Would still love anyone to give some input for anyone else who is planning on going.

It has been a very long time since I was at the hill climb, but I remember being very cold and getting a bad sunburn. Protect against both.

Haven't been on the peak in years but it used to be my specialty, so weigh any more recent comments against what follows.


1) If you are a more racing fan that photo nerd, race day is enough (race week is hell on the body), Devil's playground is the best spot to watch from, depending on where you set up shop, you can see about 1/4 of the total course. Be prepared for the altitude and bring lots of layers. I've been there when it hasn't gotten above 40 and they stopped the race half way due to snow/hail, or when there was lightning BELOW us on the course, and when its been 80 degrees. If the weather turns to crap there is a chance they will stop the cars at Glen Cove BUT if it holds out, its the best place. Plan to hit the gate at 4:00 AM or earlier at a minimum and not be off the mountain until after 6 PM. Tons of water, take asprin, and be prepared for 3 meals and you'll have an amazing time.

If you don't want to risk getting stuck and not seeing the action, the ski area or glen cove would be my recommendations.

2) If you are a die hard racing fan or a photo nerd, race day is almost a waste compared to practice and qualifying days. They split the course up in to three sections and the field into three groups. Each group gets one day on each section. Each entrant will get between 3 and 5 runs. They start between 5:30 AM and 6:00 AM and end by 9:30 AM (schedule might have changed a little). You'll need to be through the starting line for the section you want to be on by 5:00 AM to be safe. You can normally park up in areas they don't let spectators park in (safety equipment and broken down racer pull over storage) and or should be able to get up past Devil's Playground on the top. Pick the group that has your favorite entrants in it and follow it, or pick your favorite section and see each group go through it. My favorite spots used to be Boulder Park, up past Bottomless Pit and Devil's Playground (http://www.kevinhahnph​otography.com/2009/PPI​HC2009D2/) or on the lower section the area known as Blue Sky (http://kevinhahnphotog​raphy.com …1KevinHahnPPIHC​P3%203.jpg) the Ws or double cut can also offer some amazing views and great photo options: http://kevinhahnphotog​raphy.com/2010/PPIHC20​10d1/index.html

Practice and qualifying days used to be included in your ticket but they might not be any more (I think I heard that) but in the past it used to be $10.00 a day just for those days. My personal opinion is that race day is great to experience once, but its such a crap shoot, you get to see more action and have MUCH better light on the practice days, you just have to hate sleep and get up at 2 or 3 AM each day. I haven't been back since its been all paved (and some political issues with the organization), but the last year I went, I didn't even go on race day, I did no media credential and just paid the $10.00 to get in on the practice days I wanted to go to, back then there was no waiver or disclaimer on practice days either, just $10.00 ea at the toll gate and that was it, and it was glorious!

L5intoR5/Cr wrote in post #18636068
Haven't been on the peak in years but it used to be my specialty, so weigh any more recent comments against what follows.


1) If you are a more racing fan that photo nerd, race day is enough (race week is hell on the body), Devil's playground is the best spot to watch from, depending on where you set up shop, you can see about 1/4 of the total course. Be prepared for the altitude and bring lots of layers. I've been there when it hasn't gotten above 40 and they stopped the race half way due to snow/hail, or when there was lightning BELOW us on the course, and when its been 80 degrees. If the weather turns to crap there is a chance they will stop the cars at Glen Cove BUT if it holds out, its the best place. Plan to hit the gate at 4:00 AM or earlier at a minimum and not be off the mountain until after 6 PM. Tons of water, take asprin, and be prepared for 3 meals and you'll have an amazing time.

If you don't want to risk getting stuck and not seeing the action, the ski area or glen cove would be my recommendations.

2) If you are a die hard racing fan or a photo nerd, race day is almost a waste compared to practice and qualifying days. They split the course up in to three sections and the field into three groups. Each group gets one day on each section. Each entrant will get between 3 and 5 runs. They start between 5:30 AM and 6:00 AM and end by 9:30 AM (schedule might have changed a little). You'll need to be through the starting line for the section you want to be on by 5:00 AM to be safe. You can normally park up in areas they don't let spectators park in (safety equipment and broken down racer pull over storage) and or should be able to get up past Devil's Playground on the top. Pick the group that has your favorite entrants in it and follow it, or pick your favorite section and see each group go through it. My favorite spots used to be Boulder Park, up past Bottomless Pit and Devil's Playground (http://www.kevinhahnph​otography.com/2009/PPI​HC2009D2/) or on the lower section the area known as Blue Sky (http://kevinhahnphotog​raphy.com …1KevinHahnPPIHC​P3%203.jpg) the Ws or double cut can also offer some amazing views and great photo options: http://kevinhahnphotog​raphy.com/2010/PPIHC20​10d1/index.html

Practice and qualifying days used to be included in your ticket but they might not be any more (I think I heard that) but in the past it used to be $10.00 a day just for those days. My personal opinion is that race day is great to experience once, but its such a crap shoot, you get to see more action and have MUCH better light on the practice days, you just have to hate sleep and get up at 2 or 3 AM each day. I haven't been back since its been all paved (and some political issues with the organization), but the last year I went, I didn't even go on race day, I did no media credential and just paid the $10.00 to get in on the practice days I wanted to go to, back then there was no waiver or disclaimer on practice days either, just $10.00 ea at the toll gate and that was it, and it was glorious!

I wish I would have went back when there was some dirt. I keep hearing everyone talk about “the good old days” haha. But thanks for the info. It definitely sounds like since I am both a car nerd (not so much racing but a heavy car nerd) and maybe even a bigger photo nerd, I have to hit qualifying days. That might be the plan for next year, but I might honestly have to wait a few years until I get that extra week of vacation at work