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After a year-and-a-half with no vacation, I decided it was time to get in shape, and climb some mountains! September in Colorado is a transition month, from hot summer in the plains to golden aspens and dustings of snow in the high country. I arrived in Denver just after an early season snowstorm dumped up to 10" in the mountains.
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medium - large | From Denver, I drove up the scenic road to Echo Lake, following snowy Chicago Creek. |
 medium | Beyond Echo Lake, the road powers up to a high ridge at Juniper Pass. This is a nice picnic spot, with rocks to explore and short walks out to views of the Upper Bear Creek Valley and the Mount Evans Wilderness. |
 medium | Looking up toward Mount Evans from Juniper Pass. |
 medium | The next great view near Denver is at famous Loveland Pass. To stretch your legs, climb the divide to the east up 800 feet to this panoramic view of the Front Range and nearby 14,000 foot mountains including Torrey's Peak below. |
 medium | Torrey's Peak |
 medium | From Loveland Pass, I drove through Summit County, Vail, Tennessee Pass, and Leadville. West of Leadville, near Turquoise Lake, the rugged old Hagerman Pass Road took me to the trailhead for a short backpacking trip to Windsor Lake. Although this is a short hike, it was very steep, climbs up near timberline, and was tiring for a Minnesotan with a heavy backpack! Months on a treadmill cannot prepare you for this! |
 medium - large | After the steep climb, the trail passes a small pond, then ascends a little more to beautiful Windsor Lake, tucked into a basin under the Continental Divide. |
 medium | Camping near Windsor Lake was chilly and snowy, but the solitude was nice. Nearby ponds were covered with ice the next morning. |
 medium | Huron Peak, at 14,005', is a shy mountain hidden in the Collegiate Peaks Wilderness in central Colorado. A long dirt road winds up the Clear Creek Valley to an old hamlet named Winfield, near the trailhead for climbing Huron Peak from the northwest. This photo is from the sub-alpine basin under the northern shadow of Huron, with the peak rising up behind. |
 medium | The spectacular Three Apostles mountains jut sharply from the valley to the south of Huron, showing a dusting of late summer snow. |
 medium | Approaching the summit of Huron Peak, the trail overlooks the rugged east face. |
 medium | Looking north, the basin at 12,500' lies far below, and peaks of the northern Sawatch range extend to the horizon. |
 medium | The summit of Huron Peak, 14,005 feet. The Tibetan prayer flag and the awe-inspiring Three Apostles make this a very special place. I had the summit to myself for 20 minutes, a rarity on a day like this. When you haven't climbed a mountain in three years, an airy summit is exhilarating. |
 medium - large | All of the planning and effort to reach a summit is rewarded with just a few wonderful minutes at the top. You try to imprint the beauty in your mind, and you capture photographs knowing they won't come close to capturing the experience. The wind gets brisk. Your water and food supply starts to seem low. You look back down to the valley accepting the inevitable - you are just a guest, and its time to go back home. |
 medium | Today was a very special day for me. However, it was a day no American will ever forget. September 11, 2001 was a challenge to our humanity, a challenge to the freedom we Americans cherish. It was a challenge, but one that we will overcome. |
 medium | Autumn is on the way in the Crystal River Valley near Marble. |
 medium | A cold, foggy drizzle settled into the mountains near Aspen. The Maroon Bells reluctantly appeared from the veil of clouds. |
 medium | The town of Independence on the way to its pass high over the divide. Just a few miles down-valley from this shack are the million dollar shacks of Aspen. |
 medium | Linkin's Lake is a classic hanging lake just west of Independence Pass, a 500 foot climb from the road, with views east to the pass and La Plata Peak. Hike up the broad gully south of the lake to find the hidden mining cabin and shaft. |
 medium - large | The ridges above Linkin's Lake have expansive views, easy walking, and suprising solitude. |