From the top of Mt. Lincoln last week I noticed a pretty little lake to the north that looked to be an easy hike from the base of Hoosier pass off of Montgomery Resevoir.  I decided to play guide a bit and take Amelia, Cedric, and our mutual friend and babysitter, Lizzy Skiles to that lake.  The hike was fun, easy, fairly painless, and gorgeous.  I didn't take many photos since we were on somewhat limited time and only brought the camera out when we stopped to eat at a subsidiary pond of Wheeler Lake.  Enjoy!

If you have a canister stove, you've simply GOT to buy one of these bases.  The ground wasn't level, which usually spells "spill" with a canister, but with this base it didn't matter.

Good Lord my baby is cute.

Yesterday, I got the insane idea to wake up at 2 AM and go hike a couple of 14ers.  I had heard that the Democrat-->Cameron-->Lincoln route was easy and enjoyable so I thought I would give it a shot.  Up at 2 AM and trying not to fall asleep at the wheel I drove into Alma, the highest incorporated town in the US, at the base of these mountains at 4 AM and spent an hour looking for a place to appropriately park myself.  The road to Kite Lake was closed so I ended up parking in a sketchy area that was clearly marked "Private Property."  Don't try that one at home.  I basically speed walked the mountains in an odd fashion going Cameron-->Democrat-->Cameron-->Lincoln, stopping only to take photographs and a quick drink.  I was so nervous about getting back to my car before it got impounded that I didn't take an extended break until I had zoomed up Mt. Democrat and back to the top of Cameron.  At which point my body was threatening mutiny for not bringing any food and not enough water.

I survived (despite my idiocy of not bringing food) and got back to my un-impounded car at 10 AM and then back home at noon.  8 1/2 miles in all!  Enjoy.

The sun peaking through across the valley at Mt. Silverheels.  This mining road added to the "I'll just take a quick walk" feeling.

The approach to Mt. Cameron.  I walked up to the saddle on the left.

Mt. Lincoln with pretty flowers in the foreground :-)

Possibly Clinton peak? seen from the saddle between Mt. Cameron and Mt. Lincoln.

On the left is Mt. Cameron with Mt. Lincoln behind it as seen from Mt. Democrat.  On the right is the stupidest bird I have ever encountered: a Ptarmigan.  I was literally about 2 feet from it and it just looked at me.

Mt. Quandary on the right and the range of mountains "owned" by Breckenridge Ski Area behind it as seen from Mt. Lincoln.  Quandary may just be next for me.

In a very short time I will be resuming my regular wedding posting on this blog with three weddings in the queue and in process.  But so long as I keep taking my camera with me into the mountains I find this an interesting place to journal my occasional and sporadic journeys.  I hope you don't mind :-)  This week, my beloved wife, beautiful baby, and I, packed up the gear and headed to the hills for a quick overnight and hike.  I had seen a drop dead gorgeous road camping spot whilst driving around last week and decided to take them there.  The view was stunning, Amelia hiked her first real mountain, Cedric camped well and deemed the entire trip rather comical (per his facial expressions and happy demeanor), and I got the joy of time well spent with my family.  An all around wonderful trip.  Enjoy!

Breastfed at elev. 11.5K :-)

After last week's cold and miserable failure to hike the North Twin Cone I waited for an optimal day to make a quick jaunt up to the top its grassy and humble 12,000 foot peak.  At the first forecast of today's weather I knew that this would be the day.  After missing my 4:30 AM alarm I jolted awake at first light in our basement (5:30 AM) and at 5:34 AM I was dressed and in my dad's truck.  At 7:17 AM I left the truck to hike the "North Cone" and at 8:36 AM I nestled between two rocks on the summit to snap some photos and study my map.  Since I was essentially scouting I made all of the pertinent observations on my map, noting future campsites, sources of water, and moderately inaccessible areas (to get away from people) and then dropped about 40 feet off of the east side of the summit to escape the freezing winds of 50 MPH and get a drink.  I lingered over the readings of a noted Libertarian on my new Sony eReader for a few minutes and then jaunted right back down.  I was home before noon.  Lovely views.  This area should afford a hearty and intermediate reintroduction to backpacking at altitude after a seven year break in Iowa.  Welcome back me :-)

Of course, I'm never one to shy away from recording myself in an area for the sake of profile photos.  One of my favorite philosophy professors calls this narcissism.  I disagree.  It's rather like making a public note of oneself at the top of any summit (which is a common practice.)

This week my brother and I opted to spend Friday evening and Saturday morning in the great outdoors.  He rides a dirt bike and I was going to go hike North Twin Cone to scout for an upcoming backpacking trip in the Kenosha Mountains.  On Friday we threw the truck in 4WD and did some sketchy driving.  Then it started hailing.  Then it started snowing...in June.  Then it was 30F.  Scouting would be useless so I didn't do anything on Saturday morning and we left after he did some riding.  We had fun though :-)

Yours truly on the left.  Just a bit cranky about what's on the right forcing me to wear four layers in June.