
It’s probably less than a dozen miles from our home but as we are already compelled to pull over and take in the view. To our delight the day is just brimming with promise.
The road beckons, taking us across the continental divide via Independence Pass.
Please Click on a Photo to Enlarge

The colorful kaleidoscope accompanies us all along our way, until we eventually leave the aspens behind as we top 11,000 feet or so.

The hut sits right on the treeline and as we head straight up the adjoining hill it feels as though we are heading to the very top of the world.

Once we reach the top we catch our breath, pose for a picture or two, then set about trying to take in the magnificent beauty of the scene that presents itself.

Just before dusk I head back up the hill by myself to enjoy a little splendid solitude and take in what proved to be one of the most spectacular and dramatic sunsets of my life.

Where the mountains mimicked snow, and snow returned the favor by reflecting the mood of the mountains.

As the sun dipped lower and lower the shadows grew more and more dramatic, the colors taking on an almost otherworldly hue.

Although I didn’t know it at the time this oddly spherical hill, with its mysterious pair of buildings, would be the object of the next day’s hike.

But to be honest I was simply mesmerized by the splendor of it all and didn’t know which way to turn for fear of missing a second of this utterly magnificent show of nature.

But there was one final surprise in store as the famous ‘Holy Cross’ that lends its name to this particular range of mountains within the Elk Range came vividly into view as the back-light receded.

And so it was with great reluctance that I traced my way back down to the hut, lingering all along the way to marvel at the sheer beauty of it all.

But I was up before the dawn and decided on the spot to climb the beautiful looking hill from which the sun would peek out a few moments after I snapped this photo.

Once we reached the top of ‘Sunrise Hill’ to our delight we found we had the perfect view of the previous evening’s twilight extravaganza.

Vowing to return sooner rather than later Kris and I headed back down the slope, retraced our path across the continental divide, and were back home well before dark. A more perfect couple of days it would be difficult to imagine!
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The 10th Mountain Fowler-Hilliard Hut Video
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