{"id":9313,"date":"2024-08-30T22:59:18","date_gmt":"2024-08-30T14:59:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.huangyizhou.com\/?p=9313"},"modified":"2025-01-28T11:23:46","modified_gmt":"2025-01-28T03:23:46","slug":"20240830square-top-mountain","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.huangyizhou.com\/index.php\/2024\/08\/30\/20240830square-top-mountain\/","title":{"rendered":"Day 1 of Summer 2024 Trip to Colorado, Square Top Mountain"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>The first day of my summer 2024 trip to Colorado. I planned to use the day as some form of acclimatization so I decided to hike Square Top Mountain from Guanella Pass.<\/p>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/DSC_2545.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/thumbnails\/DSC_2545.jpg\" alt=\"Square Top Mountain\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Square Top Mountain<\/p><\/div>\n<p><script src=\"\/wp-content\/themes\/splide.min.2.4.21.js\"><\/script>\n<link rel=\"stylesheet\" href=\"\/wp-content\/themes\/splide-skyblue.min.css\">\n<script>\ndocument.addEventListener( 'DOMContentLoaded', function () {\n\tvar secondarySlider1 = new Splide( '#splide-thumb-1', {\n\t\tfixedWidth:100,height:67,gap:10,\n\t\tfocus:'center',keyboard:'focused',\n\t\tcover:true,isNavigation:true,\n\t\tbreakpoints :{'600':{fixedWidth:57,height:38,pagination:false,arrows:false,gap:5,}},\n\t} ).mount();\n\tvar primarySlider1 = new Splide( '#splide-major-1', {\n\t\ttype:'fade',pagination:false,arrows:false,\n\t} );\n\tprimarySlider1.sync( secondarySlider1 ).mount();\n\tvar secondarySlider2 = new Splide( '#splide-thumb-2', {\n\t\tfixedWidth:100,height:67,gap:10,\n\t\tfocus:'center',keyboard:'focused',\n\t\tcover:true,isNavigation:true,\n\t\tbreakpoints :{'600':{fixedWidth:57,height:38,pagination:false,arrows:false,gap:5,}},\n\t} ).mount();\n\tvar primarySlider2 = new Splide( '#splide-major-2', {\n\t\ttype:'fade',pagination:false,arrows:false,\n\t} );\n\tprimarySlider2.sync( secondarySlider2 ).mount();\n\tvar secondarySlider3 = new Splide( '#splide-thumb-3', {\n\t\tfixedWidth:100,height:71,gap:10,\n\t\tfocus:'center',keyboard:'focused',\n\t\tcover:true,isNavigation:true,\n\t\tbreakpoints :{'600':{fixedWidth:56,height:40,pagination:false,arrows:false,gap:5,}},\n\t} ).mount();\n\tvar primarySlider3 = new Splide( '#splide-major-3', {\n\t\ttype:'fade',pagination:false,arrows:false,\n\t} );\n\tprimarySlider3.sync( secondarySlider3 ).mount();\n\tvar secondarySlider4 = new Splide( '#splide-thumb-4', {\n\t\tfixedWidth:100,height:75,gap:10,\n\t\tfocus:'center',keyboard:'focused',\n\t\tcover:true,isNavigation:true,\n\t\tbreakpoints :{'600':{fixedWidth:56,height:42,pagination:false,arrows:false,gap:5,}},\n\t} ).mount();\n\tvar primarySlider4 = new Splide( '#splide-major-4', {\n\t\ttype:'fade',pagination:false,arrows:false,\n\t} );\n\tprimarySlider4.sync( secondarySlider4 ).mount();\n\tvar secondarySlider5 = new Splide( '#splide-thumb-5', {\n\t\tfixedWidth:100,height:67,gap:10,\n\t\tfocus:'center',keyboard:'focused',\n\t\tcover:true,isNavigation:true,\n\t\tbreakpoints :{'600':{fixedWidth:57,height:38,pagination:false,arrows:false,gap:5,}},\n\t} ).mount();\n\tvar primarySlider5 = new Splide( '#splide-major-5', {\n\t\ttype:'fade',pagination:false,arrows:false,\n\t} );\n\tprimarySlider5.sync( secondarySlider5 ).mount();\n\tvar secondarySlider6 = new Splide( '#splide-thumb-6', {\n\t\tfixedWidth:100,height:67,gap:10,\n\t\tfocus:'center',keyboard:'focused',\n\t\tcover:true,isNavigation:true,\n\t\tbreakpoints :{'600':{fixedWidth:57,height:38,pagination:false,arrows:false,gap:5,}},\n\t} ).mount();\n\tvar primarySlider6 = new Splide( '#splide-major-6', {\n\t\ttype:'fade',pagination:false,arrows:false,\n\t} );\n\tprimarySlider6.sync( secondarySlider6 ).mount();\n} );\n<\/script><\/p>\n<p><!--more--><\/p>\n<h3><span id=\"Planning\">Planning<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Despite the relative short nature of this trip, I aimed to include a YDS class 3 mountain in it. But with only 3 full days available (excluding today, Aug 30, when I need to pick up the rental car in the morning, and Sept 3, when my flight is in the afternoon), an ideal plan was to tackle the most challenging mountain on the third full day (Sept 2), and climb a similarly strenuous but less technical mountain on the first full day (Aug 31), taking it easy on the second full day in between (Sept 1). There weren&#8217;t many class 3 mountains near Denver, so initially I focused on &#8220;The Sawtooth&#8221; between Mount Bierstadt and Mount Blue Sky. Unfortunately, weather forecast predicted chances of rain on Sept 2, which thwarted my plan. Nevertheless, I discovered that Square Top Mountain, to the west of Guanella Pass, was perfect for my acclimatization. Plus I got to watch Mount Bierstadt throughout the hike, which somewhat made up for the change in plans.<\/p>\n<h3><span id=\"The_Hike\">The Hike<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>After spending time picking up a rental car in the morning and dealing with some traffic along the way, it&#8217;s 12:30 by the time I reached Guanella Pass. Being a seasonal road, the road to Guanella Pass was uncomfortably twisty after leaving Georgetown (much worse than the one going over Loveland Pass as I experienced two years ago). This relatively late time (for hiking) meant I had no trouble finding a parking spot at Guanella Pass.<\/p>\n<p>Since so much of the day revolved around &#8220;The Sawtooth&#8221; which unfortunately I could only watch during this trip, I would like to start the post with a slideshow of photos taken from various points along the hike.<\/p>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-major-1\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/DSC_2559.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/thumbnails\/DSC_2559.jpg\" alt=\"Mount Spalding, The Sawtooth and Mount Bierstadt\" \/><\/a><\/br>Mount Spalding, The Sawtooth and Mount Bierstadt<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/DSC_2550.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/thumbnails\/DSC_2550.jpg\" alt=\"The Sawtooth between Mount Bierstadt and Mount Blue Sky\" \/><\/a><\/br>The Sawtooth between Mount Bierstadt and Mount Blue Sky<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/DSC_2507.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/thumbnails\/DSC_2507.jpg\" width=\"92.5%\" alt=\"Mount Spalding and Mount Blut Sky\" \/><\/a><\/br>Mount Spalding and Mount Blut Sky<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">The gully in the middle was likely part of the Bierstadt\/Sawtooth\/Blue Sky loop.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/DSC_2508.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/thumbnails\/DSC_2508.jpg\" width=\"92.5%\" alt=\"Mountains to the East\" \/><\/a><\/br>Mountains to the East<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">From left to right: Gray Wolf Mountain, Mount Spalding, Mount Blue Sky and Mount Bierstadt.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/DSC_2518.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/thumbnails\/DSC_2518.jpg\" width=\"92.5%\" alt=\"The Sawtooth between Mount Bierstadt and Mount Blue Sky\" \/><\/a><\/br>The Sawtooth between Mount Bierstadt and Mount Blue Sky<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Seen from the top of Square Top Mountain, the observatory on top of Mount Blue Sky is visible.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-thumb-1\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_2559.jpg\" alt=\"Mount Spalding, The Sawtooth and Mount Bierstadt\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_2550.jpg\" alt=\"The Sawtooth between Mount Bierstadt and Mount Blue Sky\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_2507.jpg\" alt=\"Mount Spalding and Mount Blut Sky\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_2508.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains to the East\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_2518.jpg\" alt=\"The Sawtooth between Mount Bierstadt and Mount Blue Sky\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><noscript><br \/>\nJavascript not enabled, unable to display slideshow.<\/p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n#splide-major-1, #splide-thumb-1 { display:none; }\n<\/style>\n<details>\n<summary>Click here to display photos of &#8220;The Sawtooth&#8221; between Mount Bierstadt and Mount Blue Sky.<\/summary>\n<p><div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/DSC_2559.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/thumbnails\/DSC_2559.jpg\" alt=\"Mount Spalding, The Sawtooth and Mount Bierstadt\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Mount Spalding, The Sawtooth and Mount Bierstadt<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/DSC_2550.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/thumbnails\/DSC_2550.jpg\" alt=\"The Sawtooth between Mount Bierstadt and Mount Blue Sky\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>The Sawtooth between Mount Bierstadt and Mount Blue Sky<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/DSC_2507.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/thumbnails\/DSC_2507.jpg\" alt=\"Mount Spalding and Mount Blut Sky\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Mount Spalding and Mount Blut Sky<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">The gully in the middle was likely part of the Bierstadt\/Sawtooth\/Blue Sky loop.<\/span><\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/DSC_2508.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/thumbnails\/DSC_2508.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains to the East\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Mountains to the East<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">From left to right: Gray Wolf Mountain, Mount Spalding, Mount Blue Sky and Mount Bierstadt.<\/span><\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/DSC_2518.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/thumbnails\/DSC_2518.jpg\" alt=\"The Sawtooth between Mount Bierstadt and Mount Blue Sky\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>The Sawtooth between Mount Bierstadt and Mount Blue Sky<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Seen from the top of Square Top Mountain, the observatory on top of Mount Blue Sky is visible.<\/span><\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<\/details>\n<p><\/noscript><\/p>\n<p>After some warmup, I started the hike at 12:45pm. Here&#8217;s GPS tracking:<\/p>\n<div class=\"mobile-hide\" style=\"width:100%;aspect-ratio:6\/5;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" frameBorder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" src=\"https:\/\/www.wikiloc.com\/wikiloc\/spatialArtifacts.do?event=view&#038;id=199527136&#038;measures=on&#038;title=off&#038;near=off&#038;images=off&#038;maptype=H\" width=\"100%\" height=\"100%\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<div class=\"desktop-hide\" style=\"width:100%;aspect-ratio:3\/5;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" frameBorder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" src=\"https:\/\/www.wikiloc.com\/wikiloc\/spatialArtifacts.do?event=view&#038;id=199527136&#038;measures=on&#038;title=off&#038;near=off&#038;images=off&#038;maptype=H\" width=\"100%\" height=\"100%\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<p>The high elevation of Guanella Pass meant the entire hike was above the tree line. As a result, views were wide open, and they were no doubt enjoyable.<\/p>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-major-2\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/20240830_171047.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/thumbnails\/20240830_171047.jpg\" width=\"89%\" alt=\"Trail to Square Top Mountain\" \/><\/a><\/br>Trail to Square Top Mountain<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/DSC_2509.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/thumbnails\/DSC_2509.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains to the North\" \/><\/a><\/br>Mountains to the North<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/DSC_2510.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/thumbnails\/DSC_2510.jpg\" alt=\"Trail to Square Top Mountain\" \/><\/a><\/br>Trail to Square Top Mountain<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/DSC_2515.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/thumbnails\/DSC_2515.jpg\" alt=\"Meadow\" \/><\/a><\/br>Meadow<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/DSC_2512.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/thumbnails\/DSC_2512.jpg\" alt=\"Meadow\" \/><\/a><\/br>Meadow<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/DSC_2516.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/thumbnails\/DSC_2516.jpg\" alt=\"Otter Mountain\" \/><\/a><\/br>Otter Mountain<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-thumb-2\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/thumbnails-s\/20240830_171047.jpg\" alt=\"Trail to Square Top Mountain\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_2509.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains to the North\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_2510.jpg\" alt=\"Trail to Square Top Mountain\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_2515.jpg\" alt=\"Meadow\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_2512.jpg\" alt=\"Meadow\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_2516.jpg\" alt=\"Otter Mountain\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><noscript><br \/>\nJavascript not enabled, unable to display slideshow.<\/p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n#splide-major-2, #splide-thumb-2 { display:none; }\n<\/style>\n<details>\n<summary>Click here to display photos of the slideshow<\/summary>\n<p><div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/20240830_171047.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/thumbnails\/20240830_171047.jpg\" alt=\"Trail to Square Top Mountain\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Trail to Square Top Mountain<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/DSC_2509.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/thumbnails\/DSC_2509.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains to the North\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Mountains to the North<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/DSC_2510.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/thumbnails\/DSC_2510.jpg\" alt=\"Trail to Square Top Mountain\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Trail to Square Top Mountain<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/DSC_2515.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/thumbnails\/DSC_2515.jpg\" alt=\"Meadow\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/DSC_2512.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/thumbnails\/DSC_2512.jpg\" alt=\"Meadow\" \/><\/a><\/br>Meadow<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/DSC_2516.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/thumbnails\/DSC_2516.jpg\" alt=\"Otter Mountain\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Otter Mountain<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<\/details>\n<p><\/noscript><\/p>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-major-3\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/20240830_125654.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/thumbnails\/20240830_125654.jpg\" width=\"89%\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/a><\/br>Trail<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/20240830_133404.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/thumbnails\/20240830_133404.jpg\" width=\"89%\" alt=\"Mountains to the East\" \/><\/a><\/br>Mountains to the East<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/20240830_125953.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/thumbnails\/20240830_125953.jpg\" width=\"89%\" alt=\"Meadow\" \/><\/a><\/br>Meadow<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/DSC_2549.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/thumbnails\/DSC_2549.jpg\" alt=\"Meadow\" \/><\/a><\/br>Meadow<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/DSC_2546.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/thumbnails\/DSC_2546.jpg\" alt=\"Valley\" \/><\/a><\/br>Valley<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/20240830_132418.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/thumbnails\/20240830_132418.jpg\" width=\"89%\" alt=\"Trail to Square Top Mountain\" \/><\/a><\/br>Trail to Square Top Mountain<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-thumb-3\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/thumbnails-s\/20240830_125654.jpg\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/thumbnails-s\/20240830_133404.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains to the East\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/thumbnails-s\/20240830_125953.jpg\" alt=\"Meadow\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_2549.jpg\" alt=\"Meadow\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_2546.jpg\" alt=\"Valley\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/thumbnails-s\/20240830_132418.jpg\" alt=\"Trail to Square Top Mountain\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><noscript><br \/>\nJavascript not enabled, unable to display slideshow.<\/p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n#splide-major-3, #splide-thumb-3 { display:none; }\n<\/style>\n<details>\n<summary>Click here to display photos of the slideshow<\/summary>\n<p><div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/20240830_125654.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/thumbnails\/20240830_125654.jpg\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Trail<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/20240830_133404.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/thumbnails\/20240830_133404.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains to the East\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Mountains to the East<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/20240830_125953.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/thumbnails\/20240830_125953.jpg\" alt=\"Meadow\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Meadow<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/DSC_2549.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/thumbnails\/DSC_2549.jpg\" alt=\"Meadow\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Meadow<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/DSC_2546.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/thumbnails\/DSC_2546.jpg\" alt=\"Valley\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Valley<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/20240830_132418.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/thumbnails\/20240830_132418.jpg\" alt=\"Trail to Square Top Mountain\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Trail to Square Top Mountain<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<\/details>\n<p><\/noscript><\/p>\n<p>About halfway into the hike, the trail passed Square Top Lake, a small body of alpine lake that nonetheless attracted some fishermen. Before reaching Square Top Lake, the elevation gain was gradual. But shortly after that, the trail made a right-turn at a T-intersection and picked up the pace of elevation gain, averaging 30% gradient for 1.5km (0.9mi). This stretch was the most challenging section of the hike, however, it remained YDS class 1.<\/p>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/20240830_162833.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/thumbnails-m\/20240830_162833.jpg\" width=\"49%\" alt=\"Square Top Lake before Square Top Mountain\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\">&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/20240830_162515.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/thumbnails-m\/20240830_162515.jpg\" width=\"49%\" alt=\"Trail next to Square Top Lake\" \/><\/a><\/br>Square Top Lake<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-major-4\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/20240830_135035.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/thumbnails\/20240830_135035.jpg\" alt=\"Trail to Square Top Mountain\" \/><\/a><\/br>Trail to Square Top Mountain<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/20240830_135625.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/thumbnails\/20240830_135625.jpg\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/a><\/br>Trail<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/20240830_140431.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/thumbnails\/20240830_140431.jpg\" width=\"94.6%\" alt=\"Mountains to the East\" \/><\/a><\/br>Mountains to the East<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">The steepest section of the trail visible in the lower center part.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/20240830_160642.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/thumbnails\/20240830_160642.jpg\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/a><\/br>Trail<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/20240830_141038.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/thumbnails\/20240830_141038.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains to the East\" \/><\/a><\/br>Mountains to the East<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/20240830_142913.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/thumbnails\/20240830_142913.jpg\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/a><\/br>Trail<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-thumb-4\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/thumbnails-s\/20240830_135035.jpg\" alt=\"Trail to Square Top Mountain\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/thumbnails-s\/20240830_135625.jpg\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/thumbnails-s\/20240830_140431.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains to the East\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/thumbnails-s\/20240830_160642.jpg\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/thumbnails-s\/20240830_141038.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains to the East\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/thumbnails-s\/20240830_142913.jpg\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><noscript><br \/>\nJavascript not enabled, unable to display slideshow.<\/p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n#splide-major-4, #splide-thumb-4 { display:none; }\n<\/style>\n<details>\n<summary>Click here to display photos of the slideshow<\/summary>\n<p><div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/20240830_135035.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/thumbnails\/20240830_135035.jpg\" alt=\"Trail to Square Top Mountain\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Trail to Square Top Mountain<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/20240830_135625.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/thumbnails\/20240830_135625.jpg\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Trail<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/20240830_140431.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/thumbnails\/20240830_140431.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains to the East\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Mountains to the East<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">The steepest section of the trail visible in the lower center part.<\/span><\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/20240830_160642.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/thumbnails\/20240830_160642.jpg\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Trail<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/20240830_141038.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/thumbnails\/20240830_141038.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains to the East\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Mountains to the East<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/20240830_142913.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/thumbnails\/20240830_142913.jpg\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Trail<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<\/details>\n<p><\/noscript><\/p>\n<p>After the steep climb, the trail was largely level for the final 0.5km (0.3mi). I launched my drone and recorded the final 3 minutes before me reaching the summit, here&#8217;s a (speedup) video:<br \/>\n<video controls width=\"100%\" poster=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/thumbnails\/DJI_0530_3389.jpg\" preload=\"none\"><source src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/Square_Top_Final_Speedup_2160p30_H265_12Mbps.mp4\"><\/video><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-size: x-small;\">1 minute and 18 seconds of video time, 2160p30fps, H265 only, 12Mbps \/ 120MB.<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><span id=\"The_Summit\">The Summit<\/span><\/h4>\n<p>As usual, once on top, I recorded another video to commemorate the moment.<br \/>\n<video controls width=\"100%\" poster=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/thumbnails\/DJI_0555_085.jpg\" preload=\"none\"><source src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/Square_Top_Mountain_Helix_2160p60_H265_18Mbps.mp4\"><source src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/Square_Top_Mountain_Helix_2160p60_H264_20Mbps.mp4\"><\/video><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-size: x-small;\">27 seconds of video time, 2160p60fps, 18Mbps\/63MB for H265, 20Mbps\/69MB for H264.<\/span><\/p>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/DJI_0531_DJI_0542-12.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/thumbnails\/DJI_0531_DJI_0542-12.jpg\" alt=\"Surroundings of Square Top Mountain\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Surroundings of Square Top Mountain<\/p><\/div>\n<p>From the top of Square Top Mountain, a myriad of mountains stretched out before me. I was delighted to find out that most of the 14ers that I climbed two years ago were visible. It&#8217;s like recognizing the faces of a few old friends in an exhilarating reunion.<\/p>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-major-5\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/DSC_2521.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/thumbnails\/DSC_2521.jpg\" alt=\"Cairn on top of Square Top Mountain\" \/><\/a><\/br>Cairn on top of Square Top Mountain<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/DSC_2524.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/thumbnails\/DSC_2524.jpg\" width=\"92.5%\" alt=\"Ridgeline\" \/><\/a><\/br>Ridgeline<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Passing a few peaks, ultimately leading to Torreys and Grays.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/DSC_2530.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/thumbnails\/DSC_2530.jpg\" width=\"92.5%\" alt=\"Grays Peak and Torreys Peak\" \/><\/a><\/br>Grays Peak and Torreys Peak<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Two prominent 14ers.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/DSC_2527C.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/thumbnails\/DSC_2527C.jpg\" width=\"92.5%\" alt=\"Mountains to the Southwest\" \/><\/a><\/br>Mountains to the Southwest<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Tenmile &#8211; Mosquito Range, two 14ers that I climbed back in 2022 marked.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/DSC_2528.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/thumbnails\/DSC_2528.jpg\" width=\"89.2%\" alt=\"Mountains to the West\" \/><\/a><\/br>Mountains to the West<\/br>\n<div style=\"font-size: smaller;text-align: left\">Three layers of mountain ranges. Tenmile Range in the center, Sawatch Range in the back. Mount of the Holy Cross as the highest one in the background.<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/DSC_2525.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/thumbnails\/DSC_2525.jpg\" alt=\"Town of Keystone before Dillon Reservoir and Mountains\" \/><\/a><\/br>Town of Keystone before Dillon Reservoir and Mountains<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/DSC_2538.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/thumbnails\/DSC_2538.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains to the North\" \/><\/a><\/br>Mountains to the North<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/DSC_2531.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/thumbnails\/DSC_2531.jpg\" width=\"92.5%\" alt=\"Murry Reservoir in between Mountains\" \/><\/a><\/br>Murry Reservoir in between Mountains<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">I was surprised to learn that this was an artificial reservoir.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-thumb-5\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_2521.jpg\" alt=\"Cairn on top of Square Top Mountain\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_2524.jpg\" alt=\"Ridgeline\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_2530.jpg\" alt=\"Grays Peak and Torreys Peak\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_2527C.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains to the Southwest\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_2528.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains to the West\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_2525.jpg\" alt=\"Town of Keystone before Dillon Reservoir and Mountains\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_2538.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains to the North\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_2531.jpg\" alt=\"Murry Reservoir in between Mountains\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><noscript><br \/>\nJavascript not enabled, unable to display slideshow.<\/p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n#splide-major-5, #splide-thumb-5 { display:none; }\n<\/style>\n<details>\n<summary>Click here to display photos of the slideshow<\/summary>\n<p><div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/DSC_2521.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/thumbnails\/DSC_2521.jpg\" alt=\"Cairn on top of Square Top Mountain\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Cairn on top of Square Top Mountain<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/DSC_2524.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/thumbnails\/DSC_2524.jpg\" alt=\"Ridgeline\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Ridgeline<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Passing a few peaks, ultimately leading to Torreys and Grays.<\/span><\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/DSC_2530.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/thumbnails\/DSC_2530.jpg\" alt=\"Grays Peak and Torreys Peak\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Grays Peak and Torreys Peak<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Two prominent 14ers.<\/span><\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/DSC_2527C.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/thumbnails\/DSC_2527C.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains to the Southwest\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Mountains to the Southwest<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Tenmile &#8211; Mosquito Range, two 14ers that I climbed back in 2022 marked.<\/span><\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/DSC_2528.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/thumbnails\/DSC_2528.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains to the West\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Mountains to the West<\/br><\/p>\n<div style=\"font-size: smaller;text-align: left\">Three layers of mountain ranges. Tenmile Range in the center, Sawatch Range in the back. Mount of the Holy Cross as the highest one in the background.<\/div>\n<p><\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/DSC_2525.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/thumbnails\/DSC_2525.jpg\" alt=\"Town of Keystone before Dillon Reservoir and Mountains\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Town of Keystone before Dillon Reservoir and Mountains<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/DSC_2538.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/thumbnails\/DSC_2538.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains to the North\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Mountains to the North<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/DSC_2531.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/thumbnails\/DSC_2531.jpg\" alt=\"Murry Reservoir in between Mountains\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Murry Reservoir in between Mountains<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">I was surprised to learn that this was an artificial reservoir.<\/span><\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<\/details>\n<p><\/noscript><\/p>\n<p>Unfortunately, reaching the summit of Square Top Mountain meant that the fabulous views came with a dose of wind. Although the wind wasn&#8217;t particularly strong, I made the mistake by leaving the trailhead in a T-shirt. This was largely fine on the trail as Square Top Mountain effectively blocked winds from the west, but there was no such protection on top of the mountain. As a result, I only remained on the top for 30 minutes before starting to head back down. Despite this brief exposure, the wind left my nose feeling somewhat uncomfortable by the end of the day.<\/p>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-major-6\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/20240830_155122.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/thumbnails\/20240830_155122.jpg\" width=\"89%\" alt=\"Square Top Lakes before Mountains to the East\" \/><\/a><\/br>Square Top Lakes before Mountains to the East<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/DSC_2536C.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/thumbnails\/DSC_2536C.jpg\" width=\"92.5%\" alt=\"Mountains to the North\" \/><\/a><\/br>Mountains to the North<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Longs Peak in the background distance, another 14er I climbed in summer 2022.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/DSC_2543.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/thumbnails\/DSC_2543.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains to the East\" \/><\/a><\/br>Mountains to the East<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/DSC_2540.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/thumbnails\/DSC_2540.jpg\" width=\"92.5%\" alt=\"Mountains to the Southwest\" \/><\/a><\/br>Mountains to the Southwest<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">The southern part of Sawatch Range in the background.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/DSC_2542.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/thumbnails\/DSC_2542.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains to the South\" \/><\/a><\/br>Mountains to the South<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/DSC_2517.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/thumbnails\/DSC_2517.jpg\" width=\"92.5%\" alt=\"Distant South Park\" \/><\/a><\/br>Distant South Park<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">A grassland flat surrounded by mountains.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-thumb-6\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/thumbnails-s\/20240830_155122.jpg\" alt=\"Square Top Lakes before Mountains to the East\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_2536C.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains to the North\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_2543.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains to the East\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_2540.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains to the Southwest\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_2542.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains to the South\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_2517.jpg\" alt=\"Distant South Park\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><noscript><br \/>\nJavascript not enabled, unable to display slideshow.<\/p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n#splide-major-6, #splide-thumb-6 { display:none; }\n<\/style>\n<details>\n<summary>Click here to display photos of the slideshow<\/summary>\n<p><div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/20240830_155122.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/thumbnails\/20240830_155122.jpg\" alt=\"Square Top Lakes before Mountains to the East\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Square Top Lakes before Mountains to the East<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/DSC_2536C.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/thumbnails\/DSC_2536C.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains to the North\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Mountains to the North<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Longs Peak in the background distance, another 14er I climbed in summer 2022.<\/span><\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/DSC_2543.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/thumbnails\/DSC_2543.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains to the East\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Mountains to the East<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/DSC_2540.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/thumbnails\/DSC_2540.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains to the Southwest\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Mountains to the Southwest<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">The southern part of Sawatch Range in the background.<\/span><\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/DSC_2542.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/thumbnails\/DSC_2542.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains to the South\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Mountains to the South<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/DSC_2517.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/thumbnails\/DSC_2517.jpg\" alt=\"Distant South Park\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Distant South Park<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">A grassland flat surrounded by mountains.<\/span><\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<\/details>\n<p><\/noscript><\/p>\n<p>My descent was largely uneventful, until I was caught completely off guard by a coyote sighting in the fields. I happened to have my camera ready and quickly captured a photo. (The photo was cropped to 500mm equivalent, so it was a safe distance away.) Almost at the same time, it was alerted by my presence and quickly disappeared into the bushes. Watching it run away, I briefly felt the thrill of having encountered a wild wolf. Only by analyzing the photo further did I realize it&#8217;s more likely a coyote.<\/p>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/DSC_2548.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/thumbnails\/DSC_2548.jpg\" alt=\"Coyote Sighting\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Coyote Sighting<\/p><\/div>\n<p>In the end, I was back at the trailhead at 5:15pm, finishing the hike in 4.5 hours, including the half-hour rest at the summit.<\/p>\n<h3><span id=\"Georgetown_Overlook\">Georgetown Overlook<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>My overnight lodge was in the town of Leadville, so after the hike, I drove back to Georgetown before following I70 further west. Before descending into Georgetown, I paused at a roadside overlook to snap a few photos (, despite they weren&#8217;t particularly exciting). In addition, I launched my drone for an aerial tour of Georgetown, nested in a valley between two mountain ranges. The town was built to support nearby mining operations, first gold then silver, in the late 19th century. Now it appeared as a charming small town centered on tourism.<\/p>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/DJI_0559.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/thumbnails-m\/DJI_0559.jpg\" width=\"49%\" alt=\"Overlooking Georgetown\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\">&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/DJI_0561.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/08\/30\/thumbnails-m\/DJI_0561.jpg\" width=\"49%\" alt=\"Georgetown Lake\" \/><\/a><\/br>Overlooking Georgetown<\/p><\/div>\n<p>And here&#8217;s a video from my drone overflying Georgetown:<br \/>\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"600\" height=\"338\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/eimN17eE8NU\" title=\"YouTube video player\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>The rest of the drive to Georgetown wasn&#8217;t particularly remarkable, and with that, I called it a day.<\/p>\n<p>END<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The first day of my summer 2024 trip to Colorado. I planned to use the day as some form of acclimatization so I decided to hike Square Top Mountain from Guanella Pass.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[427,666,2],"tags":[594],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.huangyizhou.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9313"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.huangyizhou.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.huangyizhou.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.huangyizhou.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.huangyizhou.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=9313"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.huangyizhou.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9313\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":9396,"href":"https:\/\/www.huangyizhou.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9313\/revisions\/9396"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.huangyizhou.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9313"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.huangyizhou.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=9313"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.huangyizhou.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=9313"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}