Mt Lindsey (14,042) by Brian Schultz Monday July 27, 1998
I sighed at the clear skies over the Crestones as I was about to leave Westcliffe for Mt Lindsey, wishing I had them yesterday on Crestone Peak and hoping they'd hold up for today. The guy yesterday asking about South Colony Lakes road was leaving also (for Humboldt) and I waved goodbye. It took two hours to get to the Huerfano River trailhead from Westcliffe- the road past the ranch is poor and I was glad to have four wheel drive. I was amazed to see a Subaru Outback parked at the trailhead- how it got up the last section I don't know. Ours were the only vehicles parked and I took off at 8:00, a little leery about routefinding on my own; my main worry was getting from the river to the basin without losing the route, especially in the woods. My fourteener friend Tim Briese (from Belford & Crestone) said the trail was good and to stay left once in the basin.
From the parking area the Lily Lake trail descends slightly and a terrific view of Blanca Peak opens up. The first thing to watch for is the turnoff to the river. When I reached the river I spent a long time looking for an easier way to cross it. It was deep and fast flowing and there weren't any nice big rocks to step across, just a narrow log to walk the tightrope or straddle. I took the weanie way and straddled. Hey, I didn't want to fall in! Once across I followed a cairned path through the woods but you have to pay attention- it would be easy to lose the trail in there. Near timberline I met up with the Subaru owner, a woman hiking alone who was turning back because of the cloud buildup. She was worried about getting down the road if it got wet, which was understandable with her Outback, but the weather didn't look threatening to me at all.
When I got into the open area I stayed to the left as Tim suggested, to gain the west ridge. As I made my way up I could hear some voices behind and below- two hikers were coming up my same route at a good clip. I hadn't figured on anyone starting later than me and by the time I reached the saddle and rested a bit they caught up. Paul and Scott stopped to talk and invited me to join them, which I did. Paul was going for #50 while Scott was shooting for #6.
The clouds were clearing nicely as we hiked the ridge and made our way up the first gully. It was easy to find but climbing up was steep and somewhat exposed. When you get to the top it seems like you should traverse down a bit but don't! Keep angling up to get into the next gully, which is also quite steep- it's the one that brings you to the ridge. We turned left on the ridge and easy walking brought us to the summit at 12:05, 4 hours from the trailhead. Scott admitted he was spooked in the gullies by the exposure but Paul and I weren't bothered at all by it.
We spent nearly 40 minutes on the summit enjoying the fine weather and each other's company. Paul was an engaging fellow and very funny, Scott was more serious and reflective but both had strong convictions. In no hurry to go back down, we relaxed, ate lunch and took some photos.
When we finally descended we took it slow and careful in the gullies and below the saddle of the ridge we were so engrossed in conversation that we veered off the trail numerous times. We were never too far from the trail though, and in the basin when we strayed again, Paul told us to stay put while he bounded up the other side. Then when he found the trail he hollered for us to come closer for a picture. After snapping a photo he ran back down to us. Boy, did he have energy! He kept running back and forth, wanting to photo-document various scenes because he'd been turned back on Lindsey before. His wife accompanied him on that attempt and he wanted her to see what they'd missed.
Once in the woods we hiked at a faster pace and cut to the river too early, had to backtrack, and finally came to the original crossing. In the morning those guys used a long branch as a pole to aid their tightrope across the log and then threw it back for the next party. Pretty nice of them but no one else ever followed and now it was on the other side. I was ready to straddle and scoot but Paul wouldn't have any of that. He spent some time looking for another long stick but couldn't find anything. Meanwhile, Scott wandered down the river a bit and suddenly he's on the other side. He strode right through the current, boots and all, found the makeshift pole and threw it back to us. What a guy!
Paul gave me his camera and went first so I could take a snapshot of him half way across. When he got over he threw the stick back. Great- now I was certain to make a fool of myself falling in the river. It was bad enough trying to balance on the log but he insisted on me stopping so Scott could take a picture. I honestly don't know how I did it but I made it across. I mentioned how worried I was about falling and getting my camera wet but Paul said he knew I'd get across because he said a prayer. When I reminded him his camera was in my pack also, he laughed and said if he had remembered that he would have prayed harder.
We got back to our trucks at 3:45. After they left I took off my boots and sat down for a while, feeling the wear of six fourteeners in a row, and decided I needed another day off. I felt bad for the lady who turned back- the clouds never did bring rain. As tired as I was, I really enjoyed today's adventure. We three were the only ones on the mountain and the outing went better than I expected- totally fun!
Total hiking time- 7 hours 45 minutes (including 40 minutes on the summit)