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INTRO: I don't know why but I tried uploading pictures, resizing, etc. and it's not working out. SO, here's a link to Google Photos with the corresponding information/pictures with this story: https://goo.gl/photos/BvWwpe6Jz7LL9psi6
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I left Denver a little after 0300 and arrived after an easy ride to the trail head. The directions were pretty clear and Google Maps actually has the trailhead on their map so you can easily navigate to it. I pulled up at about 0515 and did the regular prep work. Also, this trip I brought a heart monitor. I had always wanted to know what my heart rate did and this time I planned on finding out, especially since I'm in the worst shape I think I've ever been in. The car said 37 degrees and the sun was already coming up. With four cars already at the TH it was time to get going. I checked my watch - 0532 - and I was off.
The way to the trail couldn't be easier. PICTURE ONE
I will admit, however, that I had essentially my only moment of confusion in the first 5 minutes of the climb. PICTURE TWO
Here I wasn't sure where to go. There was a clear path straight ahead and there was a path to the left. So, I went with logic and chose the path that looked a little more used - left. Shortly on that path I came across the big boulder that was mentioned in the route plan. I veered right after that boulder, as so stated, and continued on. As I did so I came across several "TRAIL" signs and they were useful in both pointing out the trail but also making me feel like I was on the right path.
The sun rising was perfect. I don't know what it is about the light that comes from a rising sun but to me that initial light makes the mountain look so much more majestic. Every time I start coming down during early afternoon sun it's just not the same. That being said, coming back down after the sun has warmed up the trees a little definitely makes the smell of the trees much more noticeable. PICTURE THREE
I had been climbing for a bit and came across the first bit of snow on the path. Nothing major. It was a tad slippery but nothing concerning. PICTURE FOUR
The trail continued to climb and there was snow here and there but nothing on the trail. PICTURE FIVE
I was passed by two gents and then caught up to them when we watched a goat cross our path and hang out on the trail. He didn't care that we were there. PICTURE SIX
The climbing continued! TMI: As the the climbing got steeper I was definitely feeling a little gaseous from having eaten several Fiber One bars I had at the house. While flatulence was released during this climb, I will say there was one that sounded exactly the first "MMmmmm" from Let Me Love You by Mario. Needless to say that song was stuck in my head for a good portion of the remaining climb.
Finally the snow started appearing a little more serious. The two gentleman who had passed me earlier were up ahead putting on microspikes. PICTURE SEVEN
I didn't bring any because a previous review had mentioned not needing them and I agree. I crossed the snow without any major issue. It was nice and firm at this time of day and there were plenty of tracks to follow. It was a little slippery and I post holed to my knee once but it only took about 5 minutes to cross this field before we hit rock again and before they were removing their spikes. PICTURE EIGHT
Finally the climb started getting seriously steep. PICTURE NINE
Part of that steep climb individuals had the option to either go up the snow or go up the rock. PICTURE TEN
I initially chose to go up the snow. It was more direct and nice and compact. However, it was steep - without the benefit of switchbacks - and made it tough cardio wise. Therefore I got off and took the rocks, weaving my way closer to the top.
Right before the top there was no avoiding the snow. It still covered the last part of the climb and there wasn't anything you could do about it.
(PICTURE ELEVEN and ELEVEN A
There were plenty of tracks to follow and at this time of the day the snow was still pretty compact and easy to walk on. Again, microspikes were not necessary but it was a little slippery and would've helped with that traction piece. That being said I didn't fall once or really lose my balance climbing up.
There was just a slight breeze. The kind where it was enough to cool you down but not too terrible. I sat down and ate. Surprisingly the first time I've been on top of a 14er and haven't felt AMS. I usually don't want to eat or drink but this time I was starving. Maybe one of the benefits to having had put on weight?
After about 30 minutes on the mountain I began my descent. On the way down I had noticed that even though I had only been up there a short time the snow had gotten much softer. Soft enough that I had decided to glissade - sans axe - down the major snow parts of the mountain. That was both fun and time saving. On the way down I ran into another goat, except this one was closer, and named him Doug. He's the one with the beard. Can't miss him.
I will say, on my way down there were a ton of people coming up. I was quite surprised at the number of people with small children on their back who weren't close to the summit. Talk about a challenge. I was also dissapointed that it was the beginning of the season and I was already picking up fresh trash and that many folks didn't seem to understand the yield to climbers coming downhill. Oh, well.
I finally reached my car and was greatful. The total trip time took 4:42. My Polar watch stated that my avg heart rate was 140 and I maxed out at 172. It also said that my burned calories was....
...wait for it....
3,759!
SO... peak conditions wise if you're going soon I think you'll be fine with a pair of hiking shoes with tread. Spikes might make a few areas easier but they weren't necessary.
You dont have to carry kids up. You just have to not let them whine and feed them enough and then they make it up no problem. Funny I read your trip report. Didn't see you yesterday because I took my son backpacking just for the night.
Correct me if I mis-read your post, but I believe you were expecting uphill hikers to yield to the downhill hiker?
It's accepted etiquette for descenders to yield to climbers. This holds true for all mountain sports, including mountain biking...
PGMike: LoL. I suppose. At that age they have plenty of energy, for sure. With two kids of my own I am all for it. Both of these kids were probably two and four, near the beginning, and it looked like they weren't going to make it but the pops had full packs on. Great job if they did! I would've died.
TetonTom: So I did some research and it's conflicting - regarding 14ers. There are folks out there who say descenders should yield (for general hiking) - such as REI, and then there are people who say ascenders should yield - such as the Colorado Mountain Club. There's also a thread about it here: http://www.14ers.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=21435&hilit=etiquette. So I suppose neither are wrong. If I had to pick a camp I'm still with the 'ascenders should yield'. My thoughts: 14ers are generally steep and it is easy to get a little speed going down the mountain, not to mention generally harder on the body/knees to stop. REI's thoughts: the uphill hiker has a "smaller field of vision and may also be in that ”hiking rhythm” zone and not in the mood to break their pace." Out of the seven peaks I've climbed I think the smaller field of vision hasn't necessarily been the case and I don't think a hiker's "mood" plays any bearing on the decision. http://blog.rei.com/hike/trail-etiquette-who-has-the-right-of-way/ Your thoughts for 14er etiquette?
Regarding the yield question - I think it depends on the circumstance. If I'm huffing and puffing on my way up (which is usually the case...), I happily yield to catch my breath. And, if I'm going down and someone coming up really has their mojo going, then I yield to them. No hard and fast rules here, IMHO.
What Jay says is pretty much what I follow. There are two conditions when I think the yield makes any difference, and I think that is sometimes where the confusion comes from.
UP YIELD to DOWN: In a race, such as the Pikes Peak Marathon, this is the rule. The rationale being that people coming down are really racing, while people still going up, later in the race, are slower, and should yield to the people leading the race.
DOWN YIELD to UP: In vehicles, this is mostly due to safety and ease. A vehicle coming down a 4x4 road is in a much better postition, first of all to see the conflict coming earlier, and more often it is safer to back up hill, then down hill.
But, as Jay said, in most cases, as I'm cruising down hill, I look in the eyes of the uphillers, and try to judge if they are just looking for an excuse to take a short break and let me pass. In many cases, uphill yields, just because they need to take a breather. And, especially when those uphillers are coming later in the day and are maybe slower.
I just googled "hiker etiquette right of way" and the top 10 results all say downhill yields to uphill. I've worked as a professional mountaineering guide for 20 years, and that's always been day-1 teaching is to pull off the trail for uphillers. As a mt. Biker you'd never just assume that the uphiller wants to catch their breath.
Just sayin', if the uphiller pulls off on their own, that's one thing, but the descender should never assume that they deserve the right of way.
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