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| Hiking | 9.46 Miles |
4,341 AEG |
| | Hiking | 9.46 Miles | | | |
| 4,341 ft AEG | 50 Mns Break | | | |
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| partners | | This side trip off the Colorado Trail was an example of nearly perfect timing and the HAZ network at its best. Linda and I had talked about maybe meeting up at Mt. Elbert when she was in the area, but I was running a little ahead of schedule and was about 45 minutes down the road in Buena Vista when Linda reached Leadville for a couple of days of hiking and 14ers.
Not to be deterred and needing a little trail support anyways, I suggested Mt. Yale to Linda. She had already did Elbert, so any additional 14er would just be bonus for her and she could also give me a hand getting to the TH and grabbing a few supplies before I hit the trail. Sounded like a "win" "win" to me! We did have to get an early start, so I could get back on the CT that day, but Linda did not mind. Although, it was not as early a wake-up for me, as I was camped very close to the TH.
We made pretty good time up to the main saddle guarding Yale. You still have another 200 feet or so of elevation to gain after this and a little ridgeline scramble, but at 13,900 feet, making it to the saddle pretty much means you are there. Linda kept apologizing for being a little slow, but I assured her that we were probably among the fastest on the mountain that day and that I was running on the advantage of having spent the last two weeks living around 11,000 feet.
The summit was very cool, with some tremendous 360 degree views and a fun little ridgeline and final approach to contend with. Despite a pretty strong cold wind, we enjoyed the summit for a several minutes. We chatted it up with a few locals, snapped a bunch of pictures, tested the 3G and headed back down.
As one could expect when gaining over 4000 feet in four miles, the return trip was quick! I bummed a Gatorade from Linda's cooler, enjoyed a few snacks and had her drop me back off at the same place I had exited the CT the day before. A very cool 14er and near the top of my short list of favorites. Huge HAZ appreciation Linda's way for helping me resupply and sneaking in a "must do" 14er in my opinion! |
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Route Editor
Route Scout
s also related to a President and a signer of the Declaration Of Independance. He also founded Skull and Bones and founded a secret soceity at my school...blah...blah...blah.
