IntrepidXJ
Explorer
Friday - Sunday, July 5-7, 2013
The Original Trip Report on ADVENTR.CO
My plans this weekend were to drive over to the Tenmile - Mosquito Range so that I could climb at least one 14er and hopefully a second one, too. I left work on Friday and headed east. A few hours later I had my campsite setup along Fourmile Creek just outside of Fairplay. I had a little time before dark, so I decided to drive up to the trailhead for Mount Sherman and check it out. Mount Sherman was my planned hike on Saturday morning.
When I arrived at the trailhead for Mount Sherman the distant storm was lit up by evening light.
Sunset Storm by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
My Jeep parked at the trailhead. Normally the gate is closed and locked, but this time it was open...
Trailhead by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
A few wildflowers below my Jeep.
Flowers & Jeep by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
It started to pour rain while I was up there. This photo was taken out my window in the storm.
In the Rain by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
As I drove back down to my campsite, I was treated to a little color in the sky.
Fourmile Sunset by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
That night it stormed on and off frequently with heavy rain, lightning and thunder. I didn't sleep very well, so it didn't help that I woke up at 4:00am to have a quick breakfast and start my hike to the top of 14,036' Mount Sherman. By this time the storms had stopped, but there were still plenty of darker clouds in the sky.
I was a little hesitant to start the hike with all the clouds in the sky this morning, but I did anyway...
Horseshoe Gulch Sunrise by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
As I approached the Hilltop Mine it was hidden in the clouds.
Hidden Hilltop Mine by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Not much of a view as I followed the ridge up to the summit.
Ridge into the Clouds by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Disappear by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
However, when I did reach the summit of Mount Sherman the clouds did finally start to clear out and I was able to get a nice view.
Lifting Clouds by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
I'm glad I decided to make the climb even though the conditions looked iffy.
Blowing Clouds by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
A painted rock found near the summit.
Colorado Rock by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Thin clouds were still drifting over the mountains when I started my hike back down.
In the Clouds by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Looking back towards the peak and the ridge I had just descended.
Obscured Ridge by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
By the time I was almost back down to the trailhead most of the clouds had cleared out. You can see the Hilltop Mine and Mount Sherman above.
Mount Sherman by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
I must say, Mount Sherman is probably the easiest 14er I have climbed to date. I was feeling pretty good when I got back down and knew I would be able to attempt another one on Sunday. I had hiked to the peak and back in about 3 hours, so it was still very early when I was done. I stopped in Fairplay for a quick breakfast/lunch and then made my way over to the Mosquito Pass Road so I could do a little exploring in my Jeep and search for some wildflowers. I was hoping I'd be able to make it over the pass to Leadville, but near the top there was a large snow drift that was still blocking the road, so I had to return the same way.
Driving into Mosquito Gulch.
Mosquito Gulch by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
I stopped along a small stream that was lined with wildflowers for a few photos.
Along the Stream by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Wildflowers by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Mosquito Flowers by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
I took a short side trip to check out Oliver Twist Lake.
Oliver Twist Lake by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
The snow drift that prevented me from getting up to Mosquito Pass. There were a couple of guys on dirt bikes trying to get through.
Snow Drift by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
The Original Trip Report on ADVENTR.CO
My plans this weekend were to drive over to the Tenmile - Mosquito Range so that I could climb at least one 14er and hopefully a second one, too. I left work on Friday and headed east. A few hours later I had my campsite setup along Fourmile Creek just outside of Fairplay. I had a little time before dark, so I decided to drive up to the trailhead for Mount Sherman and check it out. Mount Sherman was my planned hike on Saturday morning.
When I arrived at the trailhead for Mount Sherman the distant storm was lit up by evening light.
Sunset Storm by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
My Jeep parked at the trailhead. Normally the gate is closed and locked, but this time it was open...
Trailhead by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
A few wildflowers below my Jeep.
Flowers & Jeep by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
It started to pour rain while I was up there. This photo was taken out my window in the storm.
In the Rain by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
As I drove back down to my campsite, I was treated to a little color in the sky.
Fourmile Sunset by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
That night it stormed on and off frequently with heavy rain, lightning and thunder. I didn't sleep very well, so it didn't help that I woke up at 4:00am to have a quick breakfast and start my hike to the top of 14,036' Mount Sherman. By this time the storms had stopped, but there were still plenty of darker clouds in the sky.
I was a little hesitant to start the hike with all the clouds in the sky this morning, but I did anyway...
Horseshoe Gulch Sunrise by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
As I approached the Hilltop Mine it was hidden in the clouds.
Hidden Hilltop Mine by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Not much of a view as I followed the ridge up to the summit.
Ridge into the Clouds by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Disappear by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
However, when I did reach the summit of Mount Sherman the clouds did finally start to clear out and I was able to get a nice view.
Lifting Clouds by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
I'm glad I decided to make the climb even though the conditions looked iffy.
Blowing Clouds by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
A painted rock found near the summit.
Colorado Rock by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Thin clouds were still drifting over the mountains when I started my hike back down.
In the Clouds by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Looking back towards the peak and the ridge I had just descended.
Obscured Ridge by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
By the time I was almost back down to the trailhead most of the clouds had cleared out. You can see the Hilltop Mine and Mount Sherman above.
Mount Sherman by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
I must say, Mount Sherman is probably the easiest 14er I have climbed to date. I was feeling pretty good when I got back down and knew I would be able to attempt another one on Sunday. I had hiked to the peak and back in about 3 hours, so it was still very early when I was done. I stopped in Fairplay for a quick breakfast/lunch and then made my way over to the Mosquito Pass Road so I could do a little exploring in my Jeep and search for some wildflowers. I was hoping I'd be able to make it over the pass to Leadville, but near the top there was a large snow drift that was still blocking the road, so I had to return the same way.
Driving into Mosquito Gulch.
Mosquito Gulch by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
I stopped along a small stream that was lined with wildflowers for a few photos.
Along the Stream by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Wildflowers by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Mosquito Flowers by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
I took a short side trip to check out Oliver Twist Lake.
Oliver Twist Lake by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
The snow drift that prevented me from getting up to Mosquito Pass. There were a couple of guys on dirt bikes trying to get through.
Snow Drift by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
