thumb|Zebulon Pike Jr. Zebulon Montgomery Pike Jr. (January 5, 1779 ? April 27, 1813) was an American soldier and explorer for whom Pikes Peak in Colorado is named. His Pike expedition, often compared to the Lewis and Clark Expedition, mapped much of the southern portion of the Louisiana Purchase.Early lifePike was born in Lamberton, New Jersey. His father, also named Zebulon Pike, was an officer in the United States Army under General George Washington and remained in service after the