Despite how long the hike took, it was quite easy and mostly on trail. Thing is, we took along a newbie and our pace was
somewhat affected. Rushing someone up a mountain who hasn't been at elevation in years could be trouble. So we moseyed all day long.
Driving I-70 is becoming second nature anymore. The way traffic bunches up around C-470 and the way cruising speeds vary from 45MPH to 75MPH. I also happened to catch wind of a single lane nightmare at the tunnel. At 5:30am it wasn't that bad, but I'm sure the afternoon eastbound was not fun.
In no time we were headed south on HWY 9 and looking for Spruce Creek Road. It's about 2 miles south of Breckenridge and on a blind right curve. Make sure to stay right at the beginning of the hill, and then left at the intersection. Then you'll see a small wooden sign posted under a road sign that says, "lakes and trails". Follow that and you'll be at the lower trailhead before you know it. There's numerous places to park along the roadside for about another 1/4 mile up too. If you feel the need to shave off more distance, you'll need high clearance 4WD to make the upper trailhead 1.9 miles away.
At 6:45am we were geared up and ready to roll. The cool morning temps at elevation had us hurrying to get moving. And by "cool", I mean 28°F. Brrr. Starting a little late gave us some much needed sun on the ascent through the trees. But it also made layering a thoroughly frustrating experience. Got to love some fall hikes!...
We were making fast work of the road portion up to the actual trails. Killing Michelle slowly with each step we took. I just kept the upcoming segments of hiking quietly to myself...
Just shy of two miles is where the 4WD road ends and many foot trails intersect. We took a short break to assess the next segment and the appropriate layers for a long uphill jaunt in 30° temps with full sunshine on top of it...
Keep hiking past the mountain club's exquisite cabin and follow Wheeler Trail to the north (right)...
The trail winds up through the last bit of shrubbery with a few switchbacks. Then there's a LONG (almost 3/4 mile) slog up to a saddle on one of the east ribs of Peak 10. This made for a good resting spot. I had left the rest behind with my patented 'head down, foot forward' technique...
I wanted to think that this was the summit. But that would be contrary to every hike ever...
The view east from our break spot on that small saddle. The small point (12,408') just over yonder...
Oops. It took over ten minutes for Lindsay and Michelle to catch up. Then it was time for their break. This would be the first point at which Michelle was "done, no more"...
Firefighters doing a charity hike on Quandary to the south. At one point we were able to count over 50 people on the upper ridge over there. On our route we had seen four people by that point in the day...
Doggies knew instinctively that rocks were ahead...
The rock field was kinda steep, only a couple hundred vertical and quickly a memory for the descent...
Patented...
Ridi wuvs his mum...
Michelle, "done, no more" part three...
When I crested the ridge for the full summit view, I was relieved. But a rigorous summer of hiking made me forget what it must look like to someone who isn't always up there stomping the talus...
Two hikers about to summit Peak 9...
Doggies trying to coax our third party up the mountain...
Something about seeing a road less than a mile from the summit after a four mile hike just seems wrong...
With the last pitch ahead, I just took off and went for it...
But not as fast as Sioux. He pretty much ran up the rock to the summit. My dumbass didn't notice someone already up there. Piggy loves people, especially hikers that are usually carrying food...
Hardly feeling like I had actually hiked anything, I rose up over the summit cairn and my new nemesis stared right back, taunting me with its still snow free approaches. Mount of the Holy Cross...
SUMMIT!!!
Due to our slower pace we headed back down quicker than normal. By that point in the day we were looking at an almost 6:00pm ETA for home. Crystal Peak should still be there next time...
We found a small pond just before getting back to the 4WD road. The dogs took a break to cool off and I pondered how we will hike longer mountains in the future if we're using all of our water in under 15 miles...
From 28°F to 79°F during the day. Easy hike, but it still felt great to get back to the van and on the way to beers...
Fin.
unless you have just never told me! i need one more hike i have Oct 9 open! wish you all did sunday hikes then i would have the 2nd as well! great pictures! 