| Hiking Mt. Ida |
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| Updated June 19, 2002 |
| On Saturday, June 15, 2002, my friend Brian and I set off from Denver to Rocky Mountain National Park. Our starting position was Milner Pass, where east meets west on the Continental Divide and where we hoped to hike the 12,800 foot peak of Mt. Ida. This hike promised solitude, a view to die for from the top and was a much anticipated first mountain hike in Colorado for me. We packed a good lunch, enough water to last beyond the day hike and set out from Denver on Highway 6. This scenic highway met up with I-70, later turning off to Highway 40 leading over Berthoud Pass and up to Mary Jane and Winter Park Ski Resorts. This pass can be very brutal in the winter months due to the winding roads, switchbacks and unexpected snowstorms and flurries that come from nowhere. Today however, was perfectly clear weather in which to enjoy blue skies and views of the mountain peaks rising alongside us as we traveled higher up and deeper into the pass. |
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| We passed through Granby and its lake region and met with the first of many photo opportunities. The weather was bright and sunny, with very little breeze. Lake Granby itself was alive with boaters enjoying the weather and the backdrop of the mountains was picture perfect. We didn't stay for long, just enough to feel the anticipation of what was to come. In the initial planning stages of the trip we had the choice to enter Rocky Mountain National Park from two different directions. We opted for the Granby side as it was less traveled than the Estes Park side. We weren't disappointed with the lack of traffic and unhurried feel of the other weekend travelers. I presented my park pass and we were in, the start of the upward drive on our way to Trail Ridge Road. |
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| Within a very short time of walking I wasn't sure what felt worse... the step mill at the gym or walking a path close to 11,000 feet above sea level and being unable to catch my breath. I was totally unprepared for this feeling of breathlessness and feeling like I had run 10 miles uphill... I assure you the feeling was awful. |
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| We Don't Need No Stinkin' Trails... After losing the first sign of a trail, we found ourselves surrounded by high trees, trickling streams and no where to go but up, so we continued looking for the remnants of a trail. Walking along this relatively flat bit for the moment meant merciful rest until the next difficult scramble up the hill. Nature didn't disappoint us and we opted to take the next higher ridge but in order to get to it, it sloped upwards at a 30 to 40 degree angle... not easy by any terms but still doable... so we did it. Looking down at the hill we initially came up and conquered was definitely no small feat but we still had so much more to go. I paused only to grab some more picturess before we walked a bit more... the next scramble up proved to be more on the slippery side. Along with the snow that had accumulated, there was loose rock and gravel lying over a soft base of dirt and grass. To maintain the level of difficulty, the grade continued at about the same slope as before. Digging in, up we went, looking again for another flat ridge to walk and the chance to survey the view from above. |
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| After entering the park we took a little time out to enjoy the mountain view and the lakes far below. I had a topographic map in hand and this was another good learning experience for me. I've seen these maps before but never had the opportunity to study and learn them in reference to where I was. Following the road up to our final destination was a good way to learn to read the map and check out landmarks by comparing topographic markings to our local surroundings. Little did I realize that later this map would prove to be invaluable throughout our entire hike up and back. |
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| The view to the right shows the first scramble up... I had to take a short break on the way up the loose rock... it was slippery and not so stable to walk on but I finally made it up. Brian was nimble as a goat and was always ahead of me as I slowly and methodically walked the hill, using hands to stabilize and ensuring that my feet were properly dug into the soil and rocks. I vaguely remember seeing stuntmen in some movie doing a long dive down a rocky hill and remembered thinking I didn't want to aspire to do any of that out here. The fall could be quite dangerous and not so entertaining. |
| As we climbed higher and higher, the views only got better... the road seen here to the right is where the car was parked! Awesome scenery at 2/3 of the way to one of the plateaus, but not quite to the top of where we were headed... it was still stunning. |
| We started our trek at the Continental Divide, Milner Pass at 10,759 feet above sea level... I was wearing a new hat to protect my head against the sun and my pack was its lightest ever. I looked forward to this new endeavor as we set off up a gentle rise of steps heading into the wooded area and into the beginnings of what would be a long and exhausting, but exhilarating day. Towering over us within minutes of starting the walk was this mammoth and colorful creation of nature called Sheep Rock. It stood right against the path and was just beautiful... notice the tree growing on the side of it. |
| I didn't come out here totally unprepared but I think the nature of being so high in elevation is just something you don't anticipate until you experience it firsthand. I walked on, stopping frequently and remembering just to breathe. Brian told me that I would eventually become acclimated as the time went on and I had to believe that I would, so I plodded onward and upward, one breathless step at a time. In between stops, I took advantage of the flora and fauna of the region and snapped numerous pictures. No time was wasted in the effort and each rest gave me an opportunity to discover the beauty of the tiny flowers seen dotting the landscape. I'm not sure if the trails were actually marked and we just missed them but before we knew it, there was no visible trail to be seen. This unexpected turn of events would haunt us most of the day as we would find and subsequently lose trails at the drop of a hat. |
| In The Beginning... |