Midnight Hike to Heaven

This summer is rapidly turning into my summer of 14ers! Just two days into official summer, I am already three down! This week my friend, Katherine invited me along on a midnight hike with some of her friends from work. I never even knew a midnight hike was something I'd ever want to do, but I couldn't say no! It was the first official weekend of summer and it happened to coincide with the Super Moon!

What a glorious night! "Supermoon" from the base of Grays peak

Katherine and I, ready to get started!!

Saturday, June 22, 2013 was my first midnight hike. We got to the trail head right at midnight, and before I knew it, we were on the ascent up Grays Peak. Headlamps and gear in place, it was onward and upward. Truthfully, we didn't even need the headlamps! It was so bright as the sky was illuminated with glorious light from the full moon above. I was in complete awe as I saw the mountains from a whole new angle. It was so peaceful and quiet, untouched by traffic of the daily hikers. The moonlight reflected off of the snow that still remained in random piles on the peaks. It was the most perfect, clear night; not a cloud in the sky. It was chilly, and progressively colder the higher we got.

Mountains by nightfall.

Getting closer!!!

And thanks to the trail illuminated by the moon, we reached the summit of Grays Peak around 3:30 am! The sights of the city and surrounding mountain ridges were breathtaking! We had plans for a summit-hot-cocoa break, but it was a bit too windy, and it was freezing cold. We had to get moving before we froze.

Me & Katherine on Grays Peak {{14,270 feet}}

The Glorious Supermoon from Grays

The City lights of Denver!!

An incredible shot of the Big Dipper over Torreys Peak

 We trekked across the rocky saddle over to Torreys Peak. It was just before dawn as we reached the summit at about 5:30am. We waited to witness the most glorious sunrise I've ever seen. It was such an incredible sight to have the rising sun to the east, and the beautiful full moon fading into the alpenglow to the west. It was so quiet and still. To see God's beauty in such an incredible way, is something I can never describe. We relished in the moment as the sun quickly rose above the horizon, and then began the trek back down.

Anxiously awaiting sunrise

 

Almost to the top of Torreys!!

We did it!!! Torreys Peak {{14,267 feet}}

Our whole group! (Forgive the slanted angle and blurr. Thankful for auto timers :)

layers.

Almost time

And there it is. Glorious beauty.

The lovely alpen-glow to the west

The sun has risen

((my attempt at a panoramic photo))

We began to pass the morning hikers that were just beginning their ascent, and I couldn't help but feel like I was in on the best kept secret, experiencing this journey in the quiet night. It was an 8 hour (approx. 9 miles) journey. Our bodies were completely exhausted (both from the hike itself, and being awake for 24 hours). We stopped in Idaho Springs for breakfast before heading back to Denver. It's been a long time since I've pulled an all-nighter, but if it's to experience something as glorious as summiting two 14,000 foot mountains by the light of a full moon, and watching the sunrise, I can't even begin to express how much it is absolutely worth it. I'm so thankful for such great friends that encourage me to push my limits, which allows me to see the world from a whole new point of view. I sometimes underestimate myself and my abilities, but I am quickly reminded that:
           - "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength." {{Phil. 4:13}}.

Mountains and friends. Some of my favorite things.

Final glimpse back of where we were.

***NOTE: {{All photos were taken from my Sony NEX-5R and my iPhone. Only photos with fake black borders were edited. All others remain untouched.}}



-just me and my thoughts.
blessings&love.