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After moving to Grand Junction from Southern California 2 years ago, the thought of climbing a 14er slowly grew interest and into a possibility. Hiking the many areas around Grand Junction and Mt Garfield multiple times I figured the next move would be a 14er. My parents moved a year before me from Southern California to the Ridgway area. From the first time driving south from Grand Junction viewing the perfectly centered Sneffles in view, I was interested. It is 2014 and I vowed to climb a 14er, this was the time to do it. A group of four of us including my Mother and 2 of her friends set off Early Wednesday morning before the first light.
We left the house at 4:30 and headed towards Ouray. Driving up past Box Canyon at night was exciting and fun. We parked at the lower trail head after deciding not to attempt the rocky 4 wheel drive road.
Alpine Glow
Starting the trail with the soft glow of the sun was spectacular.
Path leaving the lower trailhead
Sun topped peaks
Beautiful Valley
The views just kept getting better and better, the temperature was cool in the shade and the crisp morning air was refreshing.
Yankee Boy Basin
Fantastic morning
Halfway to the upper trailhead
Columbine
Cannot get enough
Heading up towards the upper trail head I was greeted by beautiful wildflowers, trickling streams, and "Eeeeps" from the local critters
Last moments before sunshine
Summer blooms
Sunshine on our backs
After reaching the Upper trail head with the sun warming our backs the gulch that we had to ascend came into view.
Looking towards the gully
Ready to go!
After passing the next Blue Lakes sign, we took a moment to look back and take a breather before heading up the intimidating Gulch.
looking south from the gulch
Mom and Will
Up up and away
Quite steep and a difficult climb
Looking up I could not imagine how difficult this climb would be. I would say I am in excellent shape physically and yet once i hit 12k my body took a turn for the worse. I could write more on this topic but lets keep it at that and just say that the entire rest of the trip I felt like Knives were stabbing my in the stomach as I struggled to keep liquids down due to vomiting. Besides that the trip was fantastic and I now understand a banana does not cut it as breakfast before climbing a 14er.
before the col towards the V-Notch
Almost to the summit
I did not take many pictures while heading up towards the V-Notch due to stomach issues and keeping an eye on the climbers/rocks above us. There was still a bit of snow heading up towards the V-Notch. We put some Yak Tracks to climb through 25-30 feet of snow along the left side of the chute. After talking with a group on their way back down we decided to shoot left before the V-Notch due to snow, which then led to the same path the V-Notch leads to yet a bit south.
Mom and I
Finally reached the summit! My first Fourteener and I got to share this moment with my mother which was wonderful. Despite feeling sick the summit was incredible and the views cannot be expressed by pictures alone. After reading countless trip reports and imagining my climb I had done it. My mind was already wrapped around the thought of climbing another before the season ends.
Looking East
North towards Grand Junction
The trailhead wayy down there
Telluride ski slopes
The steep descent
The descent was steep and exiting.
All in all this was a fantastic trip. Realizing that Sneffles is rather difficult for a first 14er, I am excited to climb more gradual mountains and challenge myself as i take on harder class 3 mountains in the future.
Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):
Congrads on your 1st 14er ! Same to your mom, wish I had the chance to do that. I'm going to try and make it to Telluride to do Sneffels before seasons end. Pictures are really clear, as randalmartin suggested I was on Belford/Oxford last weekend and there was a haze in the air, was told it was smoke from the Washington State wildfires. Glad you had a great day !!
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