The Pass

Last Saturday, I went for a hike along the Continental Divide Trail north of Monarch Pass. I hiked all the way to Bald Mountain. (12,851 Ft.) It was a round trip of 12 miles. Most of it was at or above tree line. If you’re reading my blog looking for hiking ideas, I suggest starting at Old Monarch Pass. It will save a couple of miles on the roundtrip. Plus, the section from Monarch Pass to Old Monarch Pass is below tree line. Anyway, here are the pictures.

View of Bald Mtn from Monarch Ski Area

Flowers and Trail

The trail to Bald Mtn

Bald Mtn

Deer on the side of Bald Mtn.

View from the top

Mt Aetna

Waterdog Lakes, Monarch Ski Area, & Monarch Pass

No Retreat No Surrender

I went for a good hike on Saturday. I climbed Horn Peak (13,450 ft.) in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. I’m not really in shape for 13ers at the moment. I was breathing fine, but the altitude was messing with my energy levels. However, I fought the desire to stop and made it to the top. It was worth the effort because the view was outstanding. Horn Peak doesn’t get a whole lot of traffic. I saw three other people going up as I was going down. That was it. Not bad for a Saturday on a holiday weekend. Here are the pictures.



An Elk taking notice of me






Horn Peak




Zoom View from the top of the Crestone Group and Kit Carson Mtn.



Dry Lakes with Little Horn Peak and a bunch of 14ers in the background




Mt Adams & Fluted Peak




The way up Horn Peak and the Wet Mountain Valley




One of the Dry Lakes






Me





Flowers and Rocks







Columbine