A 4 1/2 Hour Sunday Hike

 We decided to hike to the top of the mountain we live on. Walk out the back door and hike straight to the top. It was a 4 1/2 hour hike round trip and very strenuous. Probably as hard as they come as we had dense pine stands, multiple dead falls very steep rocky ground and pine cones that roll under your feet as well as rocks. The last several hundred yards were about 70 degrees which is close to straight up. Many places we had to crawl on all fours. Above is Carol standing on the very top of the mountain. There a a marker at her feet that mark the high point of the mountain. We came out at the exact spot that we aimed for which is a den in the rocks that bears must use in the winter. We came out right at our back yard but going down is as dangerous as going up as if you fall there is nothing short of bone crunching that can stop you.

 The above photo shows that there is still snow on the top of the mountain. This drift is about 8' deep I'd guess (+or-).

This is the view from the top of the mountain of the community we live in with the Spanish Peaks in the background. 

Another view looking toward LaVeta with a lake in the forefront. This is a strenuous hike for someone on the downhill side of mid 70's, but it was worth it to struggle up the mountain to once again see the speculator views. It was a good day for it with the temperature at 70 degrees, slight breeze and slightly overcast. Lots of aches and pains but those will go away and the views and memory of taking a picnic to the top of the mountain with my wife will last and last.