Boo ya! Knocked #41 off the list! (Or, I think it’s #41. I need to sit down and do some math…I’m actually not sure!) And even better? I bought a new camera on Friday so I could FINALLY take pictures again! Hooray!! The bad part? The damn camera broke on this trip!!!! Seriously, 3 days after I bought it and this little switch snapped off. Luckily, it broke off while still in photo mode, but I am not a happy camper. This makes 4 cameras in 9 months….can someone throw me a freaking bone here??!
We headed up to Buena Vista on Sunday morning. After meeting everyone at the Dino lots in Morrison, we climbed in the cars and took off. For a change, we actually got moving fairly early and we actually got to BV early–like lunchtime! That was a new record. That gave us time find a place to throw our tents AND enjoy some fine Mexican dining downtown. Cause, you know, there is nothing quite like Mexican food in an all-white mountain town in the middle of the Colorado mountains.
Riiiiiiiiiiight.
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| Tals and my tent |
Anyway, we set up the campsite after heading down some random county roads. We found a great place that would accommodate all of our tents, and even better? It was right by a stream for the pups to play in/drink lots of water out of. I tried to tell Tally that hydration was key, but she was far more interested in the nearby beaver dam. Some things never change.
Got up early yesterday morning to start the hike but it was coooooold! Fall is definitely creeping up at the higher elevations and it took us a bit longer to get moving than anticipated. In the end, we started hiking at 8:30. Fail. So much for an early start!
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| Cindy G. |
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| Craig was pumped to get hiking 🙂 |
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| No, it wasn’t steep or anything. . . |
Regardless of our early start, we started cruising pretty ok. The first half of the hike is below tree line and stays right next to a running stream. Again, this was great for the puppies because they could drink from that instead of the water we were all carrying for them. Once we hit 12,000 feet and popped out of the trees, the stream went bye-bye.
Around 12,500 we started to split into two groups: Peter and I were in the front with Cindy and Craig in the back. Of course, the dogs wanted to stay with the lead group which posed a problem as far as food/water goes. I had only packed enough for Tally while Cindy and Craig were carrying the stuff for Piglet and Steele. I could’ve waited for them to catch up but I didn’t want to break my rhythm. I ended up giving most of my water to the dogs and didn’t save a whole lot for me. I kept figuring I could just get some from everyone at the top. Great plan but it meant I was a wee bit thirsty for awhile 🙂 Good thing I’m like a camel!!
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| Piglet REALLY liked Peter 🙂 |
Mt. Yale involved some steep hiking. There was no technical skills required but the hiking was VERY steep at parts. It was only 4.75 miles to the summit, but that covered 4300 feet of elevation gain. I’m not quite willing to do the math but I’m pretty sure that makes a substantial number of vertical feet per mile. My butt feels it today. So does my back. And my quads. But I digress!
Peter and I hit the ridge and decided to feed the pups and eat a snack there, assuming that the summit would be downright cold and windy. Unfortunately, the ridge was just the same! The wind blowing was so cold, especially for early September, and I was taken back by it. I opened my mouth and one point and a huge gust blew in, momentarily stopping me in my tracks. We were still a few hundred feet from the summit, but from that breath of frigid air, we had the preconceived idea that we were gonna hit the summit, take a few pics, and run back down to a lower (and warmer!) elevation where we would wait for Cindy and Craig. Luckily, the wind was only channeling over the ridge and the summit was toasty! We nestled down behind a little rock wall and hung out quite comfortably while waiting for the rest of our group. In fact, it was so cozy in the sunshine that I almost fell asleep!!
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| Piglet and Steele- finally tired enough to sit for a photo! |
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| Summit cuddle puddle: me and the pups! |
In the end, Mt. Yale was a great peak. All 3 pups were able to summit (although Tals can literally not walk today because she is so sore from all of her running around. I’m guessing she did a good 20 miles!) and it was a hike that anyone with a moderate-high fitness level could tackle. The main problem for me? That was my last non-technical 14er! I’ve only got the technical climbs or the the mountains that are buried 20 miles into the wilderness….looks like I’ve got some serious work cut out for me!
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| I kinda look like a Death Eater from Harry Potter, no?! |
Gotta love a Colorado sky!! How was your weekend??
3 Comments
Sounds like fun! What the heck kinda of camera’s are you buying? I hope you got the warranty so you can get a new one!
It was a Sony! I did buy the warranty, but still. Pretty irritated by the whole thing. I spent about 2 miles of the hike bitching about my bad luck with cameras 🙂
[…] Mt. Yale, CO – Heather from Just A Colorado Gal shared her favorite camping location with us – the base of Mt. Yale, just outside of Buena Vista, CO. She likes it because it deserted, nearby stream for the pups, and a few 14ers right out your door. << I had to look up “14ers”. Us So. Californians are clueless. And I LOVE the picture! […]