Me: Got up at 3:30am. No rain so I drove to camp to pick up Rich. The trailhead was close to camp so we were hiking by 5am. Blue skies with fog over the peaks.
The higher we got, the steeper, colder and foggier. Today we were attempting to do two 14,000' peaks and needed the weather to hold out.
There is the top of Mt. Belford.
Made it. No view but we didn't mind.
Just happy to be at the top.
Mt. Belford: 14,197 ft.
Had a quick bite and kept moving...
Mt. Belford: 14,197 ft.
Had a quick bite and kept moving...
On to the 2nd peak; Oxford. We had to hike another mile, descend 500 feet and climb back up to the summit. It was hard to make out the trail. Though the weather was cold, foggy and moist, it was not threatening rain storms.
Beautiful flowers! I wish I knew the names of them.
White flowers growing through the rocks.
Found the top of Oxford!
We were the only ones there.
Yes! Mt. Oxford: 14,153 ft.
My 6th summit in 6 days! I'm tired. :-)
My 6th summit in 6 days! I'm tired. :-)
On our trek back down we saw 7 Grouse. I think that's what they are called. Can you see them in the above photo (click on pic to enlarge). High mountain turkeys hanging out at 14,000 feet.
In order to get back down we had to cross back over Mt. Belford (the 1st peak).
Despite taking a wrong turn that cost us time and extra climbing, we got back on track and found our way again. The fog was tricky.
The lower we got the clearer the view.
Beautiful valley below.
Clear mountain stream.
Success! Mt. Belford AND Oxford: check!
What a GREAT time exploring the Collegiate Peaks. So thankful the weather cooperated for all our hiking days. Now to Telluride to meet Bob! Woo hoo. :-)
WOW...what a day....two climbs in one day...you are amazing!!!
ReplyDeleteIt was a tough day but we were motivated to get it done. The fog and cold at the top was unlike any of our other hikes. But, really neat in it's own way.
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