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| Lost hikers? |
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| New washing machine |
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| Brrrrrrr |
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| New style |
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| Studly |
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| Uhm..... |
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| Not a ground hog |
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Rocky Mountain National Park
Took a drive through Rocky Mountain National Park over Trail Ridge Road and down into Estes Park (and had ice cream). He are some pictures
Monday, July 4, 2011
Square Top Mountain Hike and Guanella Pass Camping 4th of July
Description:
Luckily there were no scenic views, lots of wildflowers or was a great achievement so leaving out camera on the kitchen table was no big deal. NOT!!
On the way up we stopped at a King Soopers and bought a $14 camera.
The day of the Hike! Planning on being on the trail by no later than 7.30am we left the camper at 9.30. The trail head is at the top of Guanella Pass on the west side. Full parking lots when we arrived, we did find a place. Putting on our full packs with some extra water and Cliff Bars we started out.
The trail descends from the start to a marshy crossing and then stays fairly level for a bit. The first slight ascent is a gradual climb up the trail that you feel but its not to bad. Once on top it is the first sight of SNOW!!! Crossing a snow field in July of course led to snowballs flying. From the end of the snow field there is a small climb over a hill when you first see the lower of the Square Top Lakes. Heading south from the lake we see the sign for Square Top Mountain but there is another snow field. Staying below the massive glacier (not really) we go around it and start the real ascent. After the first huff-and-puff climb we break for lunch overlooking both Square Top Lakes. Directly to the east we see Mt. Bierstadt and Mt. Evens.
By this time we were grateful that we had long sleeve clothing or jackets on. With the breeze it was cool. Looking up all along the way we kept thinking we were getting closer than we were; but we chugged onward. Right after lunch we started the steepest ascent. Looking up was a bummer so we just started one foot after another and kept moving. Oh, one thing of note, there was no oxygen in the air! The entire breathing thing was not available.
As we neared the top of this climb, Katherine and I ran into a man coming down. I asked if the 7-11 was at the top and he laughed telling us that we still had a way to go but we could make it. He did tell us to reach the stacked rocks in the distance and then head west up the slope (cliff) to reach the summit. This was awesome advice that we would later find out. Right above us was the east part of the ridge and a false summit. He was completely impressed with Katherine and called her a mountaineer!
Reaching the rock pile, Katherine placed the "Teklits" rock on the top and we all recited a Peruvian Mountain chant.
Then we started the final ascent! Taking about 30 steps and then stopping to catch out breathe and then going on we reached the top in about 40 days and 40 nights. This last part took awhile and it hurt but we made it. Dropping our packs toward the east end of the ridge we took a Gatorade and hiked across the ridge line to the summit. Another stack of rocks marked the elevation of 13,740 feet. We each found a rock and put it on the pile saying "Namaste" at Katherine's suggestion (yoga classes this past spring; we did not do any yoga, but did feel a bit rejuvenated).
From the summit the 360 degree views were unreal. To the east was Bierstadt and Evans. South was Pikes Peak to the Fairplay valley to the 14ners near Buena Vista. West was the whole range of mountains in South Park to North Park. Just WOW!
Since it was about 2.30pm we decided to get down even though the weather was perfect. We went down just about the same way we went up but we were all hurting and dragging. Of course our packs were not lighter since they were full of rocks!
The hike back did seem like it tripled in length. When we returned it was great! High fives were given and Katherine climbed her first Mountain!!! Only 260 feet short of 14,000.
Side note: later that night, Tylenol count - Katherine 1, Patti 4, Kirk 6
Special Added Bonus:
Katherine recorded a video on her camera (VTech, orange) the day after with Square Top Mountain in the background describing the hike. Turn the sound way up, hard to hear it.
The Photos:
coming soon
Luckily there were no scenic views, lots of wildflowers or was a great achievement so leaving out camera on the kitchen table was no big deal. NOT!!
On the way up we stopped at a King Soopers and bought a $14 camera.
The day of the Hike! Planning on being on the trail by no later than 7.30am we left the camper at 9.30. The trail head is at the top of Guanella Pass on the west side. Full parking lots when we arrived, we did find a place. Putting on our full packs with some extra water and Cliff Bars we started out.
The trail descends from the start to a marshy crossing and then stays fairly level for a bit. The first slight ascent is a gradual climb up the trail that you feel but its not to bad. Once on top it is the first sight of SNOW!!! Crossing a snow field in July of course led to snowballs flying. From the end of the snow field there is a small climb over a hill when you first see the lower of the Square Top Lakes. Heading south from the lake we see the sign for Square Top Mountain but there is another snow field. Staying below the massive glacier (not really) we go around it and start the real ascent. After the first huff-and-puff climb we break for lunch overlooking both Square Top Lakes. Directly to the east we see Mt. Bierstadt and Mt. Evens.
By this time we were grateful that we had long sleeve clothing or jackets on. With the breeze it was cool. Looking up all along the way we kept thinking we were getting closer than we were; but we chugged onward. Right after lunch we started the steepest ascent. Looking up was a bummer so we just started one foot after another and kept moving. Oh, one thing of note, there was no oxygen in the air! The entire breathing thing was not available.
As we neared the top of this climb, Katherine and I ran into a man coming down. I asked if the 7-11 was at the top and he laughed telling us that we still had a way to go but we could make it. He did tell us to reach the stacked rocks in the distance and then head west up the slope (cliff) to reach the summit. This was awesome advice that we would later find out. Right above us was the east part of the ridge and a false summit. He was completely impressed with Katherine and called her a mountaineer!
Reaching the rock pile, Katherine placed the "Teklits" rock on the top and we all recited a Peruvian Mountain chant.
Then we started the final ascent! Taking about 30 steps and then stopping to catch out breathe and then going on we reached the top in about 40 days and 40 nights. This last part took awhile and it hurt but we made it. Dropping our packs toward the east end of the ridge we took a Gatorade and hiked across the ridge line to the summit. Another stack of rocks marked the elevation of 13,740 feet. We each found a rock and put it on the pile saying "Namaste" at Katherine's suggestion (yoga classes this past spring; we did not do any yoga, but did feel a bit rejuvenated).
From the summit the 360 degree views were unreal. To the east was Bierstadt and Evans. South was Pikes Peak to the Fairplay valley to the 14ners near Buena Vista. West was the whole range of mountains in South Park to North Park. Just WOW!
Since it was about 2.30pm we decided to get down even though the weather was perfect. We went down just about the same way we went up but we were all hurting and dragging. Of course our packs were not lighter since they were full of rocks!
The hike back did seem like it tripled in length. When we returned it was great! High fives were given and Katherine climbed her first Mountain!!! Only 260 feet short of 14,000.
Side note: later that night, Tylenol count - Katherine 1, Patti 4, Kirk 6
Special Added Bonus:
Katherine recorded a video on her camera (VTech, orange) the day after with Square Top Mountain in the background describing the hike. Turn the sound way up, hard to hear it.
The Photos:
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| Starting out near the trail head |
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| Snow in July! |
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| Hi mom, no we don't have snowballs. |
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| Duck! No, not with that aim. |
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| Maybe a bit closer. |
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| View from the trail. |
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| Pretty, kinda weird flowers. |
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| Close up. |
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| Mt. Bierstadt and Evans, looking west from the trail. |
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| Upper Square Top Lake |
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| Lower Square Top Lake, our lunch break views |
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| Uhg, our first part after lunch. Steeper than it looks and it looks steep. |
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| From the top of this section waiting for Patti |
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| Starting out for the summit. So much up, so little air. |
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| Blue flowers all over |
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| We made it! Woo Hoo |
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| All of us at the summit! |
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| Looking south west into South Park |
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| Looking west |
The Details:
Date: 7.2.2011
Location: Square Top Mountain, west of Guanella Pass
Trail: Square Top Lakes, Square Top Mountain, no-trail to summit
Hiking Partners: Patti, Katherine, Inu the dog
Packs: Full day packs, loaded, hydration packs, extra water and snacks
Recommended Maps: National Geographic, Square Top Mt. GPS Track WG584 Zone 13S
Distance Hiked: ~6.5 to 7 miles
Elevation gain: 2316 feet
Difficulty: moderate to the lakes, then the elevation starts. The ascent is difficult just due to the steepness and elevation (and lack of air). Not tough terrain but ...
Departure time: 9.30am
Return time: 5.00pm
Weather: absolutely perfect. clear sky, temperature in 60s, slight breeze. Very sunny (some sunburns on uncovered areas or missed sun screen areas)
The Route:
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