Jeromy Takes on the Maroon Bells!

The day started mild, but soon hail, lightening and rain at set in at 12k feet with little cover. Chalk one for the mountain and mother nature.

Being above tree line in a hail/lightening storm shapes character, fortunately it lasted for less than 30 minutes. Temporary shelter was provided by Joey Clark. We hooked up a tarp to a few bushes and hiking poles and became extremely friendly with one another. One more for the mountain!

Here are my hiking companions left to right Wallace Wilmont, Page Clark, Jonathan Clark and Joey Clark
1st day skies look mild but....that soon changed.

This is a picture between Frigid Air Pass and Trailrider pass the 2nd day of our 30 mile hike into the wilderness. I was feeling quite refressed after a great night sleep. Chalk one for the hikers.

Here is Page Clark and Wallace Wilmont overlooking a steep cliff.

Wallace works at 11K-14k feet for the cog railway (pikes pike) Needless to say he made his way up the mountains very well. Don't make a wrong step on this switchback otherwise you'll tuble down 1-2k feet.

Lush mountain waterfall at 10k feet

Snow covered mountains in August in the background

Crossing a mountain stream in sneakers is not recommended. We are all feeling much better during the day mother nature gives us a rest and we enjoy the mild summer morning hiking to the top of Trailrider pass.

3rd Day, I woke up and crossed to the opposite side of Snowmass lake, we camped just on the other side where this photo was taken. The lake is crystal clear lots of fisherman the afternoon we arrived.

Looking back at Trailrider pass from Snowmass Lake. Trailrider was one brutal pass (it probably took us 3-4 hours to complete the climb)

More views of Snowmass Lake

Sun rise over snowmass lake

View between Trailrider pass and buckskin pass

Great beaver damn (probably 20-25 feet across) if flooded the entire valley

View of backside of Maroon Bells

This was taken from the top of Buckskin pass looking down on Lake Snowmass on our 3rd day