schnauzers.ws

I've been warned this is a grueling climb and that's no joke. Not even ten minutes in and we are all gasping for air.

We continue the relentless steep climb which if not exposed, is often technical.

We reach the mid-point of our climb and the end of the Chimney Gulch Trail. Yielding some views of Golden (my future home town) and the mountains beyond. Yes, that's the Coors brewery on the left in the first pic. Lousy beer (although I did like Killians), but a great tour.

The second half means more climbing up Lookout Mountain trail as the gang waits for the slower climbers (I wasn't the only one).

Then it's another technical ascent to the top. If daylight stayed around a bit longer we'd head down Apex, but this time we had to opt for the out and back. A screaming downhill it was! Seat lowered and ass set back cleaning all but two sections and the dreaded switchbacks. Curse them!

Mmmmm… Mountain…. Aaaaggghhhhhh!

Actually, the "M" is for the School of Mines. Which although I thought was a school for miners, is really the M.I.T. of Geological Engineering. A really tough school to get into. Go figure.