Redcloud and Sunshine Peaks, both fourteeners in the San Juan Range, can be done together, but the only way down is to climb Redcloud again on the return. A long day, 12 miles and 4,800' elevation gain. Emme, the amazing Australian Terrier, did all three summits, 9 ½ hours effort and she's 10 ½ years old.
Wetterhorn notches up in difficulty the fourteener adventures. This climb was done with the leadership of Andy Mishmash, a friend and highly accomplished Class 5++ ice and rock climber.
Mt. Evans is the closest and one of the most visible peaks to Denverites. It has a paved road to within 130’ of the summit, the highest in North America.
However the climbing approach to the Mt. Evans summit takes the more circuitous and challenging route that summits Mt. Bierstadt first, then traverses a ridge called the Sawtooth all the way to the Sawtooth.
Grays Peak is the highest U.S. peak on the Continental Divide. High winds almost blew us off Torreys!
A nice 14er, not too aggressive. Now we’ve done all the South Park 14ers!
Starting in Ouray, a Colorado classic western town in the San Juan Range; Hiking, climbing one of the most picturesque of Colorado’s peaks over 14,000’ altitude.
La Plata is a bigger climb - 4500’ of vertical, 10 miles roundtrip, rocky underfoot and can have some snow on the route. It is close to Aspen but without the loose rock of the Elk Range.
Uncompahgre Peak from the Nellie Creek trailhead is not difficult, but a great day’s outing with sheer beauty all around. The San Juans sport some of the most beautiful mountain scenery of all the ranges in Colorado, although no single mountain would rival the Maroon Bells for volume of photo count.
An Aspen Times article announced that Emme, our Australian Terrier, was going to attempt four of the state’s peaks over 14,000’ as a fundraiser for the Animal Aspen Shelter and the Canine Health Foundation. She succeeded.summiting Mt. Democrat, Mt. Cameron, Mt. Lincoln & Mt. Bross all in one day.
Yale Mountain is one of the Collegiates in the Sawatch Range accessed from Buena Vista just over Independence Pass from Aspen. I was joined by our Australian Terrier Emme and son Brett, his dog Amos. Emme, at 20 lbs and short terrier legs – was to go on to hike/climb 17 fourteeners, raising funds for the Aspen Animal Shelter.
