Hike for a Hospital

We got a ride back up to Monarch Pass from Salida around midday and headed straight to the store for our last soda and ice cream for a few days. A big storm ran in over the pass and we tried to wait it out for a bit in the store. Eventually the wait became too long so we took an alternate route to boss lake along the highway and a forest road to avoid exposure and risk of lightening strike on the crest of the divide. We set up a communal tarp in the style of a kids fort around a rock and tree for fun and to make the most of the limited camping space.

For 3 days we walked through valleys and over passes - sticking near the divide but not walking directly on it. This was similar in style to the valley-pass-valley pattern of the Sierra Nevada on California, but with much steeper climbs. We played Peruvian wood instruments poorly and dayhiker flew his kite at each pass. We certainly weirded out some day hikers but made a few new friends as well.

The style of trail reminded me a lot of New Zealand, with steep climbs on rocky trail, and great views on tussocky ridges above the tree line. The snow is almost all melted now and we had a sketchy moment where a small rock fall fell between cactus and i from a snow shoot. We were glad that the larger rocks we saw scattered on the snow in front of us weren't the ones that fell as we passed. I am getting used to the elevation and now only the climbs above 12000ft trouble me. However no matter what the elevation is, a 1000m climb will always be a bit of a struggle. On the last day into Twin Lakes we climbed 2 passes with combined climbs and descents of over 12000ft over 22 miles. It may have been the toughest physical day of the trail, but the amazing vistas and sense of accomplishment made it one of the best days of the trail. Cactus and I took a shortcut through a river and a swamp to get to the store faster. We were fortunate that Carl closed late to wait for us, and we were rewarded for the hard day with burritos, ice cream, soda and beer.

The next morning was an off trail hike to the peak of Mt Elbert, the second highest peak in the lower 48. Carl lent us his truck to drive to the trailhead and we left at 3am to summit before sunrise on the 4th of July. We only had to climb 4000ft to get to the 14,440ft summit but it was a steep climb on a cold morning. We carried our sleeping bags up and all huddled together behind a rock wall until the sun came up. It was one of the most beautiful sunrises I have ever seen, and I couldn't think of a better time or place to summit my first 14,000ft peak.

Twin Lakes. Mile 1000. July 4th