Hiking — Journal — Douglas DeVoto

Mt. Massive

An alpine start to enjoy sunrise on a 14er required getting to the trailhead for Mt. Massive by 3:30 am. The nearly full moon helped illuminate the trail and the many avalanche paths that were still melting away from the record spring snowfall. As we reached 13,000 ft we realized that we would not reach the summit before sunrise so we found a great viewpoint looking south towards Mt. Elbert. The subtle colors in the alpine glow were quickly overwhelmed by the strengthening sun, but not before we captured the first light.

Douglas DeVotoAugust 17, 2019Hiking, Scrambling, Mt. Massive Wilderness, 14er, Sunrise, Mountain Goats

Longs Peak Milky Way

The best way to avoid the crowds in Rocky Mountain National Park is to visit in the offseason and at off hours. I wanted to capture the alignment of the Milky Way with Longs Peak while snow was still present so May was a good month to spend in the park under the stars. After reaching an almost empty parking lot I hiked up to my viewpoint that just managed to clear any foreground trees. I began this single long take at 10:30 pm and packed up after sunrise at 6:30 am. After the Moon set below the horizon, the Milky Way and Jupiter advanced across the night sky and provided me a good reason to skip sleeping. The bright glow at the horizon is light pollution from Boulder and Denver.

Douglas DeVotoMay 11, 2019Hiking, Rocky Mountain National Park, Nightscape, Sunrise

La Plata Peak

The Front Range has experienced an unusually warm June, so I attempted to beat the heat by searching for higher ground. As a day trip, La Plata is an easy class 2 climb accessible off of Highway 82, southwest of Leadville. The mountain was originally named for the silver mines that once operated in the area.

Douglas DeVotoJune 18, 2016Collegiate Peaks Wilderness, 14er, Hiking, Scrambling

Palisade

Situated between the Rocky Mountains and Utah deserts, Palisade is a refreshing departure from traveling along I-70. After exiting the interstate, one sees the possibilities for tapping the Colorado River after passing an abundance of wineries and orchards. History surrounds the area with petroglyphs, discarded wagon trails, and farming implements that have earned a resting place along the fields they once cared for.

Douglas DeVotoApril 30, 2016Palisade, Hiking, Nightscape

Quandary Peak

As a 14er, Quandary is an easily approachable mountain throughout the year, situated just south of Breckinridge, CO. The route is so popular in the wintertime that snowshoes can typically be left behind. Having family in town for a short trip makes the mountain an attractive destination for easily earned views in a day trip.

Douglas DeVotoJanuary 5, 201614er, Hiking, White River National Forest, Mountain Goats

Mt. Sneffels

What started as a trip to explore golden aspens turning into another 14er hike. The timing was perfect to enjoy the changing colors of the trees, but a dry fall had yet to blanket the mountains with their first snowfall. The warm weather made for great late-season hiking and tackling the trail up to Sneffels from the East Dallas Creek was just the reward for Penny after waiting patiently by my camera’s tripod for landscape shots.

Douglas DeVotoSeptember 26, 201514er, Scrambling, Hiking, Mt. Sneffels Wilderness, Sunset

The Arrowhead

Fall is quickly approaching! We traveled up to RMNP for what was originally planned to be an ambitious day, the Lake Solitude Cirque traverse. Beginning from Bear Lake, we hiked our way up to to Black Lake and enjoyed the surrounding views of Chiefs Head Peak (13,579'), The Spearhead (12,575'), Powell Peak (13,208'), McHenrys Peak (13,327'), and The Arrowhead (12,387').

Douglas DeVotoSeptember 20, 2015Rocky Mountain National Park, Hiking, Scrambling