Mt. Yale Trip Report 12/06/2023

Report Type	Full
Peak(s)	Mt. Yale - 14,200 feet
Date Posted	12/06/2023
Date Climbed	08/04/2023
Author	AKclimbs

Mt Yale repeat - August 2023
Mount Yale repeat—08/04/2023 Distance—9.52 miles Gain—4,324 ft Start Time—1:30pm End Time—7:10pm 2023 was filled with so many awesome hikes. This one was no exception. It was good to be back in the collegiate peaks… Before the hike: Before going to the Denny Gulch trailhead, I decided to make one stop before hand. Cottonwood lake. Parked my car and got my towel. Went to take a dip in the water. Ahhh so refreshing. My leg muscles were ready to go… The hike: Parked at the paved trailhead and got out to stretch and get my pack ready. Checked the forecast one last time to find it would be clear blue skies. I was off and running by 1:30pm. Charged through the forest on the well defined class 1 trail (pic #1). Reached the trail junction and turned right. Got to the switchbacks where the views started to open up (pic #2 and #3). Reached tree line where there was a good pine tree to protect from any wind (pic #4). Took a break to fuel up with some beef jerky, granola bars, and some 14er brand Wedding Cake (pic #5). Assessed the weather to find that it was still clear and no threatening clouds. So I continued… Followed the trail above tree line below the saddle with amazing views of the 3 Apostles to my left (pic #6 and #7). Reached the saddle at 4:20pm. Took a right turn to begin up the ridge (pic #8). There are a couple options here, ridge proper or just climbers right of ridge. I chose to stay on the ridge (pic #9). There was some loose rock but also some solid rock on the ridge (pic #10). By 4:49pm, I was standing on the summit of Mount Yale (pic #11, #12 and #13). Made sure to appreciate all of the views. My favorite view was looking north to neighboring Mount Harvard and the long approach to get there (pic #14). What a day! I am blessed to have the opportunity to hit these summits I will never take it for granted. Started back down the ridge and by 5:30pm I was back at the saddle. From here it is class 1 trail back down (pic #15 and #16). Got below tree line and found a memorable rock which I remember taking a picture of back in July 2015 (pic #17). It was great to be back in the forest. There’s just something about being surrounded by trees that I really enjoy (pic #18 and #19). By 7:01pm I kept checking my Strava route to find that I was getting closer to the trailhead. Took one last forest trail picture (pic #20) and started trail running to the finish line. Made it back to my car and did some cool down stretches. After the hike: The sun didn’t set until 8:45pm so I had time to go hit Cottonwood Pass at sunset. Smoked in my car, as is the tradition for every mountain pass. Then got out to walk around and take a few pictures (pic #21, #22, and #23). Walked up part of the Colorado trail collegiate peaks west. Amazing views all around. It was awesome to cap off a great summer day in the mountains with an epic sunset! Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):

Mt Yale repeat - August 2023

Mount Yale repeat—08/04/2023

Distance—9.52 miles

Gain—4,324 ft

Start Time—1:30pm

End Time—7:10pm

2023 was filled with so many awesome hikes. This one was no exception. It was good to be back in the collegiate peaks…

Before the hike: Before going to the Denny Gulch trailhead, I decided to make one stop before hand. Cottonwood lake. Parked my car and got my towel. Went to take a dip in the water. Ahhh so refreshing. My leg muscles were ready to go…

The hike: Parked at the paved trailhead and got out to stretch and get my pack ready. Checked the forecast one last time to find it would be clear blue skies. I was off and running by 1:30pm.

Charged through the forest on the well defined class 1 trail (pic #1). Reached the trail junction and turned right. Got to the switchbacks where the views started to open up (pic #2 and #3).

Reached tree line where there was a good pine tree to protect from any wind (pic #4). Took a break to fuel up with some beef jerky, granola bars, and some 14er brand Wedding Cake (pic #5). Assessed the weather to find that it was still clear and no threatening clouds. So I continued…

Followed the trail above tree line below the saddle with amazing views of the 3 Apostles to my left (pic #6 and #7).

Reached the saddle at 4:20pm. Took a right turn to begin up the ridge (pic #8). There are a couple options here, ridge proper or just climbers right of ridge. I chose to stay on the ridge (pic #9). There was some loose rock but also some solid rock on the ridge (pic #10).

By 4:49pm, I was standing on the summit of Mount Yale (pic #11, #12 and #13). Made sure to appreciate all of the views. My favorite view was looking north to neighboring Mount Harvard and the long approach to get there (pic #14). What a day! I am blessed to have the opportunity to hit these summits I will never take it for granted.

Started back down the ridge and by 5:30pm I was back at the saddle. From here it is class 1 trail back down (pic #15 and #16). Got below tree line and found a memorable rock which I remember taking a picture of back in July 2015 (pic #17).

It was great to be back in the forest. There’s just something about being surrounded by trees that I really enjoy (pic #18 and #19).

By 7:01pm I kept checking my Strava route to find that I was getting closer to the trailhead. Took one last forest trail picture (pic #20) and started trail running to the finish line. Made it back to my car and did some cool down stretches.

After the hike: The sun didn’t set until 8:45pm so I had time to go hit Cottonwood Pass at sunset. Smoked in my car, as is the tradition for every mountain pass. Then got out to walk around and take a few pictures (pic #21, #22, and #23). Walked up part of the Colorado trail collegiate peaks west. Amazing views all around. It was awesome to cap off a great summer day in the mountains with an epic sunset!

Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):

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