September 17, 2023
Rough Roads
I trundled along in the pre-dawn darkness, up the four-mile road along Nellie Creek. The objective: Uncompahgre Peak.
Continue reading “Uncompahgre Peak”Uncompahgre Peak
Handies Peak via American Basin
September 16, 2023
Winter is coming
On my quest to summit every Colorado 14er, the San Juan Mountains have always presented a formidable challenge. The Elks may be slightly deadlier. And the Sawatch slightly more numerous. But the San Juans make up for these shortcomings in sheer remoteness. Getting to Southwest Colorado is just a lot of effort.
Continue reading “Handies Peak via American Basin”Shavano and Tabeguache
September 9, 2023
Fall in the Sawatch
Just north of Poncha Springs, I pulled off US-24, down a series of dirt roads towards the Mount Shavano trailhead. Around 5 am, I donned my headlamp and set off down the trail towards the summit.
Continue reading “Shavano and Tabeguache”Oxford and Belford
August 20, 2023
Back to Missouri Basin
Six weeks after summiting Missouri Mountain, I was back at its eponymous trailhead for two more fourteener targets. Today’s objectives were Oxford and Belford, a classic Sawatch twofer. The forecast called for flawless weather, but the stats were still daunting: nearly 6000 vertical feet over 11+ miles.
Continue reading “Oxford and Belford”Mount Watkins—stunning views above Yosemite Valley
August 5, 2023
East Yosemite
I drove up from Mammoth Lakes. I passed the massive Mono Lake in total darkness, turning off the main road and climbing towards Tioga Pass. Around 5 am I entered the park, passing through Tuolumne Meadows and towards the upper rim of Yosemite Valley. Finally, I arrived at a small dirt parking area, where my hike began.
Continue reading “Mount Watkins—stunning views above Yosemite Valley”Boundary Peak (Nevada High Point)
July 30, 2023
Back to the Owens Valley
My quest to hike all 50 US state high points involves making a lot of excuses. Basically, you need an excuse to visit odd corners of all 50 states. And perhaps the best attitude to facilitate these excuses are truisms like “there’s no time like the present” and, even simpler, “why not?”
Continue reading “Boundary Peak (Nevada High Point)”Missouri Mountain, the Spiciest Sawatch 14er
July 7, 2023
Up and At’em
I hit the trail shortly before 5 a.m. Even on this, one of summer’s longest days, this meant trudging up the lower switchbacks via headlamp. The forecast called for a perfect bluebird day, but even still I always like to start early. If nothing else, you sweat less.
Continue reading “Missouri Mountain, the Spiciest Sawatch 14er”Hiking Beaver Creek’s Overlook Trail
June 18, 2023
Hiking ‘On Resort’ at Beaver Creek
Around 7 am, I wound my way up Village Road toward Beaver Creek’s upscale village complex en route to hike the Overlook Trail. The morning sun flickered through stands of quaking aspens and cast long shadows across the lush golf course. In winter I’d of parked a few miles downhill, in one of Beaver Creek’s $10 day-skier lots. But in summer, the far more convenient Ford Hall Lot is free and open to all.
Continue reading “Hiking Beaver Creek’s Overlook Trail”Pikes Peak from the Crags Campground
June 10, 2023
The Crags Campground
I arrived at the Crags Campground trailhead around 3:45 am. It was June—when hikers are blessed with the longest days of the year. But even still it was pitch black.
Continue reading “Pikes Peak from the Crags Campground”Hoye Crest, Maryland’s highest point
April 15, 2023
Where Maryland meets West Virginia
I sped along the country roads of West Virginia, having just visited the state’s highest summit. I came to a seemingly unremarkable bend in the road, along US 219. A small green sign announced its relevance: “Maryland’s High Point”. I had reached the trailhead.
Continue reading “Hoye Crest, Maryland’s highest point”