Quartz Ridge Hike, Jul 31, 2012

Quartz-1

The troops are gathering at the trailhead. This is one of the premier hikes in the area, and we had 13 hikers. That's Sue on the left. Here at the trailhead, we are just under 10,000 ft. Colorado, Hike, Pagosa Springs, SJOC

Quartz-2

First part of the hike ascends through open meadows and woodlands. Lots of switchbacks, so the grade, initially, isn't too bad. Colorado, Hike, Pagosa Springs, SJOC

Quartz-3

Judy dropped her sun glasses, and Luke found them, and sprinted up the hill to return them to her. Ah, youth! Colorado, Hike, Pagosa Springs, SJOC

Quartz-4

Orange sneezeweed Colorado, Hike, Pagosa Springs, SJOC

Quartz-5

A little higher, we're in the woods. The shade is nice to have. Colorado, Hike, Pagosa Springs, SJOC

Quartz-6

One of our first views of the Window, the jagged rocks in the center of the photo The trail goes through this opening. Colorado, Hike, Pagosa Springs, SJOC

Quartz-7

But first we have to traverse this long, narrow ridge of busted up volcanic rock. Colorado, Hike, Pagosa Springs, SJOC

Quartz-8

Good views of Blackhead Peak, to the right, and the rocky spire of Nipple Mountain. Both over 12,000 ft. Colorado, Hike, Pagosa Springs, SJOC

Quartz-9

Another view off the ridge, looking at the "backside" of Squaretop Mountain. Colorado, Hike, Pagosa Springs, SJOC

Quartz-10

Rosy Paintbrush, Castilleja rhexifolia; pretty common in the Alpine meadows. Colorado, Hike, Pagosa Springs, SJOC

Quartz-11

Nice view of Coal Mountain under dappled light Colorado, Hike, Pagosa Springs, SJOC

Quartz-12

Our group approaching the Window. The last 700 vertical feet is "breath-taking", in a very literal sense. Colorado, Hike, Pagosa Springs, SJOC

Quartz-13

Boy, they are sure having fun! A rest break at the Window, just about 12,000 ft. Colorado, Hike, Pagosa Springs, SJOC

Quartz-14

Starting down the other side of the Window; the trail here is fairly steep and slippery with small loose gravel. Colorado, Hike, Pagosa Springs, SJOC

Quartz-15

Everyone is walking gingerly down the slippery trail. Colorado, Hike, Pagosa Springs, SJOC

Quartz-16

Here's Sue, hiking carefully down from the Window. Colorado, Hike, Pagosa Springs, SJOC

Quartz-17

Here's our view of Blackhead, with Nipple sort of hidden in the middle of the photo. Colorado, Hike, Pagosa Springs, SJOC

Quartz-18

Time for a lunch break. Just enough cool breeze here that a jacket felt good. But the Alpine views are just stunning. Colorado, Hike, Pagosa Springs, SJOC

Quartz-19

Some nice Mountain Gentians. Colorado, Hike, Pagosa Springs, SJOC

Quartz-20

Time to move on. We're going to hike to the top of "Little Sand" Mountain, just north of the Window. Colorado, Hike, Pagosa Springs, SJOC

Quartz-21

On Little Sand, 12,350 ft. Looking Southeast, with Gunsight Pass more or less in the center of the range on the horizon. Colorado, Hike, Pagosa Springs, SJOC

Quartz-22

Colorado Columbine growing in a rocky crevice. There are plenty of such rocky crevices up here!! Colorado, Hike, Pagosa Springs, SJOC

Quartz-23

Arctic Gentian, Gentiana algida, on Little Sand Mountain. A true Alpine species. Colorado, Hike, Pagosa Springs, SJOC

Quartz-24

Another view of Blackhead and Nipple Mountain. Colorado, Hike, Pagosa Springs, SJOC