On the east flank of Mt Elbert
Our saddle camp above Rock Creek was almost too warm, and the temperature dropped nearly 20F as we descended to Kearny Park. A few ups and downs brought us to Halfmoon Creek and the trailheads for Elbert and Massive. It being Saturday the parking lots were overflowing with aspiring mountaineers.
Took a break by the creek and chatted with a young woman who was herding several youngsters along. They are hiking about a 70 mile section of the CT and summited Massive yesterday but decided doing Elbert today would be pushing it. Especially as they are from New England and were still getting acclimated to the altitude. Pretty impressive for a group of 8-12 year old kids, all of whom seemed in high spirits.
We considered dropping our packs on the CT and summiting Elbert today, but by the time we got to the trail junction we had hiked some 13 miles and this no longer seemed a great idea. Instead we did as I did on my 2015 thru and hiked up about a thousand feet to a bench where camping is feasible.
A nice view of the Ark Valley but surprisingly poor cell service. I tried all day to send Cathy a text from the various ridges but without success.
Hermit thrushes have been singing through the evening and we finally identified the source of the low thrumming sound we’d been hearing- a male dusky grouse in the throes of loneliness or passion. Informally known as fool grouse he let me get close enough for what I hope are some good pictures of his throat pouch ballooned out, and the red and white medallion he was flashing on his shoulders.
Although the weather is not the least threatening, we will try to get a pre-dawn start tomorrow so that we can summit and still make Twin Lakes by lunchtime.
