In August 2020, we found ourselves in Colorado for a week-long vacation with friends. As with other trips to Colorado, I entertained thoughts about seizing the opportunity to climb a 14er, although I had no idea whether it would be possible.
My husband and I have the responsibility to care for our foster son, at the time, an 18-month-old toddler. Taking him on a hike that big seemed out of the question. But Peter encouraged me to take a day to solo hike, and he would cover the parenting duties. Now, that seemed like a doable plan.
I seriously questioned whether I had the energy. In the past 12 months, my body had been through a lot –last fall, I had miscarried, in the beginning of 2020, I had mono, and then well, we all know that the world was turned upside down in March.
I do not have to explain the extra doses of patience and energy required to any working mama of a toddler/infant when daycare closes and you are fortunate enough to still have a job. The added stresses of full-time parenting, part-time working (in my case), having a spouse working from home, and shouldering the normal responsibilities (whatever they might be for you) is not an easy adjustment to make. It was the most stressful and tiresome spring and summer of my life.
So when Peter told me about a trail within an hour drive of our accommodations in Breckenridge where I could summit four 14ers with one trail it certainly sounded efficient! A 7.5-mile trail where Mt. Democrat, Mt. Cameron, Mt. Lincoln, and Mt. Bross could all be summited. My research indicated that the descent of Mt. Bross was a little tricky – steep with scree (accumulation of loose rocks). I figured I would give the hike a try and just see what happened knowing I could back track at any point.
As I laid in bed the night before my hike, I took stock of my body. I felt depleted – physically, emotionally, and spiritually. The activities I had in my life that were energy giving in the beginning of 2020 were not available the past six months, and the additional demands and responsibilities since March were exceedingly draining. As much as I wished to summit all four 14ers, I told myself I would be happy to reach the summit of one of them.
Come morning, I reached the trailhead to start this adventure about 6:40 a.m. I realized I would not be the only one on the trail, nor would I be the last person on the trail. This was a comfort if I did indeed attempt the entire loop.
After passing Kite Lake, the hike up to Mt. Democrat was steep and tough. At one point, I questioned whether I had it in me to summit one of these 14ers, but I slowed my pace, looked down, and just kept putting one foot in front of the other. The pikas chirped continuously, and I viewed them as my cheerleaders!
At 9:15 a.m., I summitted Mt. Democrat – 14,154 ft. It felt like such an accomplishment and I shed emotional tears for what my tired body had just done. The views were impressive, but this peak yielded more of an internal moment than an external one. The summit quickly got crowded, and I started my descent back to the Democrat-Cameron saddle, which went fast and was fun, and I felt energized and eager to keep going. The ascent to Mt. Cameron was steep, but I had found my snail-like pace, and I still had the pikas chirping/cheering me on.
The summit of Mt. Cameron was completely different – it was large and flat, and made me think you could have a huge party on it with no worries about falling off the top. It was about 11:10 a.m. when I reached the top – 14, 223 ft. At this point, I was feeling like I should keep moving as not to be on the mountains too late in the day. I usually like to be heading back down the mountain by noon, but I was not going to make that if I completed the loop. I did not linger long, but started on the portion of the hike where you stroll at 13,500-14,000 ft.
This was a part of the hike I was looking forward to and curious about. What does it feel like to hike on a relatively flat trail at such a high elevation? Well, it is enjoyable, not taxing to the lungs, and kind of exhilarating to think about the elevation you are hiking at.
Next, I popped up to Mt. Lincoln – summitted at 11:40 a.m. – 14,272 ft. The short ascent to the top was steep with views straight down on either side of me. I felt exposed. This was NOT my favorite peak. It did not help that I was following a gal that was afraid of heights. I am sure she had me feeling more fear than normal just watching her navigate to the summit with such trepidation and caution. I peered out toward Mt. Bross. It looked so far away, so I keep trucking – one more to go!
At this point I just kept moving as I wanted to make the fourth summit ASAP. I would feel much better once I was on my way down off the mountain. About ¼ mile shy of Mt. Bross, I had to stop to refuel and took the opportunity to look back at how far I had come. I was getting tired and needed some calories. The pause and fuel helped immensely, and the final push to Mt. Bross was done with ease – summitted at 12:45 p.m. – 14,184 ft. This summit was again large and roomy at the top. Bring your friends and have a party!
I was glad to have company on the top of this peak – more to know I would be descending with others in case things got tricky. The hike down was slow going. At one point, every step came with dislodging rocks and basically sliding a couple feet with every footfall. I collected lots of rocks and dust in my shoes. At 2:40 p.m., I found myself back at the parking lot. It is amazing the joy I felt seeing hikers I had conversed with earlier in the day who were safely done with their hike. You don’t catch names, but because of the shared experience, they are in your heart for the day.
On the drive back to Breckenridge, I reflected on the day. It was amazing that a physically demanding feat could energize me. The tackling of a goal, the summitting of FOUR 14ers in one day, the repeated sense of being on top of the world with each summit, the solitude of solo hiking, the immersion in God’s beauty, the responsibility of only myself – it was all so energizing. I learned how in this season of day-to-day challenges where so many things that I gain energy from are not available to me, I can take a day to myself, go enjoy God’s creation, and it will yield a fuller, better self come days end.