August 7, 2010 - Redcloud Peak 14,034 ft - It was a 4 1/2 drive from Littleton to Lake City on Friday afternoon. However, it
took another hour in fast fading light to get to the trailhead where I camped out in my jeep for an early morning climb – to what I thought
was going to be Redcloud and Sunshine peaks.
This hike was unique for me because during this trip, I had several 'Oh shit!' moments. It started with the drive to the trailhead which
was 16 miles from the main road south of Lake City. About 11 miles into it, the road became what is classified as a shelf road – basically
a single vehicle width road carved like a shelf along the side of the mountain. As I drove – very carefully mind you – in what was now
pitch darkness, I could hear the stream far below. My heart was in my mouth as I went over potholes and boulders in the road that made
the jeep lean – too much for my liking. Oh shit – I don’t like this drive but I made it and promptly downed the only beer I packed for the
celebration AFTER the hike.
I am about half way down the steep ascent and wanted to get a shot of Redcloud. As I was coming down, I noted that the closeness the trail
had to the edge, and the steep drop-off wasn’t nearly as steep as I thought it was on my way up. I guess my 'Oh shit' moment was more from
not-knowing than it was from real danger.
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