Scrambling — 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

Dream Lake and Chaos Canyon

Nature can be humbling through its beauty and difficulty and I experienced a little of both in RMNP. With sunrise a little after 5:00 am, we had to leave Boulder around 3:00 am in order to reach Dream Lake. Mornings by the lake are spectacular with the first light reflecting into the water via Hallet Peak.

Douglas DeVotoJune 26, 2016Rocky Mountain National Park, Scrambling, 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

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