Summit Mount Sopris

Getting there: On Highway 82 headed south towards Aspen, turn right into the town of Carbondale on Highway 133 (about 15 minutes outside of Glenwood Springs). Stay on Highway 133, headed south, and continue through the town of Carbondale. About 1.5 miles out of town, turn left onto Prince Creek Rd (over a bridge and just short of a small building). NOTE: although I have seen subarus make it to the lot, four wheel drive is a huge help for the road and high-clearance vehicles are a plus. Continue on this road for about 7 miles; it will turn to dirt / gravel and sometimes feel more like jeep terrain. As you continue, keep right at a confusing intersection. The "Dinkle Lake" parking lot is on the left with the trailhead just off of the lot.

At about 8,700 ft, the trailhead begins; make sure to write down your name for "overnight" by the information boards. For the first 1.5 miles, you'll traverse through forested switchbacks at a mild grade; views are limited, but the forest of aspen and pine is sometimes straight out of a fairytale. After the first 1.5 miles, you'll reach a fork in the trail, keep right onward to Thomas Lakes. What proceeds is one of my favorite parts of the trip: 2 miles of aspen groves, meadows, babbling streams, and sub-alpine scenery as you approach Thomas Lakes. You'll pass a smaller, blue-green pond before you approach the lake, and the trail flattens. Lower Thomas Lake is clearly visible. This is where the designated camp spots are located. Be equipped to hoist up any food you bring / secure it in a canister, especially if you are camping during bears-eat-everything season. Thomas Lake is a beautiful spot to catch a sunset and maybe some alpen-glow on peaks in the distance. Also, the area around lower Thomas Lake features a small, turquoise blue pond, pine trees that curve at 90 degree angles, and rocky outcroppings to climb and enjoy.

Make sure to wake up early the next morning to summit Mt. Sopris; weather in the Rocky Mtns becomes increasingly unstable as the day progresses. Traverse past upper Thomas Lakes and brace yourself for the more difficult hiking. The timberline will begin to thin as you move further up the peak and approach the shoulder of the mountain. Off to your left, take in jaw-dropping vistas of the Elk Range and White River National Forest, and don't forget to look down to your feet (this section is prime for columbine flowers). If you are very sensitive to heights, don't look over to the beautiful scenery (there's a steep drop). I am a chicken for heights, but it isn't daunting like a lot of other Elk Range peaks.

The trail continues unto a rocky "trail," mainly marked by cairns. At times, the rocky path will become more of a scramble; everyone in my group had to use hands, but no serious climbing is to be expected. Be aware of a false summit, however, once you reach the false summit, the real summit is visible (not too much higher, but several hundred feet away). A large cairn is visible and marks the summit.

Because my group hiked it in the fog, the views from the top were less than stellar. Having said that, I have seen pictures from the top that never cease to take my breath away. If you leave camp early enough, the sunrise casts soft oranges and pinks on the summit and its face. Eat a well deserved lunch break in the fox holes that protect you from the wind; standing on top of the peak for too long on a windy day can induce some serious windburn. Take plenty of pictures!

This hike can be done in the winter and spring, too, but crampons, ice axes, and heavier duty material is necessary and further precautions (avalanches, cold) are a must. The trip took my group about 10 hours (hiking time), but smaller and more experienced groups can accomplish it in less.