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After departing the Glacier Gorge trail, Juli (seen here) and Art break ground on a new trail -- the North Longs Peak trail! It passes here over Glacier Creek, with Half Mountain rising dramatically behind.
Taken: Jul 19, 2010
All RMNP enthusiasts recognize this image: the famed Alberta Falls! But what unsung mountain rises behind Alberta Falls in the many photos taken here -- why Half Mountain of course!
Art and Juli loved the hike to Half Mountain. More than once, it looked like the weather was going to squelch the hike....but these guys made it along with Hikemaster Scott's route-finding help.
Art and Juli stop for a photo in front of Half Mountain (11,482 ft, 90th ranked in RMNP) on the Glacier Gorge trail.
Better weather presides to the north overhead the Mummy Range: Left to right: Chiquita Mtn, Ypsilon Mtn, Fairchild Mtn, Hague Peak, and Mummy Mtn. These are 5 of RMNP's 20 thirteeners.
Taken: Jul 20, 2010
Close-up of Half Mountain! That's a whole lot of steepness, bushwhacking, and krummholz, but Hikemaster Scott and his parents got through it to the very top!!!
Dark clouds above Longs, Pagoda, and Chiefshead (backdrop) encourage Art and Juli to hasten their Half Mountain stay. Here, they're already beginning the descent to tree cover. Would this move be necessary? -- we'll see!
Eventually, the views from the northern slopes of Half Mountain become expansive and tremendous. You can see a long way to the north in this image, and review many well-known RMNP landmarks in the foreground.
Great views atop Half Mountain! Chiefs Head Peak (3rd ranked in RMNP) rises at left, while Arrowhead sits in right center, and Thatchtop Mountain (12,668 ft) rises at right. Do you see where Black Lake resides in Glacier Gorge below?
Hallett's Peak (12,700 ft) boasts a long eastern ridge. Do you see Lake Haiyaha in the foreground? This is rugged country to be sure!
Here's the whole picture of Half Mountain! Reaching 11,482 ft into the sky, this massive mountain was a nice one to check off! This peak can be seen prominently from many Glacier Gorge and Bear Lake area locations!
Hikemaster Scott and parents set out early to climb Half Mountain (backdrop) in Glacier Gorge, only to be greeted by an unusually early bout of rain in RMNP.
Juli and Art carefully descend through grass and rocks on the upper section of Half Mountain, which was very steep and treacherous. Hikemaster Scott hoped to get off of this before rocks got wet in the impending rain.
Juli and Art celebrate their first trip to the summit of Half Mountain! They did a great job on the steep climb and were rewarded with these amazing views!
Juli and Art have climbed all 3 of the big peaks in the backdrop here, viewed from the North Longs Peak trail. Left to right: Taylor Peak, Otis Peak, and Hallett's Peak.
Juli and Art hike towards Half Mountain (backdrop). Upon reaching its summit, these two will have climbed 4 new summits in their week in RMNP: Kruger Rock, Battle Mtn, Mt. Orton, and now Half Mountain. Not bad!
Juli and Art stop for a photo on the Glacier Gorge trail beneath the huge mountain they just climbed: Half Mountain! This 11,482 ft peak is highly visible in the Bear Lake/Glacier Gorge areas of RMNP!
Juli bags another of RMNP's 100 biggest peaks --- Half Mountain ---- she's gotten 3 of them on this trip alone! Arrowhead (left), Thatchtop (center), and Taylor (right) dominate the backdrop.
Juli enjoys a photo in front of Half Mountain after completing the grueling but worthwhile climb to its summit. Great job, Juli!
Juli has climbed Hallett's Peak (right) and Otis Peak (left center), and slid down Andrews Glacier (left). Now, she gains a brand new perspective on one of her favorite lakes: Mills Lake! The lake is 1500 feet below, but still gorgeous from here!
Juli wanted a photo in front of Alberta Falls, if only to capture a look at Half Mountain in the image! Great picture! Just one mile to go back to the trailhead from here -- no "wipe out" on this hike!
Near Half Mountain's summit, this view 1500 feet down to Mills Lake is stunning...as are the view of Taylor Peak (left) and Otis Peak (right). You should be able to see Andrews Glacier just left of Otis and right of the Sharkstooth.
Near the Glacier Gorge trailhead, the Half Mountain hikers grab a group photo in front of today's highlight. Juli, Art, and their son, Hikemaster Scott, loved this outing to Half's summit! Elevation gain: 2300+ feet!!!
Northward view towards the Mummy Range in the backdrop, while forceful water runs speedily through a rock-formed chute. Pretty huh?
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