Judy Grillo
  • Home
  • Writer
    • Services & Clients
    • Rates & Terms
  • Teacher
  • Trainer
  • Reveler
  • Blogger
  • Listener
  • Home
  • Writer
    • Services & Clients
    • Rates & Terms
  • Teacher
  • Trainer
  • Reveler
  • Blogger
  • Listener

Flattop Mountain

9/22/2015

10 Comments

 
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.

Reply
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!

Reply
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! :)

Reply
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.

Reply
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.

Reply
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!

Reply
Eileen
9/29/2015 09:44:06 am

What an amazing feat, will have to dig up my Wonder Woman sign and re-gift.

Reply
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!

Reply
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 ?

Reply
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!!!

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Archives

    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015

    Author

    Cyclist, writer, teacher, avid reader, bike/ped advocate, nomad, pie lover

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.