Working up to 14
The Blue Lake trail and a bit beyond was a great starting place.
JULY 2023
Having a focus on the road is what helps string together the variety of experiences. There is plenty of time to plan, research and think about how best to spend the time. Of course everyone has different priorities and it becomes a great way to soul search.
I have always enjoyed being in the mountain since my first trip to the White Mountains of NH when I was 16. After over 30 years for working, I lost sight and motivation to keep exploring, pushing.
I am not one to run down a hit list. Although, I decided to work towards the number 14 as a way of experiencing bigger mountains. I have been at higher altitudes when I was younger, but the thought of immersing myself in these high beautiful places has made me realize how much I miss these experiences and how much they mean to me.
Blue Lake Trail, Blue River Colorado
I didn’t realize that in a few days I would be soon be high about this lake looking down…
I found an extention to this trail and it lead me to this point below Quandary Peak. An amazing turn around point!
I found an amazing spot to Boondock at Hoosier Pass (11,500) for 3 nights which was a convenient place to acclimate for the hikes in the area.
Next stop: North Star Mountain
Length: 7.4 mi Elevation gain: 2,106 ft Route type: Loop
Towards the summit as the fog lifted and the sun began punching through
I started out before sunrise by headlamp. It was windy and foggy! If that wasn’t enough, I saw a pair of eyes on the shoulder of the trail not long after I started. A cat? The combination of the conditions navigating by gps all got my adrenaline going!
An old mine entrance
Summit ridge
False summit. Quandary Peak across the way. Note the lake I had just hiked by the previous day. I you look above the lake you can see where I hiked up to in the glacial cirque above!
This guy. He had run by me earlier in the morning and passed me on the loop back. He was training for a 100 mile raise with over 30,000 feet in elevation gain! Wow.
Mount Sherman (14,043)
After waiting out bad weather at a lower elevation and at an amazing camping spot, I finally decided the “easiest” of Colorado’s Fourteeners was the best choice due to it’s description and proximity.
The long approach to Mount Sherman!
Summit push
Looking back on the route back from the summit.
Not a lot of photos that day, between the altitude and WIND and interesting narrow ridge, I was otherwise focused on the hike! I found this sign on the summit- 036?
Mount Ida- Rocky Mountain National Park
Another long approach but it was beautiful along the way, not to mention spectacular summit views!
These early starts by headlamp kind of freak me out, but not as much as the thought of afternoon thunderstorms!
Starting point
Apparently, I just missed a herd of large bull elk!
At the summit met this lad who was continuing further. See the next photo..
A view of the 3 peaks that were on his itineray! Out and back!
This time in Colorado was some of the best, most challenging hikes put together. But I am so glad I took the time to find this amazing places!