Ptarmigan Peak (13,739′) & Weston Peak (13,572′) | Colorado | 06/19/21

Ptarmigan Peak (13,739') & Weston Peak (13,572') San Isabel & Pike National Forests | Twin Lakes, CO 06/19/21 | 4.65 miles | 2,144' gain | YDS Class 2 I had a bad feeling when I still hadn't heard from Allie an hour into my drive. We were meeting up to climb a peak near Buena …

Continue reading Ptarmigan Peak (13,739′) & Weston Peak (13,572′) | Colorado | 06/19/21

Mount Parnassus (13,574′) | Colorado | 06/17/21

Mount Parnassus (13,574') | Arapaho National Forest Dillon, CO | 06/17/21 | 7.12 miles | 3,273' gain | YDS Class 2 The mountains don't tend to follow our pathetic human calendars, so while true summer wouldn't start for a few more days, mountain summer had already arrived in full force. Winter's snow had melted, creeks …

Continue reading Mount Parnassus (13,574′) | Colorado | 06/17/21

The Magnolia Mill & Montgomery Reservoir | Colorado | 06/06/21

We decided to take it easy on Sunday and explore some of the local sites near Allie's parents' house in Alma. First up was the Magnolia Mill and Montgomery Reservoir. This site is right off Highway 9 between Alma and Breckenridge, just below Hoosier Pass. I have driven past countless times without stopping, but it's …

Continue reading The Magnolia Mill & Montgomery Reservoir | Colorado | 06/06/21

Chicago Lakes | Colorado | 06/03/21

Chicago Lakes | Mount Evans Wilderness & Arapaho National Forest Idaho Springs, CO | 06/03/21 | 10.04 miles | 1,862' gain Mid-June typically marks my transition from low-elevation winter hikes to high-elevation summer hikes. There's usually still a bit of snow to contend with, but this spring was pretty dry and early June was already …

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Mount McConnel (8,020′) | Colorado | 05/27/21

Mount McConnel (8,020') | Cache la Poudre Wilderness & Roosevelt National Forest Livermore, CO | 05/27/21 | 4.98 miles | 1,577' gain | YDS Class 2+ Although it's not all that far from me, I hadn't explored very far up the Poudre Canyon (SH 14). It seems that it's always been my friend Tori suggesting …

Continue reading Mount McConnel (8,020′) | Colorado | 05/27/21

Black Elk Peak (7,242′) | South Dakota’s State High Point | 05/22/21

Black Elk Peak (7,242') | Custer State Park & Black Elk Wilderness Custer, SD | 05/22/21 | 7.86 miles | 1,651' gain After a cold and foggy hike to North Dakota's high point, Diana and I hoped for clear weather the next day when we would hike to South Dakota's high point. Even with all …

Continue reading Black Elk Peak (7,242′) | South Dakota’s State High Point | 05/22/21

White Butte (3,506′) | North Dakota’s State High Point | 05/21/21

White Butte (3,506') | Little Missouri National Grassland Bowman, ND | 05/21/21 | 3.44 miles | 451' gain We had a little bit of a rough start to our trip, but hopes were high that the weather would improve and allow us to do some high-pointing. After all, Diana and I had planned this trip …

Continue reading White Butte (3,506′) | North Dakota’s State High Point | 05/21/21