Ptarmigan Peak (13,739′) & Weston Peak (13,572′) | Colorado | 06/19/21

Ptarmigan Peak (13,739') & Weston Peak (13,572') San Isabel & Pike National Forests | Twin Lakes, CO 06/19/21 | 4.65 miles | 2,144' gain | YDS Class 2 I had a bad feeling when I still hadn't heard from Allie an hour into my drive. We were meeting up to climb a peak near Buena …

Mount Parnassus (13,574′) | Colorado | 06/17/21

Mount Parnassus (13,574') | Arapaho National Forest Dillon, CO | 06/17/21 | 7.12 miles | 3,273' gain | YDS Class 2 The mountains don't tend to follow our pathetic human calendars, so while true summer wouldn't start for a few more days, mountain summer had already arrived in full force. Winter's snow had melted, creeks …

Elk Falls | Colorado | 06/10/21

Elk Falls | Staunton State Park Pine Junction, CO | 06/10/21 | 11.98 miles | 1,806' gain It's not too often that I hike to a waterfall, so I was excited to finally get up to Elk Falls with Diana. (It'd only been on my to-do list for years.) As far as Colorado waterfalls go, …

2021 Recap

2021 was the year of trying to be thankful for what I have. Easier said than done when plan after plan was cancelled due to weather, health issues, or the everlasting Covid-19. But I was still able to go on a few short trips with friends, and of course hike a ton. January - my …

The Magnolia Mill & Montgomery Reservoir | Colorado | 06/06/21

We decided to take it easy on Sunday and explore some of the local sites near Allie's parents' house in Alma. First up was the Magnolia Mill and Montgomery Reservoir. This site is right off Highway 9 between Alma and Breckenridge, just below Hoosier Pass. I have driven past countless times without stopping, but it's …

Antora Peak (13,269′) | Colorado | 06/05/21

Antora Peak (13,269') | Rio Grande National Forest Villa Grove, CO | 06/05/21 | 5.86 miles | 2,621' gain | YDS Class 2 It was dry, dry, dry down in the southern half of the state, so Allie and I planned to hike an easy 13er down by the San Luis Valley. Antora Peak was …

Chicago Lakes | Colorado | 06/03/21

Chicago Lakes | Mount Evans Wilderness & Arapaho National Forest Idaho Springs, CO | 06/03/21 | 10.04 miles | 1,862' gain Mid-June typically marks my transition from low-elevation winter hikes to high-elevation summer hikes. There's usually still a bit of snow to contend with, but this spring was pretty dry and early June was already …

Mount McConnel (8,020′) | Colorado | 05/27/21

Mount McConnel (8,020') | Cache la Poudre Wilderness & Roosevelt National Forest Livermore, CO | 05/27/21 | 4.98 miles | 1,577' gain | YDS Class 2+ Although it's not all that far from me, I hadn't explored very far up the Poudre Canyon (SH 14). It seems that it's always been my friend Tori suggesting …

Custer State Park Scenic Loop | South Dakota | 05/22/21

After climbing to the highest point in South Dakota - Black Elk Peak - Diana and I continued further into Custer State Park. We moved out of hiker mode and into tourist mode, ready for an afternoon of scenic drives, overlooks, wildlife spotting, and Visitor Centers. A foggy Sylvan Lake Our journey started at the …

Black Elk Peak (7,242′) | South Dakota’s State High Point | 05/22/21

Black Elk Peak (7,242') | Custer State Park & Black Elk Wilderness Custer, SD | 05/22/21 | 7.86 miles | 1,651' gain After a cold and foggy hike to North Dakota's high point, Diana and I hoped for clear weather the next day when we would hike to South Dakota's high point. Even with all …