This hike was the first one that was specifically to train for Mt Rainier in June 2019. There was no marked trail so the idea was that we would just drive until we decided to stop and start hiking! I was not immediately sold on the idea of just picking a place to climb without having a trail, in fact I didn’t like the idea at all until we were there. That was when I realized that this was going to be unlike anything else I’ve ever done – the area was literally untouched and there was not another person in sight.

It was a cold one.

I could probably end this post right there and it would sum it up fairly accurately. Earlier in the year, in the comfort of a warm Spring day, this hike sounded like an excellent idea. I was really excited about the prospect of a possible Winter hike, I think my exact words were that I was looking forward to getting some cold weather hiking experience in preparation for Mt Rainier. On October 18th, 2019 – a group from the Center hiked Mt Bierstadt via the West Slopes. (Difficulty – Class 2). Route was 7.0 miles round trip. Summit elevation was 14,060 and elevation gain was 2,850 feet from the trailhead.

One thing that I learned from a young age was that adventures don’t have to be expensive to be unique, fulfilling & memorable.

Brad Smith, Anita Koster, Todd Voth, Tim Sturm & I hiked Mt Yale via the Southwest Slopes. (Difficulty – Class 2). Route is 9.5 miles round trip. Summit elevation was 14,196 feet and elevation gain was 4,300 feet from the trailhead.

Megan Pray, Bekka Simpson & I hiked Grays Peak via the North Slopes, descent on the North Ridge. (Difficulty – Ascent was Class 1, descent was Class 2 and we felt every second of it.) Route is approximately 8.10 miles round trip. Summit elevation was 14,270 and elevation gain was 3,600 feet from the trailhead. We finished the hike with Adam Pray, Danny Gilbert & Jay Simpson, they got a later start but still finished with us.