Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Kendall Mountain...

Yesterday, Trevor and I decided to climb Kendall Mountain. It is the mountain that overlooks Silverton from the east, and offers spectacular views of the town below, Molas Pass and the surrounding mountain peaks.

Kendall is a 13er, but is relatively easy if you have access to a 4-wheel drive vehicle. I'm betting even 2-wheel drive vehicles (with decent clearance) can make it most of the way up the fairly well maintained mountain road. We drove as far as Trevor felt comfortable, parked and hiked the rest of the way to the summit on foot. All in all, I bet we only hiked about three miles roundtrip, but the hike can be as long as 12 miles. It just depends on how far you want (or are willing) to drive.

Now for the pictures:

Hiking up...


Just below the summit...


Hello, Silverton!


The Geological Survey marker at the summit of Kendall Mountain...


Trevor on the summit at 13,066 feet above sea level...


Looking towards Handies Peak...




Overlooking Silverton...


Woo contemplating the cars chugging their way up Molas Pass...




Looking up 550 towards Ouray and the Ice Lakes hike...


The sun finally came out...


Marmot hunting...


Note the train at the bottom as it approaches the Silverton station...


The hike down...


An Old Mine...


There was still snow behind the gate...




After 13er rum shots at Montanya. Kimbell in the background...


Trevor's friend, Scott, who rode his bike from Durango to Silverton that morning...

1 comment:

Denise said...

Wow, it's so beautiful there!