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After extensive stretching, foam roller routines, and a couple easier hiking successes, I was ready to try out a fourteener again with Clay and Heather. This would be their 1st San Juan Range 14er. San Luis was a good choice because of its forgiving slopes. Heading out of Colorado Springs at 2:30 a.m. put us on the trailhead at dusk. It was a little brisk at around 30 degrees for most of the morning. The sun rising over the Eastern hills was a nice compliment to the easy trail for the first couple miles, warming incrementally faster than the decrease in temperature loss that goes along with elevation gain. It was a pleasure to be out on the trail again after something at least in Colorado's highest 50 ranked peaks. On the right is the first view of San Luis from the Stewart Creek trailhead.
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Breaching the trees is more of an accomplishment vs. other Colorado 14ers because the treeline goes up to 12,400' in some spots (by viewing a topographic map). The average is somewhere around 11,600'. I was subconsciously dismayed by altimeter readings, but paid no real mind (altimeters have been unreliable before). The approach was seemingly long but easy, with the exception of a steep grade just before reaching the final basin. The La Garita Range is incredible for its oneness and brevity - no prominent saddles exist with the rest of the San Juans. The quantity of ranking peaks above 13,500' makes this a very interesting place because of its remote location. On the left is a view toward the saddle of Organ Mountain and San Luis' unranked false summit.
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The hike to the saddle went by quickly and gave me some time to stretch. Clay's dog Sandy, was being very patient, leading only to a 40' extent. I was feeling back to my old self and continued up toward the trail on the Eastern aspect below the ridge to San Luis Peak. It was easy to lose a 100 yard section of trail even with only 2" of snow on the saddle, while at the same time, it's obvious where to head directionally. Back on the trail, I took a few minutes resting for Clay to catch up for the final stretch of ridge. The entire mass of San Luis' summit is braiden with trail in all cardinal directions. On the right is a photo of the summit ridge.
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We followed some tracks in the snow on the Western side of the ridge and soon came upon the final 100', taking about 2 minutes. The summit rendered expansive views, including Stewart Peak, Phoenix Peak and Organ Mountain, as well as Baldy Alto and Baldy Chato. I was pleased with our day, and I did not have a knee problem until the descent back to the basin, although the problem disappeared after a couple miles on the the low % grade trail. I still have some recovering to do, but this short recovery window has exceeded my expectations. I will definitely be back to this area.
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