Montezuma's Revenge

Montezuma18-09-001

The group starting out, from the Crater lake trailhead.

Montezuma18-09-003

A small succulant with big fall color

Montezuma18-09-004

View down the CDET towards Summit Peak (far left), Montezuma (just visible in the middle) and Long Trek. All but Long Trek are over 13,000 ft; Long Trek is just under 13 (see https://www.4cornerslight.com/Trails-Travel/Almost-13 for our climb of Long Trek this summer).

Montezuma18-09-009

Along the CDT, on the way to 13,128 ft Montezuma Peak.

Montezuma18-09-013

Fall color along the CDT, on the hike to 13,128 ft Montezuma Peak (in the distance).

Montezuma18-09-015

Eugenie and Todd hiking up a ridge to the base of Montezuma

Montezuma18-09-017

Starting the ascent of Montezuma Peak

Montezuma18-09-018

View across the chasm towards Long Trek

Montezuma18-09-021

Some of the group decided not to make the climb

Montezuma18-09-022

Some of us went for it.

Montezuma18-09-023

Bright lichen on the talus jumble of Montezuma's ridge.

Montezuma18-09-024

Jim working his way up the talus. You can see another hiker at the very top, which is a false summit.

Montezuma18-09-025

Talus. Did I mention that many of these blocks move?

Montezuma18-09-026

Susan clamboring over the talus.

Montezuma18-09-027

Susan, Jim and I decided we had enough of scrambling over the rocks. Just 200 ft shy of the summit.

Montezuma18-09-028

The first of our party made it to the top, and decided to descend by a different route.

Montezuma18-09-030

Jim clambering down

Montezuma18-09-031

Susan on the descent. There are some tiny people at the base of the ridge.

Montezuma18-09-032

We joined the tiny people, who were actually became normal sized on our approach.

Montezuma18-09-034

Fall alpine rock garden along the Continental Divide Trail. Fall is coming early to the high country in Southwest Coloraod this year.

Montezuma18-09-035

The group heading back alogn the CDT

Montezuma18-09-039

Another view of Montezuma as we leave the mountain realm.