Summit Hike in the Rocky Mountains

Saturday, 9/29

Nils said, "let's do a summit hike!".   There were 4 to choose from---we picked the Twin Sisters Peaks, consisting of a gain of 2338 feet in elevation over 3.7 miles, to a total summit elevation of 11,428 feet. This would be the highest hike with the most elevation gain we've done so far, and we were psyched.

The hike began in the Roosevelt (Teddy) National Forest, a series of gentle switchbacks through thick spruce woods, so thick that the sun could not penetrate.  The air was cool and crisp and smelled amazing.  The path was littered with, well, rocks (we ARE in the Rocky Mountains, after all) of all sizes but not so many that the footing was overly difficult.  As we climbed higher and higher, the dead trees at the sides of the path became more and more sculptural and beautiful, like a giant bonsai.  it really had the look of a beautiful Japanese rock garden at times.  Until we reached the treeline, we couldn't see into the distance at all, just trees, trees and more trees.  But then, glimpses of white capped mountains in the distance.  Above the tree line we hiked switchback paths through scree, a mess of boulders, rocks and gravel to the summit, where a breathtaking panorama awaited us.

Our reward: an amazing view

Smiling Lisa, at 11,428 feet

The rock I was sitting on had been warming in the sun...felt really good to rest there a few minutes

There were about 20 people at the top, having a little picnic and enjoying the view (also a hopeful chipmunk, on the lookout for crumbs).  We did not linger long...the way up had taken us 2 hours 20 minutes, the way down was going to take 2 hours for sure.  So---back we went, exactly the way we'd gone up.  By the final mile my feet were hurting, my leg muscles were sore.  But it was a good feeling of accomplishment....I could not have done this hike two months ago.  We definitely left some pounds behind on THAT trail.

There were MANY patches of snow along the upper section of the path.

We came home tired and hungry.  After a delicious lunch (tempeh-thai noodle-broccoli-peanut stir fry) we headed to the hot tub, one of the benefits of this fancy-schmancy RV park--felt great after all the strenuous climbing.  We watched a movie on tv (we have cable here too!) and slept very well.