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My goal this trip to Colorado was to do a sunrise climb with my 21-year old son Sam. We decided on doing Mt. Bierstadt since it was fairly close to where we were staying in Silverthorne.
We arrived at the trailhead around 1:40 am and began our climb.
I've lived in the country where it is dark (Illinois and Missouri). But I tell you what friends, I have never seen the Milky Way the way it was during this climb. It was simply amazing. The depth and display of the our galaxy was simply incredible. The occasional shooting star when you look up. It's a sight to behold and I would encourage everyone to do a sunrise climb sometime.
We were able to follow the trail pretty well in the dark with our headlamps....lots of cairns. When we got higher, we had to look around sometimes, but we always managed to find the trail. We saw a few headlamps behind us, but no headlamps in front of us.
We made it to the top around 4:15 - 4:20 am. We were by ourselves. It was a neat feeling being on top of a mountain all by yourselves. And to be the first ones on the summit for that particular day as well. Then we had had to wait for the sun. It was a little cold, a little windy. But the darkness and the galaxy above us were wonderful sights to behold. The wait was well worth it.
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We finally got company around 4:45 am. But that half hour of pure solitude was incredible. It was great that others wanted to share that same wonderful view.
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We stayed on the summit until about 6:30 am then started heading back down the trail. We both made a graceful crossing of Scott Gomer creek and were back in the car at 8:00 am and ready for a big breakfast with lots of bacon.
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Everyone needs to do a sunrise climb. You won't regret it one bit.
Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):
It's always good seeing some fellow tigers getting out there in the hills. Congrats!
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