Tag Archives: hiking

Monday’s Hike

This was posted on August 29, 2015 by Sarah Maxwell.

We are home and settled in, but I wanted to share about Monday’s hike, our last one before we hit the road. Only Mom, Anna, Jesse, Mary, and I went, and we started out at Denny Creek’s trailhead. It’ll take you to (a) Mount Yale, (b) Brown’s Pass, (c) Hartenstein Lake, (d) probably other places. We went for (c).

It was a gorgeous morning to hike with great company, pleasant temperatures–what more could you ask for?

We’ve had many stream crossings on this trip. The number of sturdy logs shown above make this one easy.

As we got to this point, Jesse recalled a discussion from probably 10 years ago when the five younger named this stream Diesel Dad’s Crossing. We had to get a picture!

When we reached the lake, we sat down to enjoy a snack. Suddenly, Mom called, “Moose!”

Sure enough, a bull moose plodded from the woods and into the lake. Amazing! Of course, I didn’t have my nice camera with me, so all we had were iPhones with which to take pictures. We hiked around the lake to get a better view. He was impressive to watch as he sloshed in the water, drinking and probably eating some kind of water grass. So nice!

The moose is too small to see, but it’s in the picture too.

We were blessed by our time in Colorado. It was extremely refreshing!

Yeah, happy birthday Mom!

Love,
Sarah

“Which doeth great things and unsearchable;
marvellous things without number.”
Job 5:9

Mount Harvard and Mount Columbia: Part 1

This was posted on September 1, 2014 by Sarah Maxwell.

Even though it started out as a regular 14er morning, we knew this one would be our hardest yet. Some of the family opted for tackling both Harvard and Columbia, while Dad, Mom, and I chose to only try for Columbia (15 miles and 6200 ft versus 11 miles and 4500 feet of elevation gain).

Joseph, John, Anna, Jesse, and Mary, whom I’ll refer to as Team A, started early–as in 2:30 am. Dad, Mom, and I–Team B–began about 4:15. Headlamps and flashlights were the mode of illuminating the trail. Unfortunately, at one point, Jesse lost his headlamp down a steep hill, and John, being the hero, retrieved it, so all was well. I can’t imagine hiking a 14er by yourself, especially starting before light. There’s comfort in being with a group. There’s just something about walking through the forest and wondering what is “out there” that you can’t see.

Team A found the trail to Mount Harvard pleasant. The first part of the hike was just ticking down the miles and walking through the forest, without much of an incline. For the double climb everyone started at the same trailhead, and then about 4 miles up at a trail junction, Mount Columbia’s trail splits from the main trail, while Mount Harvard continues on. Then, after a person summits Harvard, they can traverse the ridge to Columbia (that sounds too easy the way I wrote it: wait until you read how it really went). Team A helped Dad, Mom, and I locate our trail (it isn’t marked with a sign) as that split is hard to find. Jesse used GPS coordinates, and about mile 4, they found the correct turn off. Team A collected lots of rocks and made a big rock cairn so we wouldn’t miss it. They also wrote a note on a paper towel and then continued on their trek.

Meanwhile, Team B plodded along. We started out later as we wanted to reach the tree-line about dawn; if we began too early, we would face a very difficult section of trail in the dark, which we didn’t want to do.

Both teams had radios, and after some time, we were in range and could communicate. As the dark sky lightened, we could see clouds already forming. That is typically not a good thing. Conversation was pleasant in both groups as we enjoyed God’s creation and watched the sun rise.

“They go up by the mountains;
they go down by the valleys
unto the place which thou
hast founded for them.”
Psalms 104:8

An Adventure From Multiple Viewpoints

This was posted on August 27, 2014 by Sarah Maxwell.

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

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. — From the Harvard crew’s viewpoint.

“They go up by the mountains;
they go down by the valleys
unto the place which thou
hast founded for them.”
Psalms 104:8

Mount Huron: Part 3

This was posted on August 26, 2014 by Sarah Maxwell.

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 aways to carry Dad and Mom's packs up the last stretch. — 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.

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! — 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.

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

Mount Columbia’s Welcoming Committee

This was posted on August 26, 2014 by Sarah Maxwell.

Oreamnos americanus Mountain goat just sayin' "hi"! — Oreamnos americanus Mountain goat just sayin’ “Welcome”!

“There be three things which go well,
yea, four are comely in going:
A lion which is strongest among beasts,
and turneth not away for any;
A greyhound; an he goat also;
and a king, against whom there is no rising up.”
Proverbs 30:29-31

(And yes, we have another adventure to share!)

Mount Huron: Part 2

This was posted on August 24, 2014 by Sarah Maxwell.

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. — 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

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