In A Quandary

Well, it's mid-August and about time for us to do our annual fourteener (peaks in Colorado with summits at least 14,000') hike!  The weather forecast was in our favor,so we decided to tackle Quandary Peak just south of Breckenridge.  Hey, it's only 14,265' and a 3-1/2 mile hike each way.....  Just because the Summit County trail map indicates that the Quandary Peak hike is a 'most difficult' hike, it can't be that bad, and besides, we've had a whole week to rest since conquering 12,500' Ptarmigan Peak last weekend!  Here's the peak as seen from the trailhead.  We started out about 6:30 am, just at sunrise (this shot was taken after we got back).

At about 8:30, we're half-way there - still the toughest part yet to come.  If you look closely, you can see the other hikers going up the ridge on the left.  We've already passed up about 6 or 8 folks (coming down) that started at 2 am and hiked up under a full moon to the summit to watch a meteor shower and the sunrise!  Those folks are crazy (and we're not).



We had plenty of company along the way up.  These guys were much quicker and more agile than us, though.......

A few pika as well.....

We're almost there - the summit is in sight!

We made it'!!!!!

View from the summit - that's why they are called the Rocky Mountains!

Way down there is where we started this morning at the base of Hoosier Pass.

Hey look, it's mid-August and there are lakes below us that are still partly frozen!

Fletcher Mountain sitting at 13,950' and Mount of the Holy Cross (also a 14'er) in the middle background.

 

That's a long ways down!

Looking eastward, we've had our quick lunch and it's time to start our decent back down the mountain.

Still lots of hikers coming up the mountain, our trail goes straight down the spine.

Looks like these guys are just losing their heavy winter fur.

Awesome shots!

We encountered a whole herd of mountain goats with their babies.

Twin kids!

Finally made it back down, time to plan tomorrow's activities!  We felt pretty ambitious, so decided to tackle Vail Pass (from Vail) on our road bikes the following day.  Only a 20 mile trip, but another 'most difficult' route on our map.  Needless to say, we were both pretty tired after this weekend!  I think we'll attempt a couple of less difficult activities next weekend.....

Back at the condo,  the hummers are really enjoying our feeder!