Wheeler Peak has been on my list of hikes to do for years. My friends and I started talking about how we would like to do it. This time we chose a date that was convenient for all of us, and marked it on the calendar. June 15 was the day. We discussed whether the 7 and 8 year olds would be able to do it. We decided that it would work out as long as they had each other for support ;)
So ~ we had water, snacks, clothes for all types of weather, and the determination to reach our goal. Were we ready for the 8.6 mile round trip (2,902 elevation gain) hike? This would be a hike to remember for sure!
Here are the intrepid (almost) third graders; all smiles at 10,161 ft!
Charlie, Matthew, and Ava.
Following behind, Gretchen, Nomi, Jessica, and myself......
The hike started out in the aspen stands with a gentle warmup........
It was warm enough that we would seek shade when we would stop to fuel up with snacks.....
A chipmunk was eating its snack alongside us too......
Every time I looked at Ava I was reminded how happy I was to share this adventure with her.......
We hiked through some beautiful meadows in which we decided to pause for a group photo with Wheeler in the background......
As the trail grew steeper, the views were a wonderful distraction. We caught a few breaths as we viewed beautiful Stella Lake below.......
The kids were doing great.....
Snow patches were becoming a regular obstacle, or more maybe a refreshing treat ;)
The tree line ended. This is really where we were getting tested on this trip. It was just us and the elements. We could see amazing views of the valleys below us and watched the shadows of fast moving clouds dance across the valley floor. It drove us forward as the wind pushed against our backs.
We could see the peak ahead; that sight drove us forward.....
The talus rocks (we call ankle-rollers) sounded like glass as we climbed higher and higher.....
We continued to climb the spine of the mountain....
Jessica, just had a baby two months ago! Yeah, she's super woman!
The peak seemed to just within our reach; although we still had a mile to go.....
We were eager to reach the first rock shelter to eat our lunch and take a much-needed break....
The temperatures were falling fast. We put on additional layers....
Our lunch break wasn't too long, as we were burning precious daylight. Plus the wind was not being kind. There is was, Wheeler Peak, taunting us.
We took advantage of almost every rock shelter. Gretchen said that the weather forecast had called for 50 mile an hour gusts of winds. It was feeling like those winds were set in motion......
Just like that, the winds grew angry and the cold really set in. We put on all the layers of clothing we had. The wind was enough to give us an excuse to head back down the mountain; but we pushed through.....
It was 95 degrees in the valley and 40 up here with the wind chill!
We took another break; each step was proving to be a great challenge. The air was thin.
We passed a few hikers. They were surprised to see the kids up on the trail I think. They expressed nice words to Charlie, Ava, and Matthew; encouraging them. This was difficult hike even for adults, so we had to keep them motivated with kind words, distractions, and the occasional sugar fix :)
You can see some of the hikers in the photo below (along with the windmills in Spring Valley):
The last part was definitely the craziest. The trail was lost due to snow so we had to go our own way, which means larger rocks to navigate. Frequent gusts of wind would jerk us sideways as we used our hands and feet to climb. Slow and steady. It was very unpleasant when little pieces of rock would hit our faces. Now I know what a bristlecone pine would feel like in this environment being shaped by the elements. As discouraging as it was, the wind wasn't as strong as our will to tackle the mountain this day.
I captured another picture as I caught my breath. Here you can see Stella Lake, Teresa Lake, and Brown Lake.....
Finally, we felt great relief when we reached the top! We were pleased that the wind was less intense as we inhaled the thin air and soaked in the views....
My zen pose; just plain happy to be here!
Nothing but mountain tops as far as the eye could see. Hard as hell hike; but totally worth it!
Matthew and Ava signed the guest book in the last rock shelter.....
We had to document our success of course :)
It was a great feeling to feel on top of Nevada.....
While the kids ate snacks and rested up ~ Jess, Gretchen, and I hiked through snow to look over the edge of the peak.....
Another view of the alpine lakes......
Jeff Davis Peak; along with the glacier below.....
Standing at 13,063 ft!
Ava, my mighty girl. I'm so proud of her!
We still had to maneuver back down the mountain. The wind, again, seemed even worse on the way back. Systems usually move in during the later part of the afternoon.
Ava and I locked hands on the way down to form a little support system as gusts tried to blow us over. It was a great relief to get back on a normal-feeling trail and gradually feel less and less wind :)
It was a wonderful feeling to return to 10,000 ft with the warm setting sun at our backs.....
It was even more of a wonderful feeling knowing that we did it.
We climbed Wheeler Peak!
Gretchen has a great post on her blog as well (
here).
