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Last Friday, I was invited to join a group on a trail hike to the top of Flattop Mountain, an 8.8 mile (round trip) trek with a 2900' elevation gain. It's a strenuous climb but at this time of the year, it's not the trail that's the challenge but the weather as you transition in less than 3 miles from forest into the alpine tundra. Two members of the group had tried to reach the top before but weather made it impossible. We got lucky, as an early morning shower turned into a clear day. That said, the well-defined path through the treeline leads you into open rocky tundra with a snow covering at 12,324'. The real challenge? Winds blowing at 35 mph offering a wind chill temp of 21 degrees! I'll let the photos tell the rest of the story of this great journey.
10 Comments
Barb
9/22/2015 10:40:12 pm
Judy... Wow -- Stunned by your feats. How the hey can you even breathe at that altitude? And possible weather shifts add more drama. Seriously. I am wondering how long it took you to hike up and down? And if you ever second guessed the plan.
Judy
9/23/2015 10:25:59 pm
Barb, It did take me nearly 3 weeks to get completely acclimated to the altitude here including sleeping through the night. Set now though I pondered the oxygen level on this hike as I've never been to this height. It was a group effort & the guy in the yellow hat is a hike master at the Y who's lived here for years so there was group support & it was all or none in terms of the decision to keep going. We left the Ranger station at 7:55 am and returned at 2:40 pm with a few stops for folks, lunch, photos, etc. The pace was a little easy for me on the return but the group support made it possible!
Karen
9/23/2015 10:04:53 am
How many times did you ask yourself "what was I thinking?" Kudos to you! I, personally, wouldn't have been able to walk the next day! :)
Judy
9/23/2015 10:27:36 pm
Karen ... NEVER did question it! My bigger concern was NOT making it to the top due the weather & it had to be group consensus. The next morning, I lounged with coffee & a book till 10am! j.
Anne-Marie
9/24/2015 11:26:16 am
Is that firewood that I saw at the top??!!! I've not seen the likes of a tundra so clearly---this must have been the coldest weather that you've felt in a while. Quite impressive and it looks like interesting folks along the hike.
Judy
9/26/2015 07:06:07 pm
AMG: Good question on that stack that looks like wood but I think it's rock. We did pass some folks that were heading up and continuing on to Hallett Peak (less than another mile) and camping somewhere then coming down the trail on the other side, I believe. THAT is just crazy!
Eileen
9/29/2015 09:44:06 am
What an amazing feat, will have to dig up my Wonder Woman sign and re-gift.
Judy
9/29/2015 07:14:28 pm
Funny! Did another epic hike today that required some hand & knee rock scrambling! Need to catch up on this blog as I'm 3 hikes & other items behind. Not enough time & departure in 12 days!
Donna
9/29/2015 08:07:24 pm
sounds like group was prepared for the weather change above tree line- some people actually prefer winter hiking - do I see another challenge on your horizon ?
Judy
9/29/2015 10:31:58 pm
I detest winter in all its forms! That said, I'm way behind on the blog now & just today took my hiking to a new level (scrambling rocks on hands & knees). Stay tuned!!! Leave a Reply. |
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