Climbing Grays Peak

I am not even sure where to start telling you about climbing a fourteener this weekend. I couldn't stop admiring the amazing ever changing views so I took about 100 photos.

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This was my first 14er so it was quite an experience!

I had always wanted to do one since I think it's part of being a Colorado girl. I finally just decided to do it and texted a friend to see if she wanted to join me the upcoming weekend.

My husband isn't too excited about hiking so he stayed home, he will be joining me though next time.

This is the start of our hike at 7 am. I had to wake up by 4:30 to get ready and get up there in time. The storms hit around 1 or 2 pm so you have to start early. When you are that far up above tree line storms roll in super fast and you don't want to be caught up there in any sort of storm.

The snow covered peak in the right of the picture is where we climbed to the top of.

My friend Tambra. She left for the Bahamas today so I haven't seen her pictures yet.

Random pile of rocks part way up.

We made it to the top!!

Shocked! The trail was unexpectedly snow cover that day. It is known as one of the easier hikes but the snow made it so much harder. Our focus changed from making it to the top to making sure your next step didn't send you sliding down the rocky mountain side.

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Views from the top.

On our way back down. Notice how the snow is now melted.

Tambra's skinned knees. Our ankles were so tired they kept giving out on the super rocky trail.

The nice boys we seemed to keep running into let us borrow their hiking poles. They sound silly but I may need a pair for next time.

Another shot of Grays.

Finally finished

I gotta say for two first timers we did a pretty good job! I am so excited for our next time! It took us over 7 hours and I burned 3,500 calories doing it but I loved it. I was so exhausted when I got home I needed a nap asap. I am pretty much worthless today and my butt and ankles burn.

I would try another next weekend but I have my first race next Saturday!

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One last picture to leave you with. I wish you could see how rough the road to get to the trail head was. I had been 4 wheeling before but I had never been the one driving. I made it out alive and all other SUVs behind us seemed to follow the path I took around the ruts.

A lot of even the SUVs parked at the start of the dirt road. It would have doubled our hike if we would have though.