Day 9 Elevation Vacation……….🦃❤️🥾🏔️
I decided to be like Ernie Banks on this day, I did 2 mountains! A glorious day in the Telluride area.
My first stop, Ballard Mountain @ 12,812’ on a fantastic trail. A few days ago I tried this mountain and only made it to 11,200’ due to weather.
Here are higher pics of the mountain:
8 Replies
1mo
Hope you run into Rube....He used to run Backcountry Ski & Sports in the early 90's....
(In response to this post by VTHokieTom)
1mo
La Junta at 13,445’ was next. The hike from Ballard was glorious. High alpine grasses with flowers starting to pop.
Here are 4 pics: 🤞🤞🤞🤞
(In response to this post by VTHokieTom)
1mo
The descent of La Junta, should be called La Junka, was steep, loose scree. Thankfully, I had my spikes on. After I got down from that, the trail was an old mining road, which was actually fine and the views were fantastic.
Up next were trails and narrow ledges with cliff edges. Exposure does not bother me, well unless I fall😳.
Up next was a land slide area that has not been fixed. To cross this steep, deep ravine, I had to go up 60’ or so, carefully ease into the ravine and slide down to where the trail intersects by stopping on large boulders. The last large boulder was a fail safe. If I miss, it’s a sure slide off a cliff and the end of VTHokieTom. That was not enjoyable.
Then it was overgrown, loose trails with trees blocking the way. Thankfully, I got down after 4 hours of close calls.
The total for the day was 12 miles, 4700’ vertical gain in 10 hours.
Here are 4 more pics:
Until next time.
(In response to this post by VTHokieTom)
1mo
** Edited by PhotoHokieNC at 6/17/2026, 6:03:22 PM
(In response to this post by VTHokieTom)
1mo
Be careful, Tom!
(In response to this post by VTHokieTom)