Thanks so much for the advice. I drove down and ran the trail yesterday. I had no problem finding public parking in town and found the starting line without difficulty. When I arrived at the summit, I spoke with the conductor and the Cog was full. I hung out in the parking lot and eventually found a ride with a gentleman in the same professional field I'm in, who also is an avid runner interested in running Pikes sometime, and who was kind enough to drop me off at my car. I offered him gas money, but he turned it down. As some of you mentioned, the folks in the parking lot were shocked that I arrived at the summit on foot, especially when I told them I ran from the starting line in Manitou to the Barr Trailhead and ascended from there. It was a fun day. :)
