For the last few weeks, the van's been having issues shifting. In that time we conjured up a kaleidoscope of worst case scenarios: it's the transmission, the fuel pump, a solenoid, something beyond repair, we need to rent a car for a week, we need to buy a new van, we need to quit our winter job and we'll be stuck here forever), and then we made an appointment with our old mechanic in Denver. Turned out the van just needed an old-fashioned tune up and was ready for pickup by the end of the day. We spent the evening in Denver catching up with our buds, then, because we still had two days left of our weekend, packed up the van and went camping!
We chose Huron Peak, a 14,003 foot peak near Buena Vista. With a 4WD vehicle, the trail is only 6.5 miles, but for us, it was 9 miles round trip from the lower parking lot. The hike, though small and easy for a 14er, is a beloved destination because of its mining history, amazing views, and significant distance from any paved roads.
We settled down at a dispersed campsite near the lower parking lot for the night. As we were setting up, we realized we were in forest of bear scratching posts.
We chose Huron Peak, a 14,003 foot peak near Buena Vista. With a 4WD vehicle, the trail is only 6.5 miles, but for us, it was 9 miles round trip from the lower parking lot. The hike, though small and easy for a 14er, is a beloved destination because of its mining history, amazing views, and significant distance from any paved roads.
We settled down at a dispersed campsite near the lower parking lot for the night. As we were setting up, we realized we were in forest of bear scratching posts.
I strapped on the bear spray and we went down the road to explore Winfield, a ghost town only 1/4 mile away that we had to drive through to get to our campsite. The ghost town does have a few residents, and a poster said if you spotted a local they could sell you a booklet about the town, but unfortunately no one was around.
We succeeded in getting up early, and were on the trail by 6:30 am. As we walked up the 4WD road, we wondered if our high clearance van couldn't drive us a little further up the hill. So we turned around, threw our camp into our van all willy nilly, and headed up the trail. We made it maybe half a mile before a gaping hole in the road forced us to pull over and start walking again.
The first mile on the 4WD road was easy. When we got on the trail, we were still deep in the trees and began to climb. We walked up and up and up in the shady trees in the frosty morning air, and kept hoping that the sun was hiding around the next switchback. A few miles in, and we could see the peaks perched above the tree tops. We quickened our pace to the top of the stretch and were rewarded with the sun stretching out over the Collegiate Peak Wilderness.
The first mile on the 4WD road was easy. When we got on the trail, we were still deep in the trees and began to climb. We walked up and up and up in the shady trees in the frosty morning air, and kept hoping that the sun was hiding around the next switchback. A few miles in, and we could see the peaks perched above the tree tops. We quickened our pace to the top of the stretch and were rewarded with the sun stretching out over the Collegiate Peak Wilderness.
Up, up, up, and we were rewarded once again, this time with a lush meadow that lead to the saddle between Huron and Browns Peak.
The final push was steep, as mountains commonly are, but it was well worth the view.
And then, as one must, we headed back.