Mt. Princeton (14,197 ft) - Third time's a charm

After being chased off the peak twice due to poor weather, Lisa and I had finally decided to tackle Princeton for a third time - this time to summit! Unlike our previous two attempts, we were determined to start early (6am - earlier than we'd started in the past) and get to the top. Of course - it's all a function of weather, and thankfully there was not a cloud in the sky most of the morning.

We ran into another pair of hikers as we first started off, but quickly out paced them on our ascent, leaving the mountain entirely to us. We spent 45 minutes relaxing on the summit and didn't see another soul until about 11am, as we passed a few people heading towards the summit.

Mostly, this hike was an excuse for Brian to play with his new camera but it was a pleasant day on the mountain.

Sunrise from the trailhead

 

8-29-2008 5:58 am

 

Lisa - ready to hike

 

8-29-2008 6:08 am

 

Sunrise over the Arkansas River Valley

 

8-29-2008 6:35 am

 

Sunrise over the Arkansas River Valley

 

8-29-2008 6:39 am

 

Sunrise over the Arkansas River Valley

 

8-29-2008 6:43 am

 

Lisa on the trail (with new acquaintances on the trail John and Sue)

 

8-29-2008 6:43 am

 

Princeton visible in the early morning light

 

8-29-2008 6:44 am

 

Brian, taking photos

 

Photo by Lisa Davis

8-29-2008 6:45 am

 

The Sangre de Cristo range across the valley

 

8-29-2008 6:49 am

 

Lisa

 

8-29-2008 7:08 am

 

A pika

 

8-29-2008 7:31 am

 

Lisa spots a short tailed weasel at 13,000ft

 

Photo by Lisa Davis

8-29-2008 7:50 am

 

The peak looms ahead

 

8-29-2008 7:58 am

 

The ridgeline down to "Tigger" peak (13,241 ft)

 

8-29-2008 8:34 am

 

Lisa reaches the summit

 

8-29-2008 9:18 am

 

Brian - finally after three attempts makes it on top

 

Photo by Lisa Davis

8-29-2008 9:19 am

 

Lisa with Antero, Shavano, and Tabeguache behind her

 

8-29-2008 9:21 am

 

Lisa and Brian

 

Photo by Lisa Davis

8-29-2008 9:23 am

 

Snacking on the summit

 

8-29-2008 9:24 am

 

The 4WD road we took a few weeks back to go up and over the shoulder of Antero

 

8-29-2008 9:25 am

 

Antero (left)

 

8-29-2008 9:25 am

 

Sangre de Cristo range in the hazy distance

 

8-29-2008 9:39 am

 

Playing with depth of field

 

8-29-2008 9:42 am

 

Lisa points to where we started (our car is visible in the photo)

 

8-29-2008 9:47 am

 

The trail meanders down the inside flank of the mountain

 

8-29-2008 9:54 am

 

Unnamed peak (13,878ft)

 

8-29-2008 10:14 am

 

Lisa descending

 

8-29-2008 10:14 am

 

The white rock contrasted against a deep blue sky

 

8-29-2008 10:21 am

 

Mt. Princeton summit, visible from 12,150ft

 

8-29-2008 12:05 pm

 

Clouds build in the next valley

 

8-29-2008 12:05 pm

 

Lisa high above the Arkansas River Valley

 

8-29-2008 12:07 pm

 

One last look at Princeton from the valley floor

 

8-29-2008 1:28 pm

 

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