Cascade, CO below Pikes Peak - Circa 1912
Pikes Peak is named for Lt. Zebulon M. Pike. In 1806, he led an army expedition up the Arkansas River to explore the southern boundaries of the Louisiana Purchase and to spy on the Spanish. Although the mountain was known to the local Ute people, Pike is credited with discovering it because he provided the first accurate description of the area to the United States. Pike and his men never climbed the peak. The first official ascent of the mountain was completed in 1820 by Dr. Edwin James, a botanist, while on a scientific survey expedition led by Major Stephen Long.