A Second Attempt to Climb Mt. Princeton

After a failed attempt to climb Mt. Princeton last September, Lonny, Lisa, and I decided we wanted to tackle it again. Joining us this time also was Tracy. Unfortunately, the weather was, once again, uncooperative. We made it up to about the same spot we turned back last year (about 13,400 ft) when it started to rain on us - which was shortly followed by lightning.

This, of course, led to a rather hasty retreat back down the mountain, defeated and disappointed. The hike, however, was not a total loss, as we encountered a lemonade stand at tree line, and entertainment in the form of a large truck that had slipped off the side of the road, which was now getting towed back onto the road surface. Thankfully, I captured a video of the excitement (it was far more exciting watching it in person - trust me).

Mt. Princeton in the morning light and clouds

 

7-28-2007 6:42 am

 

Tracy and Lisa

 

7-28-2007 7:55 am

 

The valley below Mt. Princeton obscured by swirling clouds

These low hanging clouds blocked our view for much of the morning. It reminded Lisa and I of our hike up Mt. Shavano a few years back.

 

7-28-2007 8:14 am

 

A ground squirrel, seeking us for food

 

7-28-2007 8:41 am

 

Low clouds over the chalk cliffs

 

7-28-2007 8:45 am

 

Brian and Lisa

 

Photo by Lonny Jacobson

7-28-2007 8:46 am

 

[PAUSE THE SLIDESHOW BELOW TO WATCH THE ENTIRE VIDEO]

Brian's Hike Cam

 

7-28-2007 8:50 am

 

The clouds finally broke enough to reveal the summit ahead of us

 

7-28-2007 8:58 am

 

5 minutes later, we were enveloped into the fog and clouds

 

7-28-2007 9:03 am

 

Tracy and Lonny

 

7-28-2007 9:19 am

 

The trail meandering along the rocky mountainside

 

7-28-2007 10:03 am

 

A view to the southwest of Princeton from the ridgeline

 

7-28-2007 10:11 am

 

Ascending steep switchbacks to the ridgeline

 

7-28-2007 10:12 am

 

Clouds envelop us, partially obscuring the view of Buena Vista

At about 13,300 feet, rain and gropple (similar to hail) started to fall - this was a big clue that lightning was sure to follow. At 11am, we heard the first crash of thunder.

 

Photo by Lisa Davis

7-28-2007 10:47 am

 

 

Photo by Lonny Jacobson

7-28-2007 10:53 am

 

A baby pika

 

Photo by Lisa Davis

7-28-2007 11:54 am

 

Storm clouds descending into South Park

 

Photo by Lonny Jacobson

7-28-2007 11:57 am

 

The summit of Princeton is briefly visible again

The rain let up for awhile, but a second storm soon swirled through, dropping more rain and lightning

 

7-28-2007 11:58 am

 

Rain falling in South Park

 

7-28-2007 12:03 pm

 

The first 14er Lemonade Stand we've seen

As we descended, we rejoined the 4WD road and saw a large church youth group who"d set up a lemonade stand! We had been talking that for our next attempt on Princeton, we"d simply drive to this point on the road until...

 

7-28-2007 12:11 pm

 

A large truck that went a little too far to the left of the road

...we saw this large truck that tried to let another vehicle pass.

 

7-28-2007 12:11 pm

 

The truck had pulled over to let someone pass, but the road was simply too narrow

 

Photo by Lisa Davis

7-28-2007 12:17 pm

 

[PAUSE THE SLIDESHOW BELOW TO WATCH THE ENTIRE VIDEO]

The truck is pulled back onto the road by a tow truck

This was fairly nerve wracking to watch - the video really doesn"t do it justice.

 

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7-28-2007 12:15 pm

 

After the truck was pulled free, these kids explored the tire ruts left behind

Watching the tow truck extract the vehicle was exciting. Even more amusing was watching the tow truck try a 4WD maneuver to allow a vehicle to pass that ended up breaking his own 4WD!

 

7-28-2007 12:24 pm

 

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