Some of my favorite mountains. Especially around Westcliffe. I have climbed the northernmost peak south of Salida. Simmons Peak. Not bad for a flatlander from Texas. I also climbed Mt. Antero in the Sawatch Range. 14,000’. This was during geology field camp.
What prospecting did you do in Texas? Just curious ;-)
They are really a whole different ecosystem than the dry valleys below. I really wished I could have climbed Wheeler Peak when I was out there, but had rolled and sprung my ankle coming down Mount Elbert to the north.
Dad and I walked from Iron Gate in the Pecos Wilderness to north of Culebre and to the top of the peaks on the way. It took several trips. I would drive non stop from Fort Smith and we would walk as far as possible when we arrived. Great times with my best friend. He has been gone 21 years in January. There will never be another like him. We both seemed to know when to talk and when to be silent and we both believed in working until the job was done no matter how hard or how long it took. We could work for hours and hours together. Sure do miss him.