Last week was rough on us. I needed some alone time (which the wife takes personally ) so I opted for a familiar region, Indian Peaks Wilderness. This is the area I grew up in. Yech, Nederland still elicits punches through drywall but the mountains are truly my thing. The decision was made on Friday that I would be taking Ridik and Bubba with me. They're my super agile alpine boys, and the Malamutes don't seem to understand what to do in the absence of a clear trail. Add the fact that I didn't want anyone with me and there was no way I could take all four dogs on such a busy trail. Let me tell you, this is a BUSY trail system. When I got up at 4:00am and started getting ready, not one dog budged. They were all dragged outside for a potty break before my departure. When I let them back in I cornered the two lucky ones and the others didn't care. That made a world of difference in my attitude because I felt bad leaving them home. Once it came time to depart, the boys needed hot dogs and coaxing to get outside and into the van...




Chad's beloved (my cursed) "horizontal" highway...


I HATE, no, HATE anything associated with Boulder. Including the namesake canyon full of 30MPH Subarus and Priuses full of rock climbing double parking front range tourists that brake for uphill corners. The town that shaped my sarcastic angry ways...


As you leave the rip in the Earth where all logic dies and hell spews forth, make a right heading to the town (not the ski area) of Eldora. Shortly after leaving the town up the narrow dirt road, the double black slopes of Eldora Mountain's Corona Bowl are clear and look much more manageable than when you're standing over them...


After some 5th amendment inducing activities, the main morning crowd had about fifteen minutes head start on us. We waited just a few moments more to head up right before the second wave clogged the way. The road used to go another half mile into the valley, but now it's closed and dozens of campsites have eroded their way into the previous road bed. It's amazing how fast the ecosystem reclaims what was, and how fast heavily traveled trails look decades old...


Almost immediately the trail is bound by 35-ish degree slopes on both sides. This makes the return trip an interesting affair every single time...


In several areas there are runoff streams that need to be crossed. Nothing terribly hard, but this crossing always has someone there confronting their fears...




State flower FTW! These things are thick up there right now. There's probably two weeks at most of alpine flowering before the low 30's overnight take them away...


Just to give you an idea of the possible hikes up there, this is one of five signs with multiple trail designations on THIS side of Indian Peaks Wilderness. There are ways in from Lake Grandby, Rainbow Lakes/Rocky Mountain National Park, Brainard Lake area and Caribou Pass from Nederland...














Fourth of July Mine. I didn't take any pics of the mine itself since there appeared to be a geology class boring up the scene...


The turnoff is pretty much where treeline is...




Mt. Neva, Lake Dorothy and Arapaho pass in background...






Marmot turds are apparently a delicacy...


Decision time. Nearing the top of the saddle, I chose the easier mountain to the right. South Arapaho Peak looked a bit busy and I wasn't there for the crowds or high point this time...




Starting up the no trail slope towards "Old Baldy". This mountain is visible from nearly every spot along the metro front range. But it looks like part of South Arapaho Peak when seen from a distance. Unless you know it's there, you won't see it against the other peaks in the range...


As we meandered around the summit I noticed a small cairn and we were met by a pleasant surprise. A registry! Apparently this is a recognized and marked summit and no one was within visible sight. Nice...


The view from 13,038 feet...




Pikes peak way the 'F' down there...


Pfft. Boulder...




Longs Peak up north. If I were a mathematician, I would figure out how far I could see north to south. Definitely one of the most impressive panoramas...


Winter Park was just visible past the continental divide. The high peak in the background is Pettingell, the previous weekend's journey...


Zooming in on Gray's and Torrey's peaks (14er's). Been there, done that...


Boulder's watershed. I wanted so dearly to urinate off that side. Alas, character held me back and I drank wine and had lunch with doggies up top for an hour plus...










South Arapaho Peak in all of it's front range imposing glory...




"What the hell was that sound?"...




Glacial runoff makes for a good break...








Now I'm off to find the next destination.

Fin.

Gorgeous pics and excellent commentary as always Harisse. While I could sit here and say I'm jealous, I can't since I'm supremely lazy and have the best of both worlds. I get to enjoy the gorgeous views you're kind enough to share and I don't have to move an inch.

Question, in the picture 5th from the bottom, what's on the rock?

Marmot, Rock Chuck, Pica and Mountain Rat are some of the names I've heard for these things. Mongorians consider them good eats. This year's super moisture has made their population explode, and they're all fat to boot. I can't remember which mountain it is, but there's a marmot that greets people as they reach the summit and pretty much begs for food. They can be malicious too. Never leave anything out even while sitting next to it. They will eat anything including stuff under the hood of your car. Letting a dog whiz on a tire seems to be a pretty easy deterrent.

Stunning scenery Harrise you are very lucky to be able to see it all. I am very envious of you. Looks like you had a beautiful day to. Thanks for sharing.

"30 mph Subaru's and Prius's"?!? First, don't ever compare a Subaru and Prius. Second, I'll race you through that canyon in my little 2.2L.

Hold on, let me make it fair...






...








... Had to add 500 pounds to the Grand Caravan so you don't feel too bad.

You... you're just itching for a warning, aren't you.

Lovely pictures Harise, thank you for sharing them. I was inspired by last weeks adventure to think about climbing Stone Mountain , alas, after checking the website for the Mountain, no dogs are allowed on the hiking trails, or in public places, or on the laser lawn. BLAH! I live 30 mins from the Mountain and I hate I can't take my 'kids' hiking up it.
I look forward to seeing the pictures from your next adventure.

Great Pics! You might want to clarify on the Subaru you are dissing. My old roomates Sti would constantly win it's class at track days here in Columbus.

Not much clarification from me, all Subarus fall into my "pfft" category until the driver proves to me otherwise. Sti's make up a very small portion of the Subarus on the road in Boulder county. Selling them for two years helped to add to my disdain for the "boxer" manufacturer. If it's a Subaru thing, I really don't care to understand. Even turbo Foresters plug along that road at 10-15 MPH under the speed limit. Unless it's a boy-racer type in his WRX variant graciously clearing the State Patrol from my path, Subarus are never driven. They're nursed along no faster than grazing cattle donning a "coexist" branding lest someone forget what herd they're part of. Point and click driving...

YA to all the faster drivers clearing the path for us!!!! I love when someone passes me when I am already going way over the speed limit, im always like I sure hope there is a cop up there to nab you and not me Danielle, my husband and I are all going on a hike sunday and will post our pics! LOVE COLORADO.

Love Pup Layin In Water