Sopris

Mount Sopris: elevation- 12,950 feet...terrain-scree fields...weather-hail...Fun!

View of Sopris from the trail to Thomas Lakes

 
This past weekend I hiked Mount Sopris with my friend, Laura. I wake up every morning with a view of the mountain and ever since arriving in Colorado, I swore I would hike it. Since the cold is fast approaching, this past weekend seemed like the best option. We could not have had better timing. All of the Aspens are painted gold, the temperature for hiking is perfect, and the sun is still shining every day.
We headed out late Friday afternoon. It's possible to summit in one day, but you have to start ridiculously early to get to the top before noon; otherwise, there's a good chance you'll get stuck in a storm in the afternoon. Therefore, Laura and I decided to camp out for the night at Thomas Lakes. The hike in was uneventful; the majority of our time was spent adjusting our packs. The last time we had been backpacking together was when we hiked the Long Trail, so of course we had to reminisce during the 3.5 miles in. The two lakes are sheltered by the mountain, making a quiet retreat for a good night's camp. Laura and I found a campsite next to the bigger lake, surrounded by Aspens and with a great view of the summit. Arriving to the campsite at 5pm, there wasn't much to do other than eat a relaxed dinner by the lake and set up camp.

Dinner by Thomas Lakes

There was only one other person staying at the campsite and they were set far away from us, but I was happy they were there. The week before we set out there had been several sightings of mountain lions in the area. A small dog had been killed a few nights before our hike, but everyone I talked to had been very reassuring in that the cats wouldn't attack. Nevertheless, I was worried and on guard. Two pretty girls all alone in the woods might look tasty to a big cat. We didn't see any signs of mountain lions, but I'm sure they knew we were there.
 As dark fell over our campsite, we fell into our sleeping bags. Laura and I are notorious for going to bed early on the trail and we did not fail that expectation this time around. Of course, this just allowed us to get a long, peaceful sleep in before waking up at 6am to start hiking. We weaved our way through the Aspens by headlamp to filter water and break down camp. Then it was up the mountain!
It's only 3 miles to the summit from the lakes, but it is some of the toughest terrain I've ever handled. For the first half-mile, we were still under tree line and walking easily on switchbacks. However, the pines quickly get far and few between before giving way completely to scree fields. For the next 2 miles, we hiked over small rocks that easily gave out to rock slides on a knife edge ridge. The advantage to these scree fields is that 1) you get amazing views all the way to the summit and 2) it gives you and excuse to move at a glacial pace. Laura and I were careful with every step, as the rocks were an excellent way to ruin already tentative ankles. Plus, the incline was ridiculous. The ridge we climbed seemed as if it went straight up. Combined with the gaining altitude, this hike was just not fair.
As usual though, I was impressed by our attitudes. Not once did we get distraught or think of turning back. We were going to climb this mountain, slow and steady as we always do. We chatted up the guys who passed us, laughing after they got out of earshot that they were kicking our asses. It has never mattered to Lo or I that we do a hike as fast as possible; we hike it because we love it. We hike to find excellent sitting rocks so we can enjoy the view and have a little snack. We hike to feel the accomplishment of reaching the top and having nowhere else to go but down. And so, we hike it slow.
Reaching the summit at 10:30am, we bundled up against the cold at 12,950 feet. Sopris is the highest thing around, so we got panoramic views of the Roaring Fork Valley and the Maroon Bells- Snowmass Wilderness. Snow piled in drifts in the shaded crags of the mountain and avalanche paths were clearly marked in the scree. It felt good to be that high. I could definitely feel the altitude; the last stretch of mountain was a struggle to breathe. Sopris is the highest mountain I have ever climbed; I am so ready for a Fourteener now.

Views of the Roaring Fork Valley from the summit

A few minutes into our climb down, a hail storm hit. Nothing serious, just a "dippin dot shower" as a fellow climber said. With slippery rocks to now negotiate, the climb down was nerve racking, but joyful. By the time we got down to the lakes, the sun was back out and we strapped on our packs once again to head out.
After hiking 13 miles, we came off the trail. Now, whenever I go out to take care of the dogs, I see Sopris and smile. Next time I do it, I'm bringing my dogs...