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  • A 4 a.m. s...

    FlattopMountain002.jpg A 4 a.m. start from the Bear Lake parking area led us to this point on the Flattop Mountain trail around sunrise. It is about the longest day of the year, as the sun was rising around 5:25 a.m. image by hikemaster

  • The scener...

    FlattopMountain004.jpg The scenery here to the east of Flattop Mountain is gorgeous, but what you cannot see is the wind. It was howling, gusty, and constant. Hikemaster Scott never got too cold, as he was wearing 5 layers, with 2 more in his pack! image by hikemaster

  • Familiar f...

    FlattopMountain005.jpg Familiar faces! Hikemaster Matthew (front) and Trey and Chris (back) knew that if we were to have a chance at climbing Hikemaster Scott's last 13-er, Mount Powell, the winds would have to calm down. image by hikemaster

  • There's so...

    FlattopMountain007.jpg There's something the Mount Powell hopefuls wouldn't see much of: the sun! It rose over Estes Park to the east. The photo is taken from near treeline on Flattop Mountain. image by hikemaster

  • Trey (righ...

    FlattopMountain008.jpg Trey (right) and Hikemaster Matthew (left) admire the sunrise below the layer of clouds and fog that would soon roll in. Don't expect to see much of the high peaks in the photos to come! image by hikemaster

  • Hikemaster...

    FlattopMountain012.jpg Hikemaster Matthew leads the way towards the tundra on the Flattop Mountain trail. At this point, the krummholz was still providing some protection from the wind, but the prognosis at this point was not good. image by hikemaster

  • Limber pin...

    FlattopMountain014.jpg Limber pine tree (left) grows close to the ground next to the Flattop Mountain trail. On a normal day, this northward view would be an outstanding vista over the Mummy Range...but not today. image by hikemaster

  • The actual...

    FlattopMountain017.jpg The actual air temperature did not seem too cold, but Chris and Hikemaster Matthew were getting cold first from the frigid wind chills. image by hikemaster

  • Quite a bi...

    FlattopMountain019.jpg Quite a bit of snow was found in the lower portions of the trail, but up here, more wind has blown the trail snow-free. Here, Chris (left), Trey (middle), and Hikemaster Matthew (right) cross a small patch near treeline. image by hikemaster

  • This almos...

    FlattopMountain020.jpg This almost seems like it's taken from another planet. The cold sun breaks through the clouds and fog intermitantly. Unfortunately, the sun would not win out in the long run.... image by hikemaster

  • See Longs ...

    FlattopMountain022.jpg See Longs Peak? Nope, not this day! This southward view reveals much fog and shrinking krummholz, our last best protection from the winds. image by hikemaster

  • It was tru...

    FlattopMountain023.jpg It was truly beautiful in a way, but in many ways, Hikemaster Scott wishes the hiking group would have started later when the winds might calm with the warm sunshine. image by hikemaster

  • Hikemaster...

    FlattopMountain025.jpg Hikemaster Matthew (center) takes a stretch break, while Chris (left) and Trey (right) nourish themselves and stay hidden in the krummholz from the wind. Not far from this point, Chris would be the first to turn back due to the elements. image by hikemaster

  • Gorgeous v...

    FlattopMountain026.jpg Gorgeous view to the east from the Flattop Mountain trail. Can you spot Bierstadt Lake on Bierstadt Moraine below? It was Hikemaster Scott's destination one week before, June 14, 2009. image by hikemaster

  • Chris (cen...

    FlattopMountain029.jpg Chris (center) and Trey (right) hide behind krummholz to avoid the winds. They were very, very strong up here this morning, the strongest Hikemaster Scott can ever recall on this trail. image by hikemaster

  • Conditions...

    FlattopMountain031.jpg Conditions worsen on the side of Flattop Mountain. Hikemaster Scott is frustrated by all the wind in June and has had more unsuccessful hikes this month than in the 2 previous years combined! Chris turned back first. image by hikemaster

  • Trey and H...

    FlattopMountain032.jpg Trey and Hikemaster Scott stop for a photo near the Emerald Lake overlook on the Flattop Mountain trail. image by hikemaster

  • This is no...

    FlattopMountain033.jpg This is not an official YMCA hike, so the group isn't required to stay together. Chris turned back for Bear Lake first (he'd hop a shuttle bus ride), and Hikemaster Matthew announced his intentions to do the same if conditions didn't soon improve. image by hikemaster

  • This snowf...

    FlattopMountain035.jpg This snowfield near the summit of Flattop Mountain always lasts well into summer. On this day, it only added to the drama of being up in a cloud. Amazingly, Hikemaster Scott felt strong and warm and was less eager to turn back than the others. image by hikemaster

  • Trey (left...

    FlattopMountain036.jpg Trey (left) and Hikemaster Matthew (right) stand in a world of white above 12,000 ft. There wasn't much danger of getting lost, since the trail is well-packed with footsteps. But noone could see anything up here! image by hikemaster
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