Our trip up to Uncompaghre was broken into 2 days:
After successfully running Sunshine/Redcloud, we headed to Lake City for some lunch/dinner, then headed out on another dirt road crowded with ATVs and Jeeps and tried to go up the 4WD one lane road to the Uncompaghre trailhead. No way were we making it up this rutted out, boulder strewn road. We didn't even make it 10 feet, so we parked at a dispersed campsite, packed up our backpacking gear and headed up the road...into a rain storm. No problem, it's only a 2 mile hike up to the trailhead, right?! Nope, turned out to be 4.5 miles and all uphill for 2,000 feet of vertical gain (reading comprehension skills, Alaina?!).
Ryan got a little grumpy. And by grumpy, he complained with every step of the 2,500 feet of gain ;) It was a long walk with a pack that might have
been only 15lbs but felt like 100lbs. We made it in the light and set up
our camp in the woods and tried to start a fire. Little too soggy for
that. Oh well, we saw an incredible sunset over the mountains and cashed
out early.
Next
morning up with the sun and onto the trail up Uncompahgre Peak for our
4th 14er of the weekend. All 3 of us were tired, but at least Cody's
boots allowed her to complete the hike.
Our hike started at 11,500 feet, just past the trailhead. The first half of the hike was a lot more runnable than the other 14ers we had done over the weekend, but we were too tired to try.
The non-runnable part was a scramble up a scree field just at the top of mountain. Cody was a little billy goat, running up with no fear, while her parents cautiously picked their way through the rocks.
The landscape on this trail was very different than Handies- not quite as inspiring, but unique in it's own right, especially because the funny looking Uncompahgre Mountain was always just up ahead.
Our hike started at 11,500 feet, just past the trailhead. The first half of the hike was a lot more runnable than the other 14ers we had done over the weekend, but we were too tired to try.
The non-runnable part was a scramble up a scree field just at the top of mountain. Cody was a little billy goat, running up with no fear, while her parents cautiously picked their way through the rocks.
The landscape on this trail was very different than Handies- not quite as inspiring, but unique in it's own right, especially because the funny looking Uncompahgre Mountain was always just up ahead.
The top had incredible views, as always. This trail is more out of the way than most so it was nice to be on top with only a few other hikers (compared to the party atop Redcloud/Sunshine). While we were rejuvantating at 14,000 feet, a plane flew by. We were so high up that the plane was at eye level. Now that was cool!
Running
back down was great fun, glissading down some snow fields and taking
pics and videos. We'd finally woken up by then.
And back at camp, we packed up our site then met up with a couple at the trailhead who had driven their truck up, so Alaina and Cody took a ride with them back down while Ryan ran down super fast, beating the car travelers by 15 minutes!
And back at camp, we packed up our site then met up with a couple at the trailhead who had driven their truck up, so Alaina and Cody took a ride with them back down while Ryan ran down super fast, beating the car travelers by 15 minutes!
Overall this was a very fun hike. If you start at the bottom of the 4WD road it would be an 11.87 mile run 5,760 feet of total climbing, most of which is runnable. The trail is also mostly dirt pack, with some rockier sections. The only time sticky/sturdy shoes are needed is for the last scramble.
You guys are amazing! A couple of questions...
ReplyDelete1) How does Cody handle the scrambling/larger rocks on your climbs? We have an aussie and I feel like it is tough enough just getting myself over the rocks on the steep areas, let alone my dog! Haha.
2) Did it take Cody a while to get used to her booties? After a nasty pad ripping incident a few weeks ago I am definitely looking into getting a pair for mine.
3) Do you have any website/blog/book recommendations on 14ers or trail running and hiking in the mountains? I'm definitely not as big into running as you two but I do enjoy hiking (with a little bit of running) in the mountains.
Thanks! Keep on posting, I LOVE it!
Thanks for the feedback!
Delete1) Cody is better on the larger rocks than us humans- by far! She is part mountain goat. The only time we have to help her is if the rock is significantly larger than she is. BUT- this is because she is a very cautious dog, and if she can't see the top of the rock, she is more reluctant to jump on it. That being said, the reason we can take her on some of the crazier mountains is because she is very careful, makes very good decisions, and is excellent at picking the safest route anytime we are scrambling.
2) Pad ripping sucks! The first time we came to CO, Cody tore her pads on our first hike :( She has been wearing boots for a few years now. We initially had them when we lived in Michigan for the cold winters and salt on the side walks. She didn't necessarily like the boots at first, but once she wore them on rough rocks when her paws hurt, she kind of realized their utility. Sometimes she'll still complain and act all dramatic for a mile or two, but eventually she just sucks it up and they truly do help her.
3) The main website I use for 14ers is 14ers.com. I also have the 14ers book by Gerry Roach (Colorado's Fourteeners). When it comes to other trails, I try to find locations on the national forest websites, and protrails.com. It is often difficult to find really detailed maps though, so if I don't find what I'm looking for via a blog or website, I buy a map of the area from National Geographic. They have excellent terrain and trail maps!