The best of the best

In 2022, I went on 79 hikes, forty-four of which were on trails new to me. For the past three years, I’ve been documenting my annual hiking activity. It’s not a race. It’s not a goal. It’s not a competition with myself or anyone. It’s simply what I love to do. And it’s part of a life that I never imagined I would have. Loss closes doors hard. Greif can open new doors, if you can find them and if you will allow it.

This year, I hiked in California, Ireland, and of course, Colorado. I summitted two 14ers and three 13ers. I hiked in the hottest place on Earth. I hiked the greatest distance in a day and a week than I ever have. I experienced the most elevation gain in a hike, more than doubling anything prior. I saw moose, mountain goats, longhorn sheep, marmots, coyote, bald eagles, pronghorn antelope, cows, and cheviot sheep. And I stepped on a rattle snake. I’d like to avoid that encounter in 2023.

I’ve been selecting my top ten hikes each year, and I’ve decided to put them in my year-end blog this time around. I’m including an abundance of photos, and this seems like a good time to say that stopping to take a picture is clearly something I do a lot. These images are important to me. I look at them and relive the beauty and the magic of all these incredible places. But it is my biggest priority to say present where I am. Nature has a unique way of doing that for us. I never go anywhere just for the photo. I go to feel alive and to be at peace. I’m certain that I did find that in all 79 locations, but here are the best of the best.

10. Balanced Rock to Cabin Canyon Trail, Colorado Springs, CO. This was my favorite hike with Hank this year. It was my birthday, and we got up very early to make the 90 minute drive to catch the sunrise while on the trail. The hike was mostly boulder hopping which I personally love, and I couldn’t wipe the smile off my face as I watched Hank contemplate his next move right alongside of me. We took plenty of time to pause, sit, and play with the camera. Spending this time, early morning, in nature, nobody around but US was a meditative and soul filling way for me to mark a new year of life. It is also in the shadow of Pike’s Peak and may have been foreshadowing for what was to come later in the year.

9. Dream Lake (Nighttime Snowshoe), Rocky Mountain National Park, CO. I choose to join a group for adventures that I would never do solo, and this was certainly one of them. It was cold, dark and the snow was deep. I have hiked this trail previously in daylight, and never under conditions close to this.  It was a little scary and certainly exhilarating. I think my mouth was frozen open in awe. I appreciate living in a place where REI does so many local adventures. Our guide was amazing. I would have been completely lost without her!

8. Mt. Bierstadt, Georgetown, CO. Third year in a row on this list, and each for a different reason. It really is a beautiful trail and it’s a 14er. It’s also the place that I will take any visitor who is interested in the 14er challenge. This summer it was my nephew’s goal and an incredible thing to experience with him. We had some great laughs, like an incident during creek crossing, a stellar forecast, and the mountain goats were plenty. Congratulations Wade!

7. Second Creek to Twin Cones, Empire, CO. The variety on this mountain was a complete surprise to me, and it was one of the all-around most beautiful trails of the year. The wild flowers and the skies were perfection that day. There were giant swarming mosquitos by the creek at the beginning, but I walked fast. As the creek distanced itself from the trees, the pure splendor of the stream was revealed. I was reminded that it was melting snow, and I forgot all about the mosquitoes. Once passing tree line, I enjoyed views of several 13ers and 14ers that I have summited, and I had the peak of the twin cones all to myself for just enough time for a peaceful snack among the abundant Columbines. While descending, I had a hilarious conversation with a small group of women who I had offered advice to on the trail. They called out one at a time everything that I was wearing and carrying, “oh, I like your (fill-in-the-blank), what brand is it?”. I was a walking advertisement for REI.

6. The Grotto, Death Valley, CA. I had seven incredible hikes in Death Valley with an REI Adventures group. It’s tough to pick one favorite as they were each unique terrain. The Grotto hike was all about slot canyons and honestly the shade was so welcomed, even by me. Our guides taught us a variety of climbing techniques to pass through sections most of us never thought we would. And they made us an awesome lunch in the shade of the canyon. This was a fun day, and I loved learning something new. I will use that stovepipe technique again!

5. Lake Hiyaha, Rocky Mountain National Park, CO. I had read that this alpine lake was showing an unusual color due to a glacial rock slide, and I quickly secured a mid-week ticket to hike it. The lake itself is one of the most beautiful natural sites I have ever seen. I explored the enormous boulders surrounding the lake which was a great excuse to leave other hikers behind. I eventually found a perfect boulder for sitting where I felt completely alone for hours. I got so many photos of the awe inspiring place that don’t even do it justice, but they are some of my favorite pics of the year for sure.

4. Mt Sniktau and Mt. Cupid, Loveland Pass, CO. I had summited both of these peaks previously, one at a time, but was eager to up the challenge and do both of them again on one hike. I had the perfect partner visiting in July, Isabella. This was a first. Two 13er summits in one hike. I kind of got a kick out of not revealing that Sniktau had two false summits. But after we finished Sniktau, at least I was able to reassure Isabella that taking on Cupid second was going to feel so much easier. We had a perfect weather day on what is often a very windy trail, and we had good laughs trying to make two 13’s with our fingers for the camera.  It was almost harder than the hike!

3. Knokree to Laragh, Ireland – I hiked The Wicklow Way in Ireland with my best friend from college. What a journey. We completed 94 miles altogether in 6 days. To pick one day from our journey has to be our second day from Knokree to Laragh. We hiked 20 miles in a Irish heatwave. We ran out of water and were able to fill up during our last five miles at a friendly spigot. This was also overall the most beautiful part of the Wicklow Way, the stunning heather, the highest elevation of the week, views of the East and the West coast at the same time, and meeting Roy and Steve for the first time, two locals that we would cross paths with every subsequent day. This hike pushed me to a new and different limit. I was extremely happy when we took the final steps through the front door of our Inn for the night, and as luck would have it, one of the best restaurants in this part of the country. The Guinness braised short ribs were well deserved!

2. Blue Lake, Nederland, CO – The top part of Blue Lake with the shelf rock and tiny waterfalls was really magical. I took the added challenge to continue on and climb the boulders (which by now you know I love to do) up to Little Blue Lake. Two hands, two feet, and sometimes a seat. While I love scrambling, I reached a point where it felt unsafe for a solo hiker. Gaining elevation on huge boulders, so many crevices, and no one else in site. The voice in my head said, never stay at the party too long. I stopped about a quarter mile from Little Blue with no regret. The combination of the beauty and the solitude in this spot was unparalleled this year. Thanks to this experience, I now have a Garmin Mini Satellite that tracks me and will allow me to call for rescue if needed. This gave me peace of mind on a hike that I did eight days later, which is my number 1 for the year.  

1. Pike’s Peak, Colorado Springs, CO – I wasn’t sure I would ever tackle this 14er, with a distance from trailhead to summit of 13 miles and 7,500 feet of elevation gain. But everything aligned including a rare, perfect forecast, and I had a few hours to make a decision and ready myself for the next day. I was prepared but didn’t have a chance to overthink it, which, retrospectively, was a good thing. It was a long and grueling 7 hour hike. I stayed focused on the mental game knowing that physically I could do it, if only I didn’t talk myself out of it at some point along the way. Miles 6 and 7 were the most mentally draining. I allowed myself just one break after I hit the half-way mark. I only saw a handful of people that day until the parking lot at the summit which was filled with those who drove. Pike’s is one of only two 14ers that you can drive up in Colorado. I was happy to hitch a ride back down as I had planned. Hiking up was all I needed. This was a rewarding feat and I know that my long distance hiking in Ireland helped me be mentally and physically prepared for this. This marathon in the sky truly was an exhilarating accomplishment for me. If you ever drive up Pike’s, think of me when you get there.

I will continue blogging in the new year, after a short break, with more ruminations about this great soul ride. I appreciate all of you who read, comment, discuss and share this project of grief and love and living. Happy New Year.