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Date Climbed: 11/11/2011
On Summit: 11:11:11 am
Trailhead: Longs Peak
Mileage: 6.4
Elevation Gain: 1995'
Partners: Craig, Bobby & me
As a scientist, I am a big fan of symmetry and finding order in the chaos. So as I was looking at my peak list last week, I noted that I was missing a peak in the 11k range (I have at least one peak in the 8k to 14k range). So I figured that this weekend would be the one to fix the gap. Then when I realized that Friday was 11-11-11 day, it all fell into place. I MUST hike an 11er! Estes Cone seemed like a nice close by option, and I even managed to find some partners to go with.
Met my partners at the trail head, and we headed up a fairly well stomped snow trail. We had held off putting on traction devices, but we didn't make it more than a 100 yards before deciding that it would probably be a good idea to put them on. Icy packed trails have frequently found my bum hitting them more time than naught. For the first mile (to Eugenia mine) the trail was well packed down, after that there were small snow drifts but nothing too bad.
Eugenia Mine
First good view of Estes Cone from the trail
Once at the junction to Storm Pass, there were no more tracks, or visible trail. Time to utilize navigation skills! That, and put on gaiters, since I hate wet socks/boots!
Where did the trail go?
Trail up to Estes Cone after Storm Pass
The summit area of Estes Cone is rather rocky. I decided to go rather ridge top proper and there was some minor scrambling needed, but not bad. After all the trail hiking, it was nice to play on some rocks. Hardest part was finding the "true" summit amongst all the rocky prominences. And while we didn't arrive on the summit at 11:11:11, we did remain on the summit until that time. Perfect Symmetry!
Walking the rocky ridge
Last rocky pitch to the summit
Nice view of Longs
RMNP Pano
Twin Sisters
Happy 11er Hikers
Continued.....
