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This trip had been in the planning stages when after the aborted second day of our first trip four weeks ago, a backpacking one to the Crestones via Cottonwood Creek, was 'rained out', I promised Chris that I'd take him back...only for a one day TH to Summit lightweight trip.
The trip started in a really cool way. On Wed. I stopped off at the Cherry Creek Farmer's Market where one of my old friends has a booth selling tons of fresh fruit at the Wed and Sat. markets. Chris W. is semi-retired having sold his very successful organic fruit business a few years ago. Now he's a 'simple peddler' of trailer loads of fruit to the public. Chris is also a former CU X-C runner from the late 60's and early 70's and a current ultra-marathoner who runs with Buzz and the Boulder boys. Even though he's recovering from a severe knee injury/rehab, ACL, Miniscus, et al, he's got a new super expensive titanium brace and ready for the peaks. BTW, Chris W. is in great condition and climbs in Montrails. Tough recovery, eh?
We stayed at a luxurious TH house of Chris W's partner in Crestone on Sat night. We awoke early at 2am to hit the TH at 3am. The weather was fairly stable after a late afternoon of intense rain and winds. The mantra 'it's blowing through' worked, eh Chris?
For those attune to the spiritual side of life, the vibe at the house, in Crestone was really neat. I felt it and had a great three hours sleep, albeit in a warm house. LOL
We got on the 'trail' under the light of the full moon and headlamps right at 3am. The trail was fine for the first two miles then it got kind of convoluted in sections. We were ok with it as Junda and I were there four weeks prior and knew the layout. When we got to the turn at 11,200 ft we again had difficulty finding the turnoff to Cottonwood but we finally found it. This was right after we came across this big howling dog that met us with 'open teeth' when these maroons pitched their tent right in the middle of the trail. Go figure. We eventually passed with no harm done to anyone.
The rest of the hike to the basin with the numerous headwalls and rock formations and willows was OK and we got to 11,900 ft above our last camping spot at 6:45 and there we refreshed and took a break.
The trip up to and through the Red Gully was fine but I noticed it had been loosened quite a bit since I was last there, quite a few years ago. Chris W. summited ahead of us as he put the pedal to low gear and motored. I followed then Junda.
The trip down was fine and both Junda and I both banged knees against immovable objects. Ouch. We'll survive. Chris W. scampered down ahead of us with the intention of taking a bath in Cottonwood Creek before our arrival at the TH. When we got there, he emerged from the creek, cool and refreshed.
This trip, a one day affair, is not for the wary or the weak. The elevation gain 5962 ft. 5.5 miles each way, and working through the rocks, headwalls, some bushwacking, and the continuous ascent would be hard for most folks. 14erworld folks would eat it right up.
We three are all over fifty and I was the 'youngest', by one year. Chris W. is even a year older than Junda, if you could imagine that!
There, we three 'young guys' were going well on the trail and the peaks and all came through fine. Chris W. who's recovering and Junda who had doubt in his mind and psyche (that he could do it) but came through a-ok! We were all a little sore on the drive home with Chris W. sawing ZZZZZ's in the back seat and Junda on the pilot mode. 'Kind Of Blue' was playing and I was a very mellow passenger.
It's nice to see the 'older hikers and climbers' still doing things to push their bodies a little. It's the 'toughened' mind that sometimes gets the bodies through.
The summit was a first for both Chris'es. I feel fortunate as this was my seventh time on Crestone Peak's summit by four different routes.
BTW, I'm writing this TR as Junda always kids me that I 'hate' to write 'em. |
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