DID it. a Colorado "Fourteener" — that is 14,000 feet elevation mountain climbed

Bucket List !!  a Colorado  Fourteener !  

Matt and Laura sure helped make this happen, and I much appreciate their assistance.  Being here helped get me acclimated to altitude and as Patt was away, Laura who was to accompany us and help carry some of the supplies stayed with the kids, so Matt and I climbed set out for an adventure.

at 7:00 AM people were wearing toboggans and gloves, it was cold and windy at Mt Bierstadt trail head in Arapahoe National Forest, west of Denver off I-70 near the town of Georgetown.  

To cut to the chase, we made it.  Got to the top just before noon, four hours hike of almost four miles.   By the end of the hike, Matt ended up carrying my share of the water and most of my extra clothing.  I was about beat.  Besides Matt had a large pack and had space in his pack so it was no problem.  This was Matt's second fourteener as he and Laura hiked Long's Peak back in 01 or 02 or sometime in the past when they were in Colorado.

This is how I felt.  There were a lot of peppy young people up there, bouncing around, a few old guys too must have been up there as some we met on the trail also acknowledged being up top.  Passed 'em coming down too.

This is the schematic of the hike.  and yes it is steep.  Will make your thighs burn, pulse get high and do a little heavy breathing.

Actual elevation of Mt Bierstadt is 14,060 feet.  There is a slight drop from trail head to peak through the valley near the lake that is visible in a few of the photographs looking back toward the trail head.  

 though the hike starts innocently enough thorough some chaparral (?) of varying height,

It was one of those beautiful clear days that did warm up though remained a bit windy and we had some magnificent views.

Once into the open we had clear view of the trail and that we were not alone.  We also know that as we got passed often. 

 The higher we went the more rocky it became.  and it got real rocky.

The peak of the mountain was referred to as the "rock pile" and there it is.  At this point I am taking little half steps s l o w l y.

In the rock pile I found my self just standing often, trying to find a place to next take a movement to make progress upward that did not involve major muscle groups having to move a lot.  In other words shuffling along as in the previous picture was no longer an option.

 Walking along the ridge line down from the peak — not too narrow a ridge and due to the terrain not one given to taking a lot of time to enjoy the view and continue moving.

the views were great-  and air clear-  no idea as to how far we were seeing but it was pretty far.

the view of the other side of the mountain- looking east

had a nice thirty minute lunch break / rest here at the top with this view too.

 and out of the rock field before the chaparral there were lots of varieties and an abundance of wild flowers.

 just off the rock pile one of several snow packs.

(we did not have to walk through any snow)

Mt Bierstadt in the distance.  When this photo was taken, on the way down my legs were quivering from the effort of trying to stand still as Matt also took a panorama photo.  

after a little over two hours of walking down, back at the trail head, Mt Bierstadt in the distance.

Thanks again especially to Matt for helping make this bucket list day happen!  A wonderful hiking day and hiking partner.  Time for more bucket list things to be checked off.