Tom Grundy's Mount Shavano and Tabeguache Page

Things were still a little wet when I got up but it wasn't raining anymore. I headed on up the trail at 5:35 with a short stretch on the Colorado trail that I was careful not to miss the turn off for the peaks. The sun managed to slip under the clouds briefly while I was still in the trees. I felt strong and was moving fairly quickly for me. I passed a number of other hikers on the way up. There was a little bit of snow on the final bit to the summit but not very much. I made it to the 14,229 foot summit of Mount Shavano by 8:30. I got someone to take my picture.

getting above treeline

last bit from the saddle up to Shavano

on the summit of Mt Shavano

I quickly headed off towards Tabeguache (pronounced tab-a-wash) to try to make it across the exposed ridge and back before any serious weather headed in (and it looked like some was brewing). The snow was deeper on the north side of the ridge but not enough to really slow me down. I just had to watch my footing and avoid the drifts. I made decent time down to the saddle between the peaks but flagged a bit on the final 500 feet up to the 14,155 foot summit by 9:20. I spent a bit more time up here taking pictures and resting before heading back.

Mt Tabeguache summit cookie

summit handstand (pic by Sean I think)

view northish from the summit of Mt Tabeguache - Mt Antero is in the middle

view southish from the summit of Mt Tabeguache - Mt Shavano is center left

I hiked back with Sean (or maybe Shawn) talking about hiking and peaks and fitness mostly. The weather caught up with us on the summit of Shavano with sleet and snow and we hunkered down a bit to let it pass (there was no thunder, so I felt better about staying up there in the shelter of a rock). Once the storm passed I continued on down with Sean. It got sunny again for a bit but then there was thunder at about 11. We made it back to the trailhead before 1. I relaxed there until rain threatened. Then I headed off to a 14er interlude at Great Sand Dunes.

storm rapidly approaching from the west

Sean in the snow (it seemed a lot darker than this)

it cleared quickly to the west

the remains of the storm head out over the plains - the trail cuts across below the ridge on the left

Summary of September 3rd, two 14ers, about 11 miles and 5,600 feet of elevation gain. I felt sort of strong and fast. Sun, clouds, snow, and thunder.

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