Paid $50 for the National Park pass at the gate. A decent hike seemed to go from Bear Lake to Flattop Mountain. Looked like maybe a 5 hour hike. I had to park in a lot and take a shuttle about 3 miles to Bear Lake. The last shuttle leaving for the day from Bear Lake would be at 6, and it was 12:30 when we arrived at the lake. That left it as a kind of gamble as to how far I should hike.
I asked several rangers if I could make it to Flattop peak and back before 5. They all said emphatically "No!". I was determined to try, however. I was a little nervous about the cold weather warnings posted at the trailhead (including possible snowfall). But I had my polypro pants/shirt and fleece, so hopefully I'd be okay. I was also concerned about the thin air affecting my stamina.
I started the hike, hoping to get as far as possible. It was 4.4 miles to the peak. The path went through pretty evergreen forests. I started with a pretty strenuous pace, and asked nearly all people coming the other way the time. I didn't have a watch, obviously.
Eventually the treeline faded from heavy trees to smaller shrubs. I was about halfway up and making good time. However, the path got steeper and the air got thinner. I found myself stopping all the time to catch my breath, sometimes every 100 feet. It got very windy and chilly, and I was also sweating bullets. As long as I kept moving I wasn't too cold.
Here's a shot of the bleakness of the mountains above the treeline. You
can also see snow. In July.
The sky kept teasing me as it seemed like it would almost rain, but it
never really did.
I passed two snowy patches, and finally made it to the top. There was
a nice view all around, of other huge mountains.
It was 2:45 when I
reached the peak. Here's the little path going over the peak and down
the other side of the mountain. Now if only I can figure out why they
call this Flattop...
I then went down the mountain, which was FAR FAR easer. Stopped at some
scenic overlooks, such as this great one here.
I got back down at 5 PM, and did the whole hike in 4.5 hours. The rangers said it would take 6. I had a whole hour to spare, though, and I was totally exhausted.
I then drove through the park to the other side, passing amazing
vistas and mountains.
Saw many deer grazing on the sloping hillside.
At about 8 PM or so I left the park, looking for a campgrounds to collapse at.
I started to feel really REALLY sick, now, like I was totally fatigued and nautious, and like someone was driving a gigantic knife down my head. I took 34W to 40E, trying to get back to I-25. The roads seemed to never end, and I felt like utter crap. I then realized it was probably some altitude sickness kicking in.
I finally made it to I-70, took it through Denver, which was laid out below, just like Uncle Lary told me about a few months ago. Went down I-25, to an altitude of about 1 mile, found a rest area, and slept. hard.
| Location | near Castle Rock, CO |
| Odometer | 134,824.0 Miles Total 6,070.3 Miles On Trip 252.7 Miles Today |
| Coordinates | 39° 13.727' N
104° 52.744' W 6600' Altitude |