Historic artifacts to reach Pikes Peak summit for first time during 220th anniversary commemoration

More than 220 years after U.S. Army Lt. Zebulon Montgomery Pike turned back short of the summit of the mountain that now bears his name, an artifact that accompanied him on that journey will finally complete the climb.

The Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum (CSPM), in collaboration with Pikes Peak - America's Mountain and the National Archives, has arranged for Zebulon Pike's original field notebook to travel from Washington, D.C., for a special exhibition at the Pikes Peak Summit Visitor Center.

The notebook will be displayed alongside a sword owned by Pike, on loan from History Colorado, and Pike's 1810 commission as a lieutenant colonel signed by President James Madison from the CSPM collection.

"Zebulon Pike's expedition played an important role in understanding the vast land acquisition created by the 1803 Louisiana Purchase," said Matt Mayberry, director of the Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum. "More than two centuries after Pike's attempted ascent, this exhibition allows visitors to experience a remarkable piece of that history. In a symbolic way, his notebook is finally reaching the summit."

The exhibition is part of the City of Colorado Springs' participation in the America 250 Colorado 150 commemoration, which highlights people, places and events that shaped the nation, state and region. The project is funded in part through a grant from the Lodgers and Auto Rental Tax (LART).

The exhibit will be on display at the Pikes Peak Summit Visitor Center from June 12 through Aug. 10, 2026. During the exhibition period, the Pikes Peak Highway uphill gates are open daily from 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Visitors may enter the highway until 6 p.m. The Pikes Peak Summit Visitor Center is open until 7 p.m. Admission fees apply. For visitation information, tickets and current conditions, visit DrivePikesPeak.com.

About Zebulon Pike's expedition

In late November 1806, Pike and three companions attempted to climb the mountain that now bears his name during an expedition to explore and map portions of the newly acquired Louisiana Territory. After four days of difficult travel, the group abandoned the effort because of severe winter weather and inadequate clothing and equipment.

The field notebook contains navigational calculations, geographic observations and route sketches created during the expedition. For this exhibition, the notebook will be opened to the page depicting Pike's attempted route to the summit.

After Pike and his party were detained by Spanish authorities in 1807, the notebook was confiscated and remained missing for more than a century before being rediscovered and eventually returned to the National Archives.

For more information, visit cspm.org.