Last Updated on June 23, 2022 by James Dziezynski
I’m hardwired for autumn. Even after a weary week of work, the invigorating promise of cool days and brilliantly colored landscapes draws me to the wilderness again and again. This weekend it was a sprint down to the Sangre de Cristos and the triple header of Mount Lindsey (14,042 ft.), Iron Nipple (13,500 ft.) and Huerfano Peak (13,828 ft.). Along for the fun were Kyle and Jenny, a great team for tackling a long day in the mountains.
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Jenny on the rocky boulders before the final summit ridge on Mount Lindsey with Iron Nipple in the background.
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Kyle with 14ers Blanca and Ellingwood Point in the background.
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Jenny and Kyle grab a bite on the summit of Mount Lindsey.
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The crew begins the descent down Mount Lindsey on a perfect autumn weather day.
The notion that Mount Lindsey is a class 2 hike is a bit misleading. Whereas 10 years ago (the last time I was there) embedded rocks in an otherwise loose gully provided solid steps, the bulk of the “class 2” route has been eroded away. The end result is that there are several class 3 moves — indeed preferable class 3 or 4 sections — that line the way up and require hands and feet scrambling. Or to use one of my standards — class 2 routes are dog friendly, class 3 routes are not — and this is NOT a dog friendly mountain. But still fun and the day was just starting. We needed to continue our route over to the scramble-riffic Iron Nipple (yes, its official name) and Huerfano Peak.
Kyles scales the mini-ridge to the summit of the eponymous Iron Nipple.
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Getting cheeky on the summit of Iron Nipple. Thankfully, we are three mature hikers and made no randy jokes about the name at any time during the day. Except every 5 minutes.
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Jenny and Kyle chillin' on the Iron Nipple.
From Iron Nipple, it was a relatively short push over to Huerfano Peak, at 13,828 ft. one of Colorado’s hundred highest mountains (officially summit UN 13,828).
Looking back at Mount Lindsey from Huerfano Peak.
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We took our longest break on the summit of Huerfano Peak, soaking in the gorgeous views of the Blanca Group, the Great Sand Dunes, the Crestone Group and the rolling flat farms that surround the Sangre de Cristo range.
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Mount Lindsey looms in the background as Jenny descends from Huerfano Peak.
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We arrived back in treeline just in time for animal happy hour.
With a robust 10 hour day behind us, the long ride back to Boulder was highlighted by an amazing sunset and good conversation. We even discovered “Do Drop Inn” pizza in Pueblo, a great place to re-carbo load after a long day in the mountains. Colorado in the autumn is a special place indeed.
