Kicked in the weekend with an early group run ‘round Boulder Rez in North Boulder – a ‘sweet 16er’.

Held sub-8 pace for 10+ miles, then slogged the hills. Group said their goodbyes at mile 13; soloed the remaining 3 at ‘old man pace’. Need to find an 8:30/9-minute pace group – the young guns are killin’ me.  That’s all.

2 hour nap, pasta carb loaded – reenergized…hiking tomorrow.

Woke late Sunday (7am), made sleep a priority before hitting the highway. Easy hour half drive – I-70 to Idaho Springs Exit 238, today’s hike destination: 13er James Peak.

[in Colorado] 13ers are often treated like the ugly step-sister…only 14er climbs rank a water-cooler boast.  Today’s elevation gain?  4000ft – thousand feet more gain than 14er Bierstadt (my one-day PR: 7800ft, Barr Trail to Pikes Peak in 2012).

Parked at St. Marys Glacier, outside of Alice.  Watched local snowboarders pitch up the impromptu ‘slope’…only in Colorado, right? 🙂

Glacier crossed tethered to Ro, then hiked 2 miles across colourful arid landscape: bushy willow thickets yellowed by cool evening temps, late season wildflowers, orange-hued moss – spectacular pallet of early autumn colour.

Beautiful weather: sunshine, temps in the low 50’s, lotta wind.

Followed the CDT (Continental Divide Trail), bushwhacked briefly, then connected with the well-defined trail up James & neighboring Mount Bancroft.  Hiked this peak in 2012 – bushwhacked that year too.  Consistent I guess 🙁

Wildlife count: marmot, pika & a flock of summer-camouflaged ptarmigan.  These birds will go ‘winter white’ over the next 2 months.

Stayed right of the canyon gulch between Bancroft & James at 12,000ft (whatta view) – then pushed UP the remaining 1000 feet over a maze of switchbacks.  SUMMIT SUCCESS!  Kicked back on a rock shelter & let Ro hunt pika before snapping Peak pics.

One last weekend before fall marathon season.  Running my hometown 10-miler Saturday morning, Louisville’s Coal Creek Crossing – then 3 hours of highway to Leadville.  Hike goal: Mount Massive, 3^rd highest peak in the continental U.S.  Why?  ‘Cause it’s there.

 

Weekend Highs & Lows 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

13er James Peak – 10 mile hike PLUS glacier snow