Up and Moving
After a night of intermittant rain and howling winds that made us glad we were not on top of Horseshoe Mesa,
we got up and broke camp. (although one rockslide we heard did give us pause)
We had to work fast to get the tent down without the wind blowing it
away. After a quick but cold breakfast, we hit the trail around 8:45. We had about 4 miles and 2500 ft
to go.
Horseshoe Mesa
We reached the top of Horseshoe Mesa a little after 9:00. Because we were concerned about the incoming
weather, we only looked around enough to make sure we had the correct trail. (basically we went as far as
the stone building to read the signs). Then we resumed the climb out.
Are we there Yet?
We trekked throught the fresh power, keeping an eye out for ice on the many sections of riprap that make up
the trail. Fortunately, the fears raised at the beginning of our hike did not come true.
The powder provided good footing, and we did not need crampons. Not having hiked Grandview before,
we were continually dissapointed by the many false peaks the trail comes to. There were countless
times where we thought we were almost there, only to come around a bend
or atop a ridge and see the trail continue on and on.
Finally, The top
We reached the top around 11:15-11:30 with about 2-3 inches of fresh powder in places on the final stretch of trail.
Despite it being a weekday in December, it wasn't long before I was able to get a ride back to Lipan point where
my truck was parked. I made it back to get Mike around 12:15.
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