It started about 2:30 am for Joseph, John, Anna, Jesse, and Mary as they began their trek up Mt. Harvard. But for Dad, Mom, and I, our adventure began about 4:15 am as we hit the trail and headed for Mt. Columbia. Oh, what an adventure Monday was! But for now, I’ll leave you with a few pictures. We have hundreds from that day. More later!
Enjoying beautiful Colorado, Sarah
A headlamp beginning for sure! They kindly built us a huge rock cairn to help us know where our turn off for Mt. Columbia was. From the Harvard crew’s viewpoint. We found the cairn! Joseph and John
“They go up by the mountains; they go down by the valleys unto the place which thou hast founded for them.” Psalms 104:8
The summit is cold–freezing cold. We find a place to sit protected from the worst of the biting wind. It truly feels like you’re on top of the world. You can see so far out! We’re grateful for the weather–if it was cloudy, we wouldn’t have the same views. We try to get pictures in between warming up.
Jesse and Anna braved the biting cold and went down the summit a ways to carry Dad and Mom’s packs up the last stretch.
At first, we’re the only ones on the summit, but slowly, several more show up.
Me, Anna, and Mary
We take pictures, try to stay warm, and some manage to eat a bit. It’s so cold, some of our party decide to head down. Moving does help to keep one warm.
People coming up, and we’re going down!
As we descend, I’m surprised at the steady stream coming up the side of a mountain. It’s like a regular party! Wow! Mount Huron is popular today. We’re spread out on the mountain, some in twos, some by ones, and we enjoy chatting with others as we pass. It’s easy to give encouragement telling them the summit isn’t far. The descent is pretty easy–and the path is great–and the views continue to be stunning. We take an easy pace. Those who reach the little lake first spend time enjoying it.
John enjoying rest time. Joseph and Anna John, Joseph, and Jesse
A kind hiker took our picture.
We head home, and we’re happy to see Anna Marie, Melanie, and the little ones! We’ve missed them. Mount Huron is a great peak to hike. I stand in awe at God’s Creation as I enjoy this special time in the mountains! Joyfully His, Sarah
“Bless the Lord, O my soul.O Lord my God, thou art very great;thou art clothed with honour and majesty. Who coverest thyself with light as with a garment:who stretchest out the heavens like a curtain.”Psalms 104:1-2
About 8:05, we leave the tree line. This is a great measure of progress, and the views change dramatically. We know there is one hiker ahead of us.
Oops! I used my cell as my camera on the trail, and when I reached into my pocket for it, it was gone. Thankfully, I had just lost it, and Christopher, who was behind me, got it.
Now, slightly to our right, a tall peak towers above the valley. Some of us wondered if this is the summit, but often there is a false summit, so we aren’t sure. We catch glimpses of the hiker (a small speck ahead of us), and the path switches back and forth across the side of the mountain. The views behind us are breath-taking. The sun has illuminated portions of the mountains. We come to a gorgeous little pond and grabbed a few pictures.
We take our pace slowly but steadily as we gain elevation. It’s still chilly, as the sun hasn’t hit us yet. I sometimes wonder as we hike these trails who first blazed them? We are able to discern the path, even on the rocky portions.
Distances can be deceiving. The hiker is that small dot. The sun is just now peeking over the mountain.
The only wildlife we see are some birds and little picas, busily hurrying across the rocks.
As we approach the summit ridge, we split into several groups.
During this tough part, it’s extremely important to continue drinking water and eating. We keep going, although sometimes I grab my phone out to take pictures.
You can see the summit now–some of the family is up there on the right. A view on the overlook before we make our final ascent to the summit.
About 9:45, the first Maxwells summit! Praise the Lord. The rest summit in increments. Part 3 will include what it was like on the summit.
Joyfully His, Sarah
“I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:14
It’s dark, cold, and early, but the stars are sparkling against the sky. The time is 3:47 am. Yes. It’s a 14er morning.
After Bible time and prayer, you finish packing your Camelbak. You hope you have everything essential for the day. Oh, and you make sure to wish Mary a happy birthday.
5:02, everyone loads up in the van and John’s truck. Since we’ve stayed on Kansas time, it’s actually 4 local time. We don’t pass a single vehicle as we drive along the main road. After we turn off onto the county road, we see the headlights of other vehicles following us. John’s truck takes the washboard fine, but the van’s suspension makes for a rougher (and that’s even with airing down the tires) ride.
About 6, we made it to an area where we parked the van. Then, we waited a bit for some light before piling into the truck for our final part of the drive. John’s truck did awesome across the rock-laden, pot-hole-and-beyond “road.” He saved us several miles of hiking! Thanks, John.
We get to the trailhead and try to disembark quietly, since campers are in the area, and it’s still early. It’s cold, quite cold, probably in the 30’s.
Our goal this time had been to hike without headlamps, so it was refreshing not to begin in the dark. We are not quite sure what we have ahead, but we’re looking forward to it. The sun’s rays hit nearby mountains giving us gorgeous scenery. We soak it in, as we hike along the trail.
Mary and Anna
Part 2 up next!
“Bless the LORD, O my soul. O LORD my God, thou art very great; thou art clothed with honour and majesty.” Psalms 104:1
The Maxwell family and ministry blog of Titus2.com.
