Almagre Amble

Casual hike up Almagre Mountain; 12,367; south of Pikes Peak; 7/21/13

Shirley's #63 celebration hike.

We drive to 11,800

and begin our hike up a run out jeep road (this would be our hike down that same road)

It gets better

helped by recent rain and sleet

I love that Bristle Cones thrive on the Pikes Peak Massif

The birthday girl in the forest

We skirted the reserviors

and approached the Peak

There were reminders of big brother along the way--reservoirs on the left microwaves on the right, back in the middle with you, again

But, ya just keep focused...

on the summit

 Two of my favorite things

LOVE THEM LITTLE (and sometimes big) FLOWERS

 

 

 

BUSTED!!!

Yeah, I did call in and they are "checking it out"

Wrapped it up with Japanese lunch and Nescafe (Japanese version of very excellent coffee) in Woodland Park.   Kinda of fit in with the cows wading in the reservoir.

Climbing in Eleven Mile Canyon

Granite domes and big rocks 40 miles west of CS.

 We chose Knome Dome (not sure why K instead of G) which is the first rock up the canyon and has some moderate routes.

 

Access requires a little hiking including a refreshing wade around this outcrop.

Since this was only my 2nd time on granite I started very tentatively but got some confidence quick.

Shane led Waterslide (5.9); Sleeping Beauty (5.8) and Tourists and Fishermen (5.8) and I lead Kiddo Climb (5.5) -- well, I guess that says it all.

 We're outa here.

Pikes Peak Summit Hike

Manitou Springs/Barr Trial to Pikes Peak Summit

12.5 miles; 7,500' elevation gain; 5:40

5AM start--still dark but not cold.

Up hill starts immediately and ends at the top.

Sunrise is a cosmic event--check it out.

Some choose (try) to sleep in.  I've always wondered about why one would pitch a tent in the trail.

3 miles into it.

Columbine

Pikes Peak Penstemon

Monument Gentian

Halfway there--sorta.

Yup, it was a blue shirt day.

Note to self:  start wearing looser shirts and longer pants.

You gotcher big picture

And, ya gotchur little picture.

Passing timberline

Passing at timberline

After all, it's just a big pile of rocks.

That was an airplane!

Forget-Me-Not  -- OK!

Summit looking SE

Summit looking N

Summit archeology--my favorite part of the visitor center.  We miss out on the famous donuts and getting a sweatshirt.

 And, then, we're just four more tourists.