We Do Stuff: July 2023

July 15, 2023

Hueferano Peak 13,828'

Iron Nipple 13,500'

When I asked Hazel what she wanted to do this weekend, she said "climb a mountain, a big, huge one!" I agreed that it would be great to get outside and suggested to Laura that we attempt one of our few remaining Centennial peaks of Colorado, Huerfano Peak. I texted our friend Isaac and told him to gather Nicole and the kids and meet us down there.

We all met at the trailhead Friday evening, relaxed for a few hours and crashed for an early wake up call. I slept outside on the ground and without a tent, was bothered by mosquitos and flies, but was treated to the big dipper constellation moving across the sky and eventually below the horizon. It was surprisingly large that night and felt closer than ever before.

We all woke early in the morning and got moving around 5 am. Hazel's only comment was that it was still dark outside but that didn't stop her from wanting to hike with us. She hiked the first 2 miles before deciding she wanted to be carried for a while. Laura carried her much of the remaining miles and to the summit of the Iron Nipple. From there, I took over and hauled her up to the summit of Colorado's 93rd highest summit.

The hike out was uneventful and Hazel walked several more miles after crossing the last stream on the way back to the car. We're proud of our little girl and how she goes along with just about anything...probably because she thinks sleeping in cars at trailheads, waking up in the dark, hiking all day and wading through freezing rivers on your way to a mountain top is what everyone does on a Saturday.

Headed out early in the morning

Interesting stream crossing

There were lots of beautiful wildflowers including many columbines

Enjoying the hike

Justin and Isaac on the ridge with Mount Lindsey in the background

Hazel and I near the summit of the Iron Nipple

Having fun on a mini knife edge on the Iron Nipple with Mount Lindsey in the background

We made it! Summit of the Iron Nipple.

Hazel celebrating the climb

Hazel wanted more pictures

Descending off the Iron Nipple

Justin, Hazel and Isaac approaching the summit of Huerfano Peak

Summit number two, Huerfano Peak

The whole gang on the summit

Working around the Iron Nipple on the return trip

The Iron Nipple

Hazel at the bent tree

Justin cooling off in the creek

Hazel thought she wanted to walk across until she realized how cold the water was

Hazel and I reaching the trailhead

Relaxing after the hike

We saw so many beautiful wildflowers on this trip

Mayflower Gulch Traverse

July 1, 2023

Laura and I were up at the cabin for the weekend and looking to get on a mountain, I suggested we attempt the Mayflower traverse. I thought it would be fun to approach by climbing a snow couloir we've eyed in the past - Atlantis couloir on Atlantic Peak. To save miles, we asked Laura's mom and Hazel to help us leave a car at the Blue Lakes trailhead and drop us off at the McCullough gulch trailhead. We approached through Mccullough Gulch and along the north side of Quandary peak and upon reaching Atlantis couloir at the end of the basin, were pleased with the still excellent snow conditions. The snow climb was fun and uneventful and we were soon on the ridgeline. Crampons off, we scrambled along and below the ridgeline for several hours, eventually reaching Fletcher Peak. The day was perfect and we were back to Blue Lakes trailhead by early afternoon.