Humboldt Peak is considered to be a modest 14er, topping out at 14,064 ft. With a good class 2 trail and amazing views of the Sangre De Cristo Range, it's also quite a good dog-worthy hike. While not technically demanding, the challenge is upped a bit when confronted with sustained winds probably in the 40-60 mph range (and gusts much stronger than that), not to mention the occasional "fog-out" that reduces visibility to a few feet in front of you.

A dog's fur is a great way to measure wind speed!
Despite forecasts projecting doom, gloom and snow in the Colorado mountains, Sheila, Mystic and I decided to stage a coup and try to ascend a 14er despite the weather warnings. The day ended up being cloudy and overcast but cool enough so that thunderstorms were unlikely, so we went for it.

The M-Man ready to roll.
The trailhead for Humboldt is reached via a burly 4x4 road and I'm proud to say my new 4Runner passed with flying colors. The hike from the base of the peak to the summit ridge was uneventful but beautiful, with stunning views of the fabled Crestone group of peaks: Crestone Needle, Crestone Peak and Broken Hand Mountain.

Sheila and Mystic on the lower trail.
As we gained the ridge, great sheets of fog blasted up the mountainside and dissolved into the morning sky. Winds blew strong and hard, occasionally pushing hikers off balance (though amazingly, the 40 lb. Mystic seemed unaffected by the gusts). Of the 8 people (and one dog) on the ridge, 6 of the others turned around (not a bad move) leaving only Sheila, Mystic and I to go for the summit.

Mystic and I on the summit! Note his horizontal ears. Believe it or not, I'm trying to smile but the wind is blowing my lips asunder. A dab of peanut butter on my cheek looks like a cool, tough-guy scar.
Mystic and I got to summit just a few minutes before Sheila, though neither of us could stay on top very long (thank goodness for the wind shelter).

Sheila leaning into the wind as she closes in on the summit.

Warming up in the wind shelter on the top of Humboldt Peak!
The descent was equally burly, with the unrelenting wind constantly bullying us as we tried to make good time before the big storms hit the area (snow and rain started to fall about an hour after we completed the hike). All in all it was an invigorating adventure and the elements turned a rather tame 14er into an exciting theater of fast-moving wisps of fog, ethereal light and enormous mountains that would vanish into the beltway of clouds, only to emerge for scant seconds in gaps of clarity.

Battling the wind on the descent.
I've said it before and I'll say it again: all weather is good weather!

Posted by James Dziezynski @ 9:36 AM