We set camp in Southwest Colorado, off of the trail to Cinnamon pass, near the American Basin. A few days in, and fully acclimated to camping at 10,000ft above sea level, my pastor and I decided to hike silver creek trail. Our ultimate goal was the summit of Red Cloud peak, some 14,034ft above sea level.
Beginning at 10:20am, we set off up the trail at a leisure pace. Upon reaching the saddle of Red Cloud, it began to hail, so we donned our rain gear and took in some beef jerky. As the hail subsided, the summit in view (or so I thought), we took off. You have to understand how fast weather comes in when you are up that high and the fact that if lightning was to strike, you would be toast. Oh and never mind about the 1,000ft drop off ten inches from your footpath.
Pushing harder and harder, close to exhaustion, I reached the summit! I turned around, and gazed at the wonderful view. I turned around again, and then realized that I still had a ton more to climb. Red Cloud had three false summits! Climb, summit, elation, depression, regain drive, repeat. Finally, I reached the true summit of Red Cloud peak. Quite honestly, it was one of the most emotional things I have ever been a part of. I'll not try to put words to it, see the pics for a small percentage of what the view is like.
After returning to Kansas, I shaved my beard, and mourned the mountains. My eyes well up when listening to Rocky Mountain High, because I know exactly how John Denver felt when writing that song. I have seen it rain fire in the sky and I am a richer man, for I have seen an eagle fly.
I now long for the day when I can show Hayden the Rocky Mountains.
* For more information about the 54 14,000ft mountains in Colorado, visit: www.14ers.com
