A-Frame and Treeline

As the trail nears treeline you will reach another sign noting that you are now 3 miles from the summit. Consider the weather carefully before choosing to continue on from this point. There is no shelter between here and the summit house and in a lightning storm this is a dangerous place to be.

Here you will also find the A-Frame. This shelter is maintained by the Forest Service and by the Pikes Peak Chapter of the Colorado Mountain Club. It is only a three sided shelter though. It is facing the right way to block the prevailing winds but sometimes you will find it packed full of snow. The location is excellent for a quick morning ascent though. From here in the rainy season you can make an early start for the summit and be back below treeline in under 4 hours, letting you take advantage of any opening in the weather.