John Morrow
Member
- Joined
- May 22, 2015
- Messages
- 1,071
Stuck home, thought I'd toss up something from the past. Hiking forums in the time of Covid. Couple years back these photos were stuck in an inaccessible computer hard drive. Finally ordered an enclosure to put it into to pull out these pics. Artemus had asked me to post this then when I couldn't reach 'em.
These mountains were awesome and this trip complimented a great Bluegrass Festival perfectly.
On the 27th we descended the Colorado Trail from Molas Pass on US 550 down to the Animas River. Met the famous Durango and Silverton steam train by chance. Cool experience.
There must have been a trail bridge over the river but I don't remember. Couple more miles and a side trail (not official) went off to the right (south) crossing Elk Creek and rising into an amazing high basin, perhaps called "Vestal Basin" (no map name).
Dropping to Animas River by John Morrow, on Flickr
Passing train in the river corridor by John Morrow, on Flickr
First look at Grenadiers! by John Morrow, on Flickr
Entering the meadow country by John Morrow, on Flickr
Vestal and Arrow from camp by John Morrow, on Flickr
Sunset on the Trinities by John Morrow, on Flickr
June 28: If my friend Justin doesn't look right, it is because he is incredibly sick with a fever. Had to have been the first known case of Covid 19. Our plan was a couple of climbs on the two well known north faces: Wham Ridge of Vestal and north ridge of Arrow. However, Justin opted to remain in the tent to try to get well. Carried the climbing gear a long way for nothing! I opted to do the scramble routes on those mountains instead.
First up was the giant ramp of Arrow Peak 13,803'. Wonderful Class 3 scramble on solid quartzite.
Up the ramp of Arrow Peak by John Morrow, on Flickr
The famous ramp by John Morrow, on Flickr
Arrow scramble by John Morrow, on Flickr
Then down, up through Vestal/Arrow saddle, and around to the south slope of Vestal Peak 13,864':
Final Vestal scramble by John Morrow, on Flickr
Altitude tired! on Vestal by John Morrow, on Flickr
Trinities for tomorrow by John Morrow, on Flickr
Outside of times on Mt Rainier, this was the highest I'd ever been, so I was feeling it!
June 29th: I felt horrible for Justin, and if we weren't in a position to do the climb(s), then a great scramble traverse of the 3 Trinity Peaks would at least get him a chance to get up high in this beautiful place.
1st up was the West Ridge of West Trinity Peak 13,765 and down its East Ridge.
Vestal and Arrow morning by John Morrow, on Flickr
Scramble on West Trinity by John Morrow, on Flickr
Towards Middle Trinity by John Morrow, on Flickr
Vestal and Arrow behind by John Morrow, on Flickr
Then we traversed all the way around the south side of Middle Trinity 13,805' on ledges and up to the Middle/East Trinity saddle for the final scramble from the saddle.
Up to East Ridge of Middle Trinity by John Morrow, on Flickr
West Ridge of East trinity across by John Morrow, on Flickr
Returning to the saddle we then scrambled up the West Ridge of East Trinity 13,745'. Descending its east ridge/slope back into the head of Vestal Basin completed the traverse!
Onto East Trinity from Middle saddle by John Morrow, on Flickr
Almost done climbing by John Morrow, on Flickr
Lake by John Morrow, on Flickr
View toward Chicago Basin far by John Morrow, on Flickr
Across at East Ridge Mid Trinity by John Morrow, on Flickr
Only bad section on final descent by John Morrow, on Flickr
Tarn by John Morrow, on Flickr
June 30th:
It was time to hike back to Molas Pass. What an awesome trip in a great mountain range! Thirteen years older now, ten pounds heavier, and hair cut high and tight (not always, jsut when I finally get around to cutting it). Justin hasn't aged a day.
Last look back by John Morrow, on Flickr
Back to the river by John Morrow, on Flickr
Full set of pics (grand country views) here:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/23557848@N03/albums/72157713691270722
Anyone else have some archival trip reports to share for our virtual hiking pleasure?????
These mountains were awesome and this trip complimented a great Bluegrass Festival perfectly.
On the 27th we descended the Colorado Trail from Molas Pass on US 550 down to the Animas River. Met the famous Durango and Silverton steam train by chance. Cool experience.
There must have been a trail bridge over the river but I don't remember. Couple more miles and a side trail (not official) went off to the right (south) crossing Elk Creek and rising into an amazing high basin, perhaps called "Vestal Basin" (no map name).
Dropping to Animas River by John Morrow, on Flickr
Passing train in the river corridor by John Morrow, on Flickr
First look at Grenadiers! by John Morrow, on Flickr
Entering the meadow country by John Morrow, on Flickr
Vestal and Arrow from camp by John Morrow, on Flickr
Sunset on the Trinities by John Morrow, on Flickr
June 28: If my friend Justin doesn't look right, it is because he is incredibly sick with a fever. Had to have been the first known case of Covid 19. Our plan was a couple of climbs on the two well known north faces: Wham Ridge of Vestal and north ridge of Arrow. However, Justin opted to remain in the tent to try to get well. Carried the climbing gear a long way for nothing! I opted to do the scramble routes on those mountains instead.
First up was the giant ramp of Arrow Peak 13,803'. Wonderful Class 3 scramble on solid quartzite.
Up the ramp of Arrow Peak by John Morrow, on Flickr
The famous ramp by John Morrow, on Flickr
Arrow scramble by John Morrow, on Flickr
Then down, up through Vestal/Arrow saddle, and around to the south slope of Vestal Peak 13,864':
Final Vestal scramble by John Morrow, on Flickr
Altitude tired! on Vestal by John Morrow, on Flickr
Trinities for tomorrow by John Morrow, on Flickr
Outside of times on Mt Rainier, this was the highest I'd ever been, so I was feeling it!
June 29th: I felt horrible for Justin, and if we weren't in a position to do the climb(s), then a great scramble traverse of the 3 Trinity Peaks would at least get him a chance to get up high in this beautiful place.
1st up was the West Ridge of West Trinity Peak 13,765 and down its East Ridge.
Vestal and Arrow morning by John Morrow, on Flickr
Scramble on West Trinity by John Morrow, on Flickr
Towards Middle Trinity by John Morrow, on Flickr
Vestal and Arrow behind by John Morrow, on Flickr
Then we traversed all the way around the south side of Middle Trinity 13,805' on ledges and up to the Middle/East Trinity saddle for the final scramble from the saddle.
Up to East Ridge of Middle Trinity by John Morrow, on Flickr
West Ridge of East trinity across by John Morrow, on Flickr
Returning to the saddle we then scrambled up the West Ridge of East Trinity 13,745'. Descending its east ridge/slope back into the head of Vestal Basin completed the traverse!
Onto East Trinity from Middle saddle by John Morrow, on Flickr
Almost done climbing by John Morrow, on Flickr
Lake by John Morrow, on Flickr
View toward Chicago Basin far by John Morrow, on Flickr
Across at East Ridge Mid Trinity by John Morrow, on Flickr
Only bad section on final descent by John Morrow, on Flickr
Tarn by John Morrow, on Flickr
June 30th:
It was time to hike back to Molas Pass. What an awesome trip in a great mountain range! Thirteen years older now, ten pounds heavier, and hair cut high and tight (not always, jsut when I finally get around to cutting it). Justin hasn't aged a day.
Last look back by John Morrow, on Flickr
Back to the river by John Morrow, on Flickr
Full set of pics (grand country views) here:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/23557848@N03/albums/72157713691270722
Anyone else have some archival trip reports to share for our virtual hiking pleasure?????
