Wednesday, August 30, 2017
Day 1
We left our house at 9 a.m., and got to the trailhead at 12:30 p.m. From Henry's Fork Trailhead, we hiked to Dollar Lake. It's about an 8 mile hike. It took us just over 4 hours to hike in.
6 miles in is the footbridge crossing.
This is our first view of Kings Peak. It's the peak in the middle of the picture.
The whole way in we got rained on and had thunder all around us. We really needed it to clear up because we can't summit either peak if there is lightening or thunder in the area. It would be too dangerous. We quickly set up camp and set up a cairn and an arrow to show our friends the Carlson's where we had camped (we thought they might arrive before we got back from summiting Gilbert Peak on Thursday) and then spend the rest of the evening in our tent because of the rain and thunder.
Thursday, August 31, 2017
Day 2
We started hiking to Gilbert Peak around 7 a.m.
This is looking down on Dollar lake after we had hiked to the ridge.
The weather was questionable, and we knew if there was any thunder or lightening, we would have to turn back immediately. There was no place for shelter from the lightening on the way to Gilbert peak.
Gilbert peak is behind the knoll in the center of this picture.
The hike up was windy and really cold. Still no thunder, so we continued on.
By the time we reached the summit, the weather had turned bad. Watching the looming storms, we quickly snapped some pictures and got off the mountain! We wish we could have stayed on the top longer, the views were amazing. We were getting quite nervous looking at the approaching black clouds!
After we got off the top of the mountain, we decided it was safe to take a quick selfie.
I thought the hike up was miserable...nope, the hike down was even worse! Hail and wind right in our faces. Trying to keep our footing on the wet rocks was very difficult!
This is looking over at where Kings Peak is. If the weather permits, we will be hiking Kings tomorrow.
The sun!!
It finally came out!!!!
We were still freezing cold, but the sun on our skin felt so good!
6 miles round trip. This peak is only 80 feet lower than Kings, and it's a 6 mile hike compared to 14 miles to summit Kings. That gives you an idea as to how steep the hike to Gilbert is!
Dean at Dollar Lake
Once again we can see Kings Peak in the background.
We expect to see our friends Jason and Melissa Carlson any minute now. Dean decided to spruce up our cairn, and get a fire going, so they would feel right at home.
Clear skies! I think we are going to have great weather for hiking Kings in the morning.
Dean is filling up our water bottles so we can start hiking bright and early in the morning.
Friday, September 1, 2017
Day 3
7 a.m. start. First break was at Gunsight Pass. We decided to take the trail down into Painter Basin. Great choice! It was a fairly easy beautiful hike.
Melissa took a lot of great pictures, and Jason brought a map....go figure, a map! It was great figuring out where we were, and which peaks were which.
We came upon these rock lounge chairs. They actually were quite comfortable! A great place for another rest and lunch break.
We called this place the living room.
So many boulders!
And we made it!
Dean, Ej, Jason, and Melissa
Dean and Ej are showing Gilbert Peak.
(yesterday's hike)
In case you were wondering, there is cell service on the top of Kings Peak!
After relaxing at the top of Kings Peak, it was time to hike down.
Easier said than done!
We found water! Filtering water and filling up our bottles for the hike back down to camp.
Back down to the "living room". I took off my visor and realized that my face was fried! I had no idea I got that sunburned. I used my visor to try to shield my cheeks and nose from the sun.
Home again! Time for dinner, and....
Creme Brulee!
The whole time we were hiking, we kept our mind on the goal...freeze dried Creme Brulee in a bag! Totally worth hiking Kings so we could eat this stuff!
We had the best campfire ever!
Saturday, September 2, 2017
Day 4
Time to pack up and start hiking out.
When I woke up Saturday morning, my face was so puffy from being sunburned! I could see my own cheeks they were so swollen.
All packed up and heading out.
This is the last we would see of Kings Peak.
Just over 4 hours later, we reached the trailhead.
Great trip, and checked another county high point off our list!
