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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.

Mount Lindsey Colorado 14er

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Scrambling Mount Lindsey

Jenny on the rocky boulders before the final summit ridge on Mount Lindsey with Iron Nipple in the background.

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Kyle and Mount Blanca

Kyle with 14ers Blanca and Ellingwood Point in the background.

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Mount Lindsey summit

Jenny and Kyle grab a bite on the summit of Mount Lindsey.

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Mount Lindsey descent

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.

Iron Nipple Colorado

Kyles scales the mini-ridge to the summit of the eponymous Iron Nipple.

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Iron Nipple Colorado

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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Iron Nipple Colorado

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).

Huerfano Peak

Looking back at Mount Lindsey from Huerfano Peak.

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James Dziezynski mount huerfano summit

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 Colorado from Huerfano

Mount Lindsey looms in the background as Jenny descends from Huerfano Peak.

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Big horn sheep

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.

James Dziezynski

James is a best-selling author and writer based out of Boulder, Colorado. His writings reflect his personal passions: adventure, science, exploration, philosophy, animal welfare and technology. When not spending time in the mountains, James volunteers at several animal rescue organizations and is a collector of classic video games.