It was time to tackle the hardest 14er in the Colorado mountains after a leisurely day spent touring the historic town of Frisco yesterday. Not to be confused with San Francisco. We woke up early but not as early as planned and drove to the town of Snowmass after consuming our oven baked pizza. That was not DiGiorno!

Trailhead

We arrived in the parking lot and after unsuccessfully trying to drive to the summit, we backed down and started our hike in the darkness again. A common theme hiking the 14ers as I slowly found out.

Capitol Ditch Trail

Not ten minutes into the trail and I saw a pair of glowing eyes belonging to a black mass. Somebody said that’s a bear! We instantly regretted not purchasing those cans of bear spray at the Bass Pro Shop. Luckily it turned out to be a sleeping cow as we got closer to shed light on the subject in question. Who needs a jolt of caffeine in the morning? Just pretend you ran into a bear in the middle of the night!

Capitol Ditch Trail

We soon hit the junction and joined up with another trail that branched off from the ditch trail.

Capitol Creek Trail

Hop, skip and a jump over the creek.

Maroon Bells Snowmass Wilderness

Entering the area that covers 100 square miles of trails and six of the 14ers, including the one we were doing today.

Capitol Peak Trail

We hiked through an open field seemingly devoid of bears but filled with trees.

Capitol Peak Trail

Andy crossing over a stream in the meadows. You sure this is the way?

Capitol Peak Trail

Hiked up a hill filled with peculiar noises to my ears which were further amplified by the darkness. Needless to say, my pace quickend a bit until we reached the saddle between Mount Daly and Capitol Peak where daylight soon shed light on our surrounding areas.

Capitol Peak Trail

Contouring on the east side of the ridge line.

Capitol Peak Trail

Scrambling up the uneven rocks.

Capitol Peak Trail

Andy crossing over slabs of granite that were covered with a film of dirt and loose rocks.

Capitol Peak Trail

Watching the breaking sun over the mountains. Quite the show.

Capitol Peak Trail

Andy preparing to cross a thin river of loose rocks and dirt. There’s no other way?

Capitol Peak Trail

Looking ahead to the stretch of boulder field that was waiting for us.

Capitol Peak Trail

There’s snow in them thar hills.

Capitol Peak Trail

Following the stacked rocks as we picked our way through the field of bigger stacked rocks.

Capitol Peak Trail

We soon started to angle to the right across the talus slope.

Capitol Peak Trail

Rock hopping our way up the the mixture of stable and loose rocks. Some may think this is fun. I’m not one of them.

Capitol Peak Trail

Looking ahead to the cloud wrapped 14,138′ summit. Look but don’t touch.

K2

Andy coming up to K2 over the rocky terrain with the clouds behind his back.

K2

Traversing to the right of K2 with patches of snow and ice.

K2

Why are you eating lunch in the soupy rain? Does that mean we are turning back? Rhetorical question?

K2

Andy making his way back.

Capitol Peak Trail

Leaving K2 behind us which is the turning point if the weather conditions takes a turn for the worse. I didn’t even get to use my helmet.

Capitol Peak Trail

Scrambling our way back over the boulder field. The highlight of the hike for me. Not.

Capitol Peak Trail

Somebody dug a hole for themselves that they were luckily able to crawl back out.

Capitol Peak Trail

Common critter in the mountains.

Capitol Peak Trail

Switch backing our way down the hill.

Capitol Lake

Descending towards the lake where voices floated our way from the clusters of campers down below.

Capitol Peak Trail

Spotted a fatter version of a squirrel on the trail. It wasn’t looking for handouts.

Capitol Peak Trail

Leaving the mountains behind us, as grassy fields and meadows lay ahead of us.

Capitol Peak Trail

Andy going down the trail which ran next to the flowing creek.

Capitol Peak Trail

We could actually see the forest for the trees for the mountains. Nice hiking in the daytime.

Capitol Peak Trail

Andy waiting for the trail to end.

Capitol Peak Trail

I guess it’s better to take a fall during the day, rather than at night.

Capitol Peak Trail

We’ll be back. Hopefully under better conditions.

Cow Whisperer

Andy standing his ground and showing the gentle giants, per PETA, who is the boss on the trail. The reports of cows being a “nuisance” on the trails were somewhat accurate. Or perhaps, the cows perceived us as the “nuisance?”

All pau

We came back to a still full parking lot as we crossed paths with multiple hikers heading to Capitol Lake to spend the night and perhaps try their hand at tackling the peak. In retrospect, we should’ve taken the advice some had given and split the hike into two days instead of a long day. Lesson learned.

GPS Tracks

Our attempt at summitting what is regarded as the hardest 14er in Colorado was thwarted by bad weather and covered almost 16 miles. Better safe than sorry. As they say, the mountains will always be there.

Post hike meal at China Town in Glenwood Springs, where we got the dinner plate. We should’ve gone to Panda Express. At least we got fortune cookies with tidings of generalized and vague expressions and prophecies that can be interpreted in ones own favor. The same couldn’t be said about our food.

Photos taken by Andy Wiegand and yours truly. Not necessarily in order.

Note: I have been made aware that some hikers have been using my blog as a hiking guide and getting lost on the trails. Please note that this blog was made to document the hike for the crew(s) that did it. That is why some of my comments will seem to have no relevance or meaning to anybody outside of the crew(s) that hiked that trail. My blog was never meant as a hiking guide, so please do not treat it as such. If you find inspiration and entertainment from these hikes, that is more than enough. If you plan on replicating these hikes, do so in the knowledge that you should do your own research accordingly as trail conditions, access, legalities and so forth are constantly in flux. What was current today is most likely yesterdays news. Please be prepared to accept any risks and responsibilities on your own as you should know your own limitations, experience and abilities before you even set foot on a trail, as even the “simplest” or “easiest” of trails can present potential pitfalls for even the most “experienced” hikers. One should also always let somebody know of your hiking plans in case something doesn’t go as planned, better safe than sorry.

We had left Colorado Springs yesterday after a fun day at the Cave of the Winds and one of the local dispensaries, thanks again to the Defelice family for their gracious hospitality and drove to Silverthorne to spend the next couple of days. Today we left early to make the drive to the town of Winfield to hike our next 14er. Thanks to the West family for their generosity in letting us stay in their ski house during our stay.

Lulu Gulch Road

Taking advantage of our 4×4 Highlander, we drove past the 2WD parking lot after a fellow hiker said your car can make it and she got a free ride to Lake Ann to boot. The gate was locked preventing further four wheeled access, so we took over with our two legs.

Lulu Gulch Road

Following the road as it switch backed up the side of the valley.

Lulu Gulch Road

We turned left at the junction as going straight down the road dead ends at an old mine.

Lulu Gulch Road

Following the road as it contoured around Browns Peak North Ridge.

Lulu Gulch Road

Andy crossing a little creek on the trail.

Lulu Gulch Road

Looking towards Browns Peak that stands at 13,253′.

Lulu Gulch Road

We almost went up the 4WD road to Middle Mountain by mistake and thankfully caught our error early on and backtracked towards the gulch.

Lulu Gulch

Trying to find our path amongst the scattered scree. What trail? We both just picked our own lines towards the ridge line.

Pika

Spotted one of numerous rock dwelling mammals that are just a click cuter than rats.

Lulu Gulch

Scrambling up the mountain of scree. No bueno. No fun.

Trail

Apparently Andy picked the better line.

Trail

Panoramic view of the upper basin.

Trail

Daddy Long Legs in the mountains.

Trail

Angling across the grassy tundra and scattered rocks.

Browns Peak

Crossing over the unranked summit.

Trail

Traversing across the dike.

Trail

Contouring our way over the slope of scree.

Trail

Are we there yet?

Trail

Andy passing the junction to the Standard Huron Route Trail. You mean there was an easier way to get up here?

Huron Trail

Going up the pile of scree rubble that characterizes the mountains in the Sawatch Range.

Huron Trail

Andy passing other hikers descending from the summit.

Huron Peak

Standing on the summit named after the Huron Indians. They got the name but not the land.

Huron Peak

Group photo at the 14,006′ summit. Or is it 14,003’? Or is it 14,012’? Will the real elevation please stand up. Some people are of the opinion that Huron has the best summit view of all the 14ers. Hard to argue with them, as we haven’t done all the 14ers, so we will just have to take their word.

Huron Trail

Leaving the summit before noon, lest any thunderstorms show up to ruin our day.

Huron Trail

Going down the trail surrounded by stacks of scree.

Huron Trail

We decided to follow the standard trail back down and make it a loop. Nobody wanted to climb back down the gulch. Met a guy and his dog coming up and we all agreed that the gulch “sucked.” Big time.

Huron Trail

Switch backing our way down the mountain.

Huron Trail

Andy crossing the basin with commanding views of the surrounding mountains.

Huron Trail

No stalking mountain lions seen on the trail. No aggressive or territorial moose spotted. Just a dog. I was fine with that.

Huron Trail

Andy hiking into the treeline.

Huron Trail

Talked story at the end of the official trailhead with a group of hikers from the East Coast. Some summitted. Some did not. The high altitude elevation was the main culprit.

All pau

Nobody was driving back down the road so we ended up hoofing the rutted jeep road back to our car.

GPS Tracks

Our “Tour de Huron” hike covered a little over roughly nine miles. Post hike meal in the town of Leadville at Moe’s Original BBQ. The outdoor seating was nippy with the edge taken off by the pulled pork chili, potato salad, vegetables and cornbread.

Photos taken by Andy Wiegand and yours truly. Not necessarily in order.

Note: I have been made aware that some hikers have been using my blog as a hiking guide and getting lost on the trails. Please note that this blog was made to document the hike for the crew(s) that did it. That is why some of my comments will seem to have no relevance or meaning to anybody outside of the crew(s) that hiked that trail. My blog was never meant as a hiking guide, so please do not treat it as such. If you find inspiration and entertainment from these hikes, that is more than enough. If you plan on replicating these hikes, do so in the knowledge that you should do your own research accordingly as trail conditions, access, legalities and so forth are constantly in flux. What was current today is most likely yesterdays news. Please be prepared to accept any risks and responsibilities on your own as you should know your own limitations, experience and abilities before you even set foot on a trail, as even the “simplest” or “easiest” of trails can present potential pitfalls for even the most “experienced” hikers. One should also always let somebody know of your hiking plans in case something doesn’t go as planned, better safe than sorry.

We woke up before the crack of dawn to drive to the town of Alma and up the road to Kite Lake to hike our first 14ers.

Kite Lake

What does the outside temperature say? Isn’t that just five degrees above freezing? Well, at least I won’t melt.

Kite Lake

Paid for our $5 parking permit. Got a pen? Do I look like I have a pen holder on my t-shirt? Look on the ground.

Basin

Left the crowded parking lot and crossed a couple of streams as we began our clockwise loop trail.

Basin

We brought our helmets but found out that we were alone in bringing such protection.

Basin

Hiking out of the basin.

Kentucky Belle Mine

Passing one of many collapsed mine shacks that pockmark the mountains.

Decalibron Loop

Andy coming up the headwall.

Democrat-Cameron Saddle

Heading towards the saddle that separates the two peaks.

Democrat-Cameron Saddle

We made a left as we crested the saddle while passing another shuttered shack.

Decalibron Loop

Making our way up the final hill towards the summit.

Mount Democrat

Standing on top of my first 14er in Colorado that I hiked and not drove to the top.

Mount Democrat

Group photo at the 14,155′ summit in the Mosquito Range.

Democrat-Cameron Saddle

Descending back down towards the saddle as the clouds started to drift in towards us.

Decalibron Loop

Climbing out of the saddle as the clouds blanketed the summit of Democrat and started to roll down towards us.

Decalibron Loop

Hiking in the clouds that had totally enveloped us on the mountains.

Decalibron Loop

Surrounding views of the nearby lakes, valleys and mountains.

Decalibron Loop

The struggle with the thin air was very real.

Mount Cameron

Andy on top of the 14,238′ partially cloud-soaked summit. Can we borrow your cardboard sign?

Cameron-Lincoln Saddle

Leaving the summit where other hikers offered up the opinion that descending down the Bross trail was too steep and sketchy and that thunderstorms were headed our way. Taken under consideration.

Cameron-Lincoln Saddle

Crossing the wide open and flat area as the clouds gathered overhead and threatened to literally rain on our parade.

Decalibron Loop

Going up the false summit before the final pitch.

Mount Lincoln

Group photo at the 14,293′ peak that is the highest summit in the Mosquito Range.

Mount Lincoln

Practiced my how to survive a lightning strike pose in case it ignored my bottle of Coke.

Decalibron Loop

Holy hiking poles, Batman! Where’s Batgirl?

Decalibron Loop

Left the summit and the caped crusader and his buddies.

Cameron-Lincoln Saddle

The dark clouds seemed to be moving away from us, so we decided to finish the loop instead of backtracking down the way we had come from.

Cameron-Bross Saddle

Traversing the alpine habitat that was entirely devoid of plant life.

Mount Bross Junction

Passing the trail that leads to the summit of Mount Bross that is currently off-limits to the public due to liability concerns about the unstable mine shafts leftover from the gold and silver rush era. The junction at 14,014′ stands in for the summit being attained.

Decalibron Loop

Claps of thunder soon rumbled in the mountain range with seemingly increasing frequency and pitch.

Decalibron Loop

Soaking in the views. Just hoping not to get soaked.

Decalibron Loop

Descending towards the gully and following the trail as it meandered on the South side.

Decalibron Loop

Andy coming down a stretch of loose scree.

Decalibron Loop

A combination of hail and rain soon fell from the skies.

Decalibron Loop

Following the waterfall down at the base of Mount Bross.

All pau

Back in the basin and at the trailhead as the light rain kept us company. Thankfully no lightning was seen or struck.

GPS Tracks

Our clockwise loop trail that included four 14er mountains covered 7.26 miles through weather that ranged from crispy clear to hollering hail. The name of the loop is shorthand for the four mountains on the loop: Democrat, Cameron, Lincoln, Bross and the ending of marathon. And now you know … the rest of the story.

Fairplay

On our way back to Colorado Springs, we spotted a couple of rare white bison that stood out from the grazing herd. How rare? One in every ten million bison births supposedly comes out white. How many bison are there in the country? Roughly 30,000. Do the math.

Post hike meal at Sushi Ato. Asked the waiter what the Japanese writings on the chopsticks said and the reply was I’m Chinese. Other than that, the food could pass for Japanese.

Photos taken by Andy Wiegand and yours truly. Not necessarily in order.

Note: I have been made aware that some hikers have been using my blog as a hiking guide and getting lost on the trails. Please note that this blog was made to document the hike for the crew(s) that did it. That is why some of my comments will seem to have no relevance or meaning to anybody outside of the crew(s) that hiked that trail. My blog was never meant as a hiking guide, so please do not treat it as such. If you find inspiration and entertainment from these hikes, that is more than enough. If you plan on replicating these hikes, do so in the knowledge that you should do your own research accordingly as trail conditions, access, legalities and so forth are constantly in flux. What was current today is most likely yesterdays news. Please be prepared to accept any risks and responsibilities on your own as you should know your own limitations, experience and abilities before you even set foot on a trail, as even the “simplest” or “easiest” of trails can present potential pitfalls for even the most “experienced” hikers. One should also always let somebody know of your hiking plans in case something doesn’t go as planned, better safe than sorry.