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We arrived at base camp, a great rental home in Lake City, on Tuesday, September 7, traveling in from Little Rock, Houston, Kansas City and Breckenridge for four days of climbing in the San Juan's. This was to be our 3rd consecutive year of climbing Fourteeners, always arriving the day after Labor Day. In 2009 we based in the Summit County area and in 2009 we stayed at the Leadville Hostel.
This year's climbing contingent included Tim (AK), Greg (KS), Stranger (TX), Mike (CO) and Rockchalker (TX). Joining us at the end of day 2 would be Bob (CO) and JRock (CO). Missing from this year's group, but sure to join us in 2011, were Stu (NY), Gene (NM) and John (KS). We enjoyed beer and Buffalo Burgers that first night at the Packer Saloon and Cannibal Grill in downtown Lake City.
On the itinerary for Wednesday was Redcloud/Sunshine from the Silver Creek Trailhead. We were up at 4 AM, on the road by 5 AM and at the trailhead ready to go by around 6:45 AM. Temps were in the high 30's with very low cloud cover, overcast and intermittent drizzle. It was an uneventful trek to the summit but unfortunately the very low cloud cover obscured our views of the nearby mountains. Conditions worsened on the summit with even lower visibility, lower temperatures and an increase in drizzle, intermixed with some light snow. We hung out on top less than 30 minutes and decided to abandon the hike on over to Sunshine and head on back to the trailhead.
We took our time coming back down the trail, observing the many marmots and picas, as they prepared for their winter hibernation. We were back at the car by around 2 PM and back at our rental home in Lake City by 4 PM. Dinner that night was great BBQ at the Smoque Shack, large quantities of meat at very reasonable prices. On schedule for Thursday was Handies Peak via Grizzly Gulch.
Tim, Greg and Rockchalker on the way up
Tim, Greg and Mike
Rockchalker, Mike and Greg headed up
Tim and Greg prior to final summit approach
In the clouds
Tim and Mike on the summit
Rockchalker and Mike on the summit
Tim on the summit
Rockchalker on the summit
Greg approaching from Sunshine
Tim, Greg and Mike on the summit
Tim, Stranger, Greg and Mike
Greg, Stranger, Mike, Tim and Rockchalker back at the trailhead
Shelf road back to Lake City
Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):
Too bad the weather didn't cooperate a little better for you. I really like the shelf road photo in this report and your Handies report - I remember this portion of the road had my complete concentration.
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