Last time we had a Flatlander visitor, Ro & I were inspired to finally leave Boulder County.

2nd visit, time for a 14er…or at least an attempt.  Mount Evans is close to Denver (within 45 minutes), so assumed this 14er a good place to start.  The closer to metro Denver, trails seem to be better marked, bit less wilderness, and littered with other folk also out hiking (not looking for chit-chat, just company in the event of unforeseen trouble).

After an easy drive on a sunny day, we arrived — at the Mt Evans road closure, yeah closure 🙁

9 miles to Summit Lake, 14 miles to Mount Evans.  Come on, pick up the pace — lotta miles ahead of us!

Beautiful lodgepole pines lined our route UP.  Unfortunately with each passing [mile] marker, New Hampshire-based Stephen was wilting — to our high altitude.  The guy’s a cancer survivor but 10,000ft+ elevation was just too much required [climate] acclimation.  After 3 1/2 miles, winter winds began to blow hard — no longer any resistance/barriers from the landscape (treeline almost now gone).  At 4 miles, I shot pics of Echo Lake — frozen, quiet, winter pristine.

Just short of 5 miles, I spotted a rock enclosure just right of our present path.  I yelled encouragement to Stephen that we would be stopping for lunch — the rock wall providing a much needed break from the constant wind.

Bean burrito and sandwich nourishment helped clear my thought process.  Almost 5 miles in, meant almost 5 miles back — with an East Coast mate suffering altitude sickness.  Time to head back!  Our first 14er would have to wait another day.

On THIS day we took in snow, lodgepole pines, multi-coloured tundra, Echo Lake and lunch above 10,000 ft.

Couldn’t be happier to show off my Colorado life to others!   BEST DAY!