Weekend Adventure Part 2

 July 17, 2022

It was a sunny Colorado Sunday morning, and we already had a plan.  Today my wife and I would retrace our steps from yesterday and then explore a ridge and mountain that has become a familiar view from home.  After studying the topographical map and doing a few quick calculations, we realized that our planned popsicle loop route would make for a long day.  Estimating at least 10 miles and well over 3,000 ft of elevation gain, I decided to eliminate the cast iron pots and take a reasonable pack with me.

Moving more quickly than yesterday with a combination of purpose and reasonable loads, we reached our treeline point after climbing about 1,500 ft in less than an hour and a half.  Treeline in Colorado lies roughly between 11,000 ft and 11,500 ft depending on slope aspect.  It’s a favorite range for me to hang out in and explore because of the specialized things that live there.  Trees and plants are stunted and grow lopsidedly to the downwind side.  Bristlecone Pines can be ancient and show an amazing tenacity for living in a harsh environment.  This tree is probably 1,500-2,000 years old and is still clinging to life despite being mostly barren of needles. 

Moving off trail and onto the ridge, we get a better view of what lies ahead.  It’s mostly gentle uphill travel for another thousand feet or so and then the rocky ridge begins.  We keep one eye on the clouds on the way up since thunderstorms form quickly over the Continental Divide.  Lightning is a real threat and obviously increases the higher we travel.

The scrambling was fun and intermixed with small patches of grass to give us a break as we ascended.  Views to the north, east and south continued to open up and the feelings of height and exposure sharpened our senses.  A stumble and fall up here most likely wouldn’t be fatal but it sure would hurt.

Unfortunately, there are no photos of the liveliest scrambling.  Our 70# Doberman Pinscher Tessa is getting older and making sure she was safe during that part was our focus.  After the steep rocks, she was rewarded with a snow field to rest and hydrate on.

Having gained over 3,000 ft of elevation and worked through the steepest part of the day, we picked up our pace for a long ridge walk.  The next few miles would take us over three Continental Divide peaks and as we continued, views to the west revealed themselves.  We were surrounded by mountains on a mostly windless day at 13,000 ft.  These are the days that make me feel grateful for living in such a beautiful place.

Most of the route can be seen here as a counterclockwise horseshoe ridgeline.  We will continue straight along the gentile ridge and then switch back and follow the basin below clockwise until eventually traversing back onto the adjacent ridge and closing a loop.

The wildflowers were fantastic in the basin below which helped take our minds off our tired feet.  We still had many miles to go with a bit more climbing before finally reaching the switchbacks.

The day ended with a quick 1,500 ft drop in elevation back to the car where our flipflops were waiting.  All in all, a great day in the mountains.

So, you may be wondering why we’re chasing elevation gain and carrying cast iron pots around Colorado.  The answer is that we are leaving at the end of August to climb Mount Manaslu.

More on that later.....