Collegiate Peaks Campout

After setting up our camp, everyone got together, at our site, to decide on plans for our first full day of hiking.

Of course, decisions are better made with an adult beverage and some snacks.

Bill is enjoing the decision making process

Susan is consulting the map. Each day we had 3 or 4 different hikes (or kayak trips) for the nearly 30 people in our group.

Brooks enjoying himself.

OK, on to the hiking. Seven of us decided to tackle nearby Mt. Elbert, highest peak in Colorado. We arrived at the trailhead a few minutes after sunrise, too confused to pose for a proper group shot.

Bobby at Steve on the trail. We managed to take all the correct turns.

The lower part of the route passes through nice stands of aspen.

This portion of the trail has been rerouted, and barriers put up to prevent short-cutting.

As we climb, we began to get views down to TwinLakes. There was a fair amount of smoke from wildfires, both nearby and further west.

Approaching timberline. So far, the hike hasn't been bad, even though we've come up nearly 2000 ft already.

Our first view of Mt Elbert's summit. It's still a LONG way to go.

After nearly 3 hr of steady climbing, we are approaching the top. See the tiny people up there? I was moving fairly slow here, at above 14,000 ft.

Susan and Steve heading for the summit. The trail grade was not too steep, but consistently up.

Finally, I'm at the summit. The highest point between Mt Whitney in California and Mont Blanc in Europe!

View from the summit of Mt Elbert, looking north west.

Part of the crowd on Mt Elbert. It's definitely popular. Easy to get to the trailhead, and the climb isn't too bad.

Bob posing for his summit photo.

And Steve.

Another view from atop Mt Elbert. We were really lucky with the weather.

On the descent. You can see that it is a long way down.