Cinnamon Pass in the Snow

After trying to hike Handies Peak in the snow, Becca and I tried to jeep over Cinnamon Pass to Silverton.  There was snow on the trail that made conditions slippery, but we made it to the top.  Unfortunately, we couldn't make it all the way to Silverton because other travelers reported that the other side of the pass was rather treacherous, but the beautiful views made the drive worth it.

Morning moon over the Pinnacles

Morning light on the snow-covered Continental Divide and Lake San Cristobal

American Basin as seen from Cinnamon Pass

Looking down Cinnamon Pass back toward Lake City

Looking down Cinnamon Pass back toward Lake City

More Moose

After running into a heard of bighorn sheep on our way back from our snow hike (and after seeing a family of moose on our way to the hike), we ran into more moose--probably the same family as before that had just moved many miles down the valley to a warmer spot.  Quite an eventful day!

Lake San Cristobal at the end of an incredible day

Snow Moose

On our way up to Handies Peak, we ran across some moose grazing near the 4x4 trail.  The moose didn't seem to mind us or the new snow.

Licking snow off the bushes (I think)

Checking on his ladies

Hiking Handies in the Snow

With new snow blanketing the mountains, my sister and I jumped in the jeep and headed toward our favorite fourteener, Handies Peak.  We didn't make the summit, but the combination of fall colors, new snow, and bluebird skies was absolutely breathtaking.

Making our way up Cinnamon Pass to American Basin and the Handies Peak trailhead

Getting into the snow

Becca claims Cinnamon Pass

Made it to American Basin, now time to start hiking

American Basin

Looking back down toward the trailhead

Trudging through new snow

The top of Handies will have to wait for another day

Post-holing to Sloan Lake: exhausting but beautiful

Sloan Lake