Indulging My Courthouse Compulsion

There are certain hikes that one never tires of repeating. For me, Courthouse Mountain is just such a hike...particularly this time of year.

Though initially a deep woods-hike, Courthouse Trail eventually breaks free from its mantle of gloom and soars like an eagle aloft, with wide-angle far-view rewards that photos fail to do justice.

The Courthouse Trailhead lies over Owl Creek Pass, alongside the West Fork of the Cimarron River

What Courthouse Trail lacks in mileage is made up for in verticality. Right out of the "gate" you sense achilles tendons stretched to their max and a little soft burn in the bum. It's a Stair Master...only outdoors instead of in front of the "boob tube."  

Major peaks rise above stands of timber, from left to right: Precipice and Redcliffe, which we have bagged, and Coxcomb, the "comb" of which is above our comfort level...

Sprinkled along Courthouse Trail are unobstructed and inspiring views of the monolith, Chimney Rock. I must have a thousand photos of Chimney, and still can't resist adding a dozen more to the collection. I beg your indulgence...

Above the plague of timber we are thrust upon alternating sections of solidified volcanic vomit, tipsy boulders, and deeply rutted tundra from a gazillion day hikers who, thankfully, are back to work or school. Perhaps we will have Courthouse all to ourselves on this beautiful day.

It's not dangerous as long as you don't slip...

Unfolding on the horizon above Chimney Rock are the West Elk Mountains over Crested Butte way. I think I can make out 14'er Shavano to the right.

The obligatory closeup of Bobbie's backside...as she negotiates a route through tipsy boulders

While there is no such thing as a "bad summit," I was disappointed in Ms Autumn's neglect of the humungous aspen grove that surrounds Courthouse Mountain. Only 50 "crow-fly" miles south on Red Mountain, the colors are past peak. 

More indulgence, please...

After nearly an hour of aloneness on the summit, we hear voices. Looking down our arrogant long noses we spy a group of invaders. Time to hoist packs and head down. Turns out two of the "invaders" are co-workers of Bobbie at Mountain Fever Gifts...Petra and Dan. 
Small World... 

Just for fun, I zoomed in for the above shot of the "invaders" near and on the summit. 

I will return next fall. It is my Courthouse Compulsion...a little known neurosis common among mountain folk.