The Pike expedition was a reconnaissance campaign led by the captain of the United States Army Zebulon Pike to explore the south and west of the newly acquired territories of the Louisiana Purchase. Approximately contemporary to the Lewis and Clark expedition, the Pike expedition was the first effort to explore the western Great Plains and Rocky Mountains in the current state of Colorado. In it the peak Pikes was discovered, that takes its name in recognition to its work.
From St Louis to Pikes Peak, the Pike expedition traveled almost 900 miles. After discovering it, the expedition continued its travel to the west.