Evans, Mount
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elevation:
4,348 m. |
height gain: 225 m. (from the
Spalding-Evans Col) |
area:
Idaho Springs,Colorado,USA |
map USGS 1:24,000 Mount
Evans, CO 39105E6 |
2016-Aug-30 |
Ref: 14ers.com | ||
Summit Lake from
Mount Evans' west ridge. |
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THE
CLIMB Ascent: -West ridge from Spalding-Evans Col class 2 Descent: -North-east face class 2 Hike: RT 5.5 (includes Mount Spalding and The Sawtooth); 1.75 up from The Sawtooth. Mount Evans was my main goal for today but standing on the summit was like a déja vu since I had visited the top yesterday after driving the Scenic Byway. This time though, I hiked up from Summit Lake. This was not a demanding outing but the purpose was to get acclimatized while summiting my first 14er on this trip. To make it interesting, I had planned a loop which included Mount Spalding and The Sawtooth; my descent using the north-east face would complete the loop. Following my side trip to The Sawtooth, I backtracked to the trail along the south side of Mount Evans' west ridge. The cairned trail below the ridge crest is easy to follow even with snow here and there; the main concern was avoiding slipping on the frosty rocks. When I approached the Scenic Byway and the tourist's trail, I started to hear people. I gained the popular trail and reached the top of Mount Evans well before the deteriorating afternoon weather. There was several people sharing the summit and enjoying the view. A couple was having a photo shoot while a guy flew a noisy drone. I was thrilled to be here even if the accomplishment wasn't that grand. The earlier hike to Spalding in the dark and the privilege of witnessing a beautiful sunrise from a lofty viewpoint sure outweighed the fact that I still felt a little bit queasy... at least I didn't have a headache anymore. I stayed at the top for a while taking numerous pictures and talking with fellow hikers. Once satisfied with my summit stay, I came down the tourist trail to the summit parking lot and located the trail on the north-east face. This steep trail took me directly to the paved road below, about a kilometer from Summit Lake. As I hiked down, I noticed clouds forming to the east rather quickly. I walked down the road to the lake's parking lot where I had spent the night, I felt happy about today. I looked forward to driving to Alma and my next trailhead at Kite Lake, tomorrow I was attempting the Decalibron 4-peak circuit; hopefully, I would be feeling better! |
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Following
the cairned trail in the shade with Abyss Lake on my right. |
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Looking
back at Mount Bierstadt (left) and The Sawtooth rising above Mount
Evans' shadow. |
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A
bit of snow remains and the rocks are frosty. |
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Lined
up cairns indicate the way towards the paved Scenic Byway and the
tourist's
summit trail. |
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Nearing
the top on the popular tourist trail. |
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On
Mount Evans for the second time! Mount Bierstadt (left of center) and
West Evans on the right. |
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Mount
Spalding and Summit Lake. |
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A
visitor and I exchange picture-taking favours. |
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Lightning
is a real hazard around summer time in Colorado. |
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Dipping
down the north-east face from the parking lot. |
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A
good trail leads right down to the Scenic Byway. |
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Looking
back up. |
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The
trail is easy to follow and offers a fast descent. |
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Clouds
are moving in rather quickly. |
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On
the road for the final stretch. |
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Back at Summit Lake,
3,914 meters. |
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