The AdAmAn hiking group, scheduled to set off its annual fireworks display at midnight Wednesday to welcome in the new year, has reached the Barr Trail fork heading to the Experimental Forest.

The hikers set out about 8:30 this morning for Barr Camp. They are about 3 to 3.5 miles away, and should hit hardpacked snow on the trail.

But they are enjoying the sunshine, said Gazette reporter Dean Toda, who is accompanying the group on this year’s hike.It’s windy, Toda said, “But it’s very pleasant.”

The hikers have stripped off their outer layers needed in the morning chill. They expect to reach Barr Camp early this afternoon and spend the night there before setting off for the summit Wednesday morning.

If technology cooperates, the group will send photos from Barr Camp this afternoon.

Stay tuned for the latest from Barr Trail. This evening’s stories and early morning trail conditions should prove “interesting.”

Members of the AdAmAn Club begin their journey to the summit of 14,115-foot Pikes Peak Tuesday. Photo by CHRISTIAN MURDOCK/THE GAZETTE