Journal — Douglas DeVoto

Arapaho Lakes

The scenic views by Arapaho Lakes are buried by feet of snow in January, but the mountains make a great destination for backcountry skiing. Most treat the trails as a day trip destination from the Front Range, but a few friends decided to camp out in a snow cave. Emergency shovels were put to work, and a temporary accommodation for five was carved out of the snowpack. Battery-powered lights were a great last minute addition to the cave. While I was warm inside, the camera clicked away as the stars tracked across the sky above moonlit mountains.

Douglas DeVotoJanuary 23, 2016James Peak Wilderness, Skiing, 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