My 100th 13er/14er summit - Clinton/McNamee/Traver Peaks - July 2024

 Starting on Longs Peak in college, it's taken me about 20 years to reach 100 differently named summits of peaks over 13,000 ft.  The hiking partner that I've done the most mountains with is my good buddy Brad.  He and I went for a hazy day triple this time up by Breckenridge.  All the haziness was due to the wildfires  from Canada.  We hiked a few miles up to Wheeler lake.  From that point on, it was all off trail on tundra and talus.  The steep climb up Clinton was work, but the rest of the loop was pretty easy going. 

Mt. Democrat

Heading up Clinton

Quandary Peak from Clinton's summit

Looking down on Climax Mine from Clinton's summit

McNamee (right) and Trevor (left)

100th Summit - McNamee Peak

Traver Peak

Old junk left all over the place on these peaks from mining activity

Once we reached the summit of our third and final peak of the loop hike, I realized I forgot my camera on the McNamee peak's summit.  Doh!  Guess we have to repeat that one!  

There it is!

Not excited to hike to the top of Traver again for our 5th summit, we figured out a way to bail between the saddle between Traver and McNamee.  Then the long talus stroll back to Wheeler lake. 

Looking back

Wheeler Lake

Near the lake, there are some falls that we decided to call "Paradise Falls".  They may have an official name, but we don't care.  We will forever call them by our renamed name. 

First 13er for the Kids

Last weekend was the first 13er for the Spong and the Coffin kids.  We chose a relatively straightforward route up UN 13,541 that began nice and high on Independence Pass.  I was a little concerned when we arrived that the clouds were looking like they might rain.  We did get a little sprinkle, but it eventually burned off and made for a pleasant stroll.

Gloomy Castle Peak in the distance

To keep the little ones motivated along the hike, they conveniently found little "gems" along the trail.  The boys showed no sign of fatigue throughout the whole hike.  Once we reached a good spot not too far from the summit at around noon, we could see the clouds beginning to build upward and knew we could soon be in trouble with thunderstorms.  We decided to split up to a fast moving group that would summit and a slower moving group to stop here and then head back.  The ladies decided to stop and the boys went on. 

Girl Summit!

Grizzly Peak

La Plata

Twining Peak

We did get a little bit of tiny hail balls on the way down, but we were prepared to take cover in the bushes.  On the drive back along the road there was a marker pole that was sticking diagonally into the road.  We had to swerve into the oncoming lane in order to miss it.  Whew... close one!  Wait, a little while later we found T&D's sprinter van pulled over.  We stopped to find out what was going on.  Apparently, they didn't see that marker pole on their way down and it smashed their rear view mirror.  They figured out a way to tape it back on and had a good attitude about it.  

Overall it was a great hiking/camping trip with good friends and good food and good times.

Return to Uncompahgre Peak - July 2024

 

There was a group of friends we had scheduled to do a 14er hike last week, but right at the last minute, they all bailed for one reason or another.  So J and I got to have some good bro time and decided to drive a little farther and climb on of my favorite San Juan peaks. I no longer have a 4 wheel drive vehicle, so we backpacked 4 miles up the 4 wheel drive road to the upper trailhead and hung out with a campfire.  

We woke for an early start as there was a chance of thunderstorms before noon that day.  As we reached treeline, we were rewarded with a colorful sunrise on the mountain.  I ran ahead to take some photos off the trail in the wildflowers.  J must have missed me and hiked way up the trail figuring I had gone farther ahead.  I didn't notice him passing on the trail and we got separated.  I went a ways back down the trail and couldn't find him, so I figured he must have went up ahead.  I finally caught back up to him as he was heading toward the saddle.  Whoops!  

Nellie Creek

Uncompahgre Peak Wildflower Sunrise - Prints available

Once on the ridge around 8 am, it began to rain a bit and became quite windy.  We continued up through it because it looked to us like those rain clouds would soon burn off.  After some unfriendly warnings to turn back from other hikers, the clouds did indeed burn off and the weather turned out to be very nice for the rest of the hike. We enjoyed some fun little scrambles toward the summit.  The top of this mountain is one of the most interesting with some of the best views IMO.  There is a spot where you can stand and the cliff below looks like it drops about 2000 feet and gives some good butterflies. 

Wetterhorn Peak

Handies Peak

Sneffels (right of center)

Precipice Peak

Dragon's Back?

We had some great conversations on the way back down including creating our own "rules for men".  For example, a man should never dye his hair for any reason.  A man should know how to shoot a gun and start a campfire.  A man should do at least 80% of the driving on family road trips (our wives don't like to drive)...etc...etc.    I'm thankful for the good memories and a fun and rare hike with my brother, especially with how busy he is with his business - Dry Out Restoration. 

Nellie Creek Falls

About half way down as we were packing out on the road a friendly couple from Texas who owned some land in the area offered us a ride the rest of the way down. Thanks Texas couple!  You saved our knees some soreness.