MOUNT YALE

Buena Vista, CO

Round-Trip Distance:  10 miles

Total Elevation Gain: 5,183 ft

Highest Elevation: 14,199 ft

 

Yahooooo!  My first true 14'er of the season!!  Not that I'm all about 14'ers, but it does feel like an accomplishment!!!  Andrew and I tried to do Yale some years back, but we had to retreat due to large strikes of impressive lightening!!!

I started from the Avalanche Gulch Trailhead and went up and over following this amazing ridgeline (photo above ridge on left).  It took a little longer than I expected.  There were a couple of exposed areas, but nothing to to bad.....I think doing the ridge in this direction might be easer???  To me, I would not want to be down climbing the exposed areas.....but then I hate going down!!

Top out shot!!! 

Yep, more amazing views!!!!  This explains why I feel like I only take panoramic shots these days!!!

BETA:
This is route is written up in Gerry Roach's 14er guidebook.  When leaving from Avalanche Gulch TH, go the 3.2 miles and look for a rock cairn on the left side of the trail.  I boogied on past it, and had to go back to find it.  The trail is there, but not super visible for the first 100 feet-ish. The cairn is pretty easy to spot if your looking for it!!

always be swooping