by Pam Johnston, Pike’s Peak Resident

Turning North onto 120th Ave NE at the sculpture depicting a cave-drawing of horses stands possibly the shortest “dead end” sign in the city. Positioned between Pikes Peak West and Pikes Peak, sign attests to steep hills but belies the long roads ahead to more than 120 homes and rising to 435 ft above sea level.

The 100+ properties with 122nd Place NE as their artery make up the Pikes Peak Community Association (President Steve Mackin). This land purchased and subdivided by T.R. Pike in the depression/war era. Although his wife was not pleased with the purchase during that austere time, in 1947 they started the tradition of parents building homes that continue in the family. Their grandson Christian Overman and his wife Kathy live in the original Pike home. A few residents moved from the first home they built to a second. The late Murray Pat Field’s second home is now occupied by their daughter Kathy. Another tradition is the children moving back or never leaving Pike Peak: Bob and JoAnne Campbells daughter Diane Campbell and her husband Steve Moline and, Joe and Sherry Schwab’s son John and his wife Danya.

In 1955, Peaks Peak was Bellevue’s fourth annexation, less than two years after incorporation. Consisting of mostly horse-acre lots, most of Pikes Peak homes still on septic systems, water drains along ditches or into the natural wetlands, and a few have water supplied by wells. City water is supplied by the Bellevue Pikes Peak Reservoir. The “water tower” in the Bridle Trails State Pek will be replaced with a larger volume but more discreet structure designed with the input of neighbors, most notably Kelly Loose and Jay Bergevin.

Under the Seattle City Light lines lies the community trail still used by children to walk to Cherry Create Elementary. The Pikes Peak Green Belt was given to the City by Mr. Pike in 1955. The north most homes line Bridle Trails State park. Horses graze along the tree lined roads. Neighbors appreciate their secluded lots and neighborhood stewardship. Look for the decorations on the Pikes Peak sign at the holidays. Many want to thank the mystery decorator.
Pikes Peaks’ active and independent character embodies the Bridle Trails rural and equestrian nature.