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Hiking (or climbing in some cases) the high peaks of Colorado is a passion of mine that has not wavered. What has changed over the past year has been the way I enjoy it. Catalyzed by both a diminishing tolerance for exposure and 'pucker factor' and disinterest in specific lists or objectives, I have continued to get up high but do so in the way that I find the most fun. This particular trip is highly emblematic of this sentiment and is meaningful for a variety of reasons.
Up high for sunrise.
This trip centers around an iconic front range mountain. One that is both incredibly imposing on its northern and eastern aspect yet non notable based on its elevation. This was the barely-a-12er Mt. Toll in IPW. I think this peak represents everything that I enjoy about hiking high peaks these days. Amazing scenery, solitude, and a reason to climb it. What I get most out of this hobby is the feeling I get seeing a sunrise above treeline. Gratitude that I can do this and be healthy, aesthetic pleasure at the sights around me and overwhelming awe how small I am inside this amazing place.
Starting off with the stats:
Date 9/30/23
Distance: ~13 miles
Gain: ~3500 feet.
My hike started not at the Brainard lake parking lot but instead the Tuesday prior to this with the last minute idea to hike this peak. The weather was going to be good this weekend and the Fall colors were firing so I decided to snag a last minute (and last one) 5-8 AM permit for Brainard lake. My hike began around 540 in the morning in the dark and solo.I started my way up the Pawnee Pass trail.
Even though the likelihood of weather was really low, I always start this early. For the simple reason that I can get up high for sunrise. And it is everything I hoped to be (see above photo). A magnificent morning with alpenglow on Shoshoni and Navajo in this upper basin. From here I proceeded to the other 12er of the day Pawnee Peak and reached it after 2 hrs of hiking and saw my objective of the day.
Mt. Toll from the south.
Though there are many ways to access Toll with alpine climbs on the face and scrambly ridges, I was simply interested in the easiest way. From Pawnee it was a simple scree descent to the saddle and a Talus hop to the narrow and airy summit of Toll.
The views to the South. Navajo, Apache, Shoshoni, Kiowa, the Arapahoes and more.
Hi Boulder!!
Paiute, Copeland and other mountains to the north.
After enjoying the high splendor I decided to begin my retreat back to the trailhead. Quite satisfied with what I had done that day. I quickly went up and over Pawnee and made down to Lake Isabelle where I sat drank a beverage of choice and contemplated the future of my stay in this hobby.
Down to the lake!
Howdy from the pass
Some fall!
One last look
This same weekend, others were all over the state doing amazing things and //i begin to realize a peace with my place here that I haven't felt in sometime something I wanted. One of my friends was down in the San Juans borrowing my rack of climbing gear I seldom use to climb a class 5 13er. Instead of being jealous I was not there, I was here enjoying this state in the way I like, on my own time. I do not know what the future holds for me but my transformation from burgeoning if generic Colorado climber to mountain enjoyer own terms is done. And this hike to this peak showed me that I can enjoy what I want to do.
Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):
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