At a recent 14ers happy hour I was informed that I should write a more boring trip report after my last few. So here goes. I'll give it a try.

9/6/26
Montzuma Peak (13,158)
The Unicorn (13,030)
5.3 miles and 2500 feet of gain

A few years back we came down to the South San Juans on the 4th of July and climbed Summit Peak. Paula had already climbed Montezuma and The Unicorn years before so we didn't go over and repeat them that day. I had a few days over Labor Day and decided that instead of climbing something sensible that might have other people around I'd go down to perhaps one of the emptiest places in Colorado to climb my first new 13ers since my heart attack. I had repeated Bierstadt a few weeks ago with some friends and done a couple of other 12ers this year so I felt like I was going to be fine but there was still a little hint of fear.

I stopped in Del Norte for a quick check in before heading south into the wilderness. I'd at least done this drive before and passed Grayback and Bonito on the way in which we'd also climbed on that last trip. Without any drama I finally pulled into the trailhead at Treasure Creek 30 miles later in between a few trucks that I assume were hunters camping nearby as I never saw them. I spent a quiet night at the trailhead without any company. From our past trip here and with Paula's advice I knew to head straight up the hill near the trailhead and stay to the right of the stream. There was a decent trail in places and in others it turned into a game trail or nothing at all. After about 40 minutes the terrain started opening up and I could see Summit again over to my right.

The dead plants in the valley actually made for very easy travel and I only had a small number of willows to fight through. All together a really uneventful bushwhacking experience. I started to head up grassy slopes towards Montezuma but at first couldn't really tell where I was going as the ridge ahead all looked about the same. I realized at one point I was a bit right of where I needed to be and headed back left in a straighter line to the summit. In reality it wouldn't have mattered as I ended up on the plateau below the summit pyramid of Montezuma all the same.

I headed for the right side of the pyramid (east) but it really doesn't matter as both sides are no more than Class 2. Maybe a few Class 2+ moves in there but nothing very difficult. I'll try and keep the drama light but there were a couple of narrow spots to navigate and between my health issues, having a 4 year old at home, and feeling very, very alone on this climb I mentally had to take a few deep breaths and slow down. None of this was hard in normal circumstances but I'm trying to get back on the mountain so to speak and it's still a process. Enough of that. Back to the climb.

I ended up on the summit in short order and signed the register. The weather was beautiful and it felt great to be on a new 13er finally.

I didn't promise zero tears from this trip report either but I've started doing something that means a lot to me on summits. Since Maya passed away I've been carrying my daughter's stuffed cattle dog that she calls little Maya as a memento and good luck. In a way it makes me feel like Maya is still with me and looking out for me. I also bring Maya's last collar along. I've told my daughter that having her along helps makes me feel safe and that I'm honoring her memory.

With the register signed and a few snacks eaten I started heading towards The Unicorn. From a distance it's deceiving and looks very steep but up close it's just easy grassy slopes and nothing complicated. In fairly quick time I made it over to my second summit of the day.

Little Maya got out of the pack a second time for a summit photo and I took a longer break and contemplated a nap. By my count this was my 200th peak over 13k. Who knew that one day an asthmatic kid from Nebraska would be able say that.

Eventually I started heading down and said goodbye to The Unicorn. Travel was easy and I crossed back over the CDT. I still expected to see someone else out hiking but had the valley all to myself.

I made my way back through the dead plants and found bits of the trail I'd followed that morning. Finally towards the end I lost it slightly but soon after saw the car and it didn't matter at that point. I packed up camp and headed towards the trailhead for Conejos that I was planning for the next day. On the way I stopped in Platoro briefly. Very strange place. Amazing that people live out there.

9/7/26
Conejos Peak (13,176)
6.5 miles and 1960 feet of gain

I followed my map and made the very long and winding drive to the Upper Tobacco Lake trailhead. Honestly this has to be one of the most remote and wild trailheads in Colorado. Out there is an understatement. You drive miles and miles up the mountainside only to end up at a lonely parking area with a beaten up forest service sign and an old sign in sheet. I was the only car there until a couple showed up to dayhike but eventually they left and I spent the night alone up there with my Kindle and my thoughts. I half expected someone else to show up but no one ever did. After a crappy night of sleep I eventually decided to stop fighting it and got dressed and ready and headed off up the trail at 5:20am before daylight. In the dark I half expected to get attacked by a bear or a mountain lion but nothing dramatic happened and eventually the sun came up as I neared Tobacco Lake.

It was a bit of a moody morning but I'd checked the forecast and the chances of storms was low so I wasn't that worried. Even compared to the area I'd been at the previous day this place felt very lonely. Maybe it was the clouds but there was a vibe to the place that's hard to explain.

I followed the trail around the north side of the lake and then lost it soon after. It really didn't matter as the grass slopes were all mild. I did find a few sections of trail here and there below the ridge and eventually a stronger trail on the ridge itself.

I made the summit in a little over 2 hours and given the early hour it was windy and cold. I didn't end up staying long but it was a beautiful summit. One quick health note is that while my pace is obviously good again I still have a hard time keeping my heart rate down and stop frequently to take a breather and let it drop back down. It's just a new game I play of keeping an eye on how I'm feeling and make sure I stop when needed or drink water. It's just made some of the hiking a bit more conscious effort to make sure I'm doing the right things. I can't even say it's a bad thing to hike with more awareness. It's just the way it is now.

I was worried Little Maya was going to blow away so I stuck her in a low spot on the cairn for her photo.

Uneventfully I made it back to the trailhead a little after 9am and packed up the car for the long drive home. Turns out it was very long. Between getting out of the South San Juans and then holiday traffic I didn't roll into Denver until well after 5pm.

All together a great few days and it felt great to do some new 13ers finally. Still some mental challenges which is no surprise. They'll probably always be there in some form but every summit helps knock them back a little. I hope I've delivered on my low drama trip report promise.