Butler Gulch - Not for Sissies!

I had this one pegged totally wrong.  Before the hike I said, "I expect it to be easy."  To some in the group from ACAA today, it may have been moderate at best in terms of difficulty.  For others, it was strenuous.  We were not far from the TH this morning before the elevation started to accumulate.

Stream crossings are part of the diversity this hike provides.

Louisa stands  beside a lazy waterfall...here trail changes from old mine road to single track. 

Trail conditions were ideal.  Solid footing all day, except for a few areas where a mountain spring ran across trail or runoff from higher elevations came charging across our path, creating a brief area of mud.  Loose rock, not a big issue, even on steep areas.  Trail surges up, up, and more up to 11,360 ft.,  We now find ourselves above treeline.  The instant my eyes caught the endless color and countless shades of green, as far as I could see, I was in some other world.  Breathless, some might say.  Others, no sound, simply gulp!, or Holy S__t that is just awesome.  The mountainsides, alpine meadows, mini basins, and drainage areas were all displaying their finest example of what we call nature. 

Mountain Daisy, Larkspur, Indian Paintbrush, Blue Columbine, everywhere.

Indian paintbrush stands tall and proud among it's colorful flora.

Mountain Daisy and Black-eyed Susan as far as one can see.

It becomes difficult to put it into words...start with awesome.

Hike leader, Ed Blum, forgot his camera.  When he came to a spot of particular beauty, he called out, "Need a camera here."  Between Jason and me, there will be lots of choices.  On the return trek to the TH, one hiker decided to do her rendition of "The hills are alive..." to Mother Nature.  Hopefully Mom appreciated it.

According to my buddy, Jason, who brought his Garmin and his camera, we topped out at 11,640'.  We ate lunch in the shadow of an abandoned mine shaft.  The thought of brave men and women laboring here in terrible conditions sent a chill up my spine.

Abandon mine shaft at 11,640'

A group photo, then one last look up at the 13,000 ft. continental divide reminded me how lucky we are to be able to hike to these remote spots within a two-hour drive from home.

Likely THE most active group of ACAA men and women.

 

According to Garmin, we did 9.7 mi. today and accumulated somewhere around 2,000' elevation gain.  I am not one to back down from a challenge.  I would do this trail again simply because of the scenery, canopy in the early stages, and solitude it offers.  I recommend that it remain on the list for future hikes.  My advice to ACAA is make note (a dot beside the elevation gain) of hikes such as this.  People appreciate knowing in advance that extraordinary measures may be required.

This hike has all the elements of a great hike, causing a major shuffle in the top 10.  It shoots to #3 on this weeks top 10 list.  Check it out on the right.