We'll be back for you, Silverheels.

Well, we attempted Mt Silverheels south of Breckenridge off of Hoosier Pass today.  The weather looked cloudy, but stable until we hit about 13,000 feet, then the clouds started gathering.  Dark clouds.  Clouds that could hold lightning.  So, we made the tough call to head back down without gaining the summit.  Discouraging, for sure, but the right call - just a few minutes after we got in the car and starting heading home, rain and lightning hit the area we just came from...justification.  :)

Some pictures below from our hike - it was a beautiful day to hike.  We started across the road from the Hoosier Pass parking area, followed the road up to some towers and then headed up and off-trail.  I'm guessing we did about 9 miles, almost all off-trail.  Our favorite kind of hike!  We saw about 4 other hikers on the way out, NONE on the way back, until we were within 1/2 mile of our car.  I love the solitude and connection with nature that can be had by strapping on some hiking boots, packing the day pack with layers and snacks and heading off into the mountains.  Thank you, Colorado for another beautiful day above 10,000 feet.

I think my favorite picture (and moment) is when Tom called me over to where he'd stopped and pointed out a white-tailed ptarmigan in the rocks - it was SO hard to spot!  Only when we'd both taken pictures and were almost ready to move on, did I notice the second one, looking to be sitting on a nest.  Just fantastic!  These birds don't startle easily and usually hold their ground, making for some great photo opportunities...

The Ptarmigan

 

Views to the West

A fantastic thistle. 

Mt Silverheels

Tom heading down

Some late summer bloomers...