Almagre Mountain with Bailey, Doug, and Kathy

Hello friends! Today I finally was able to get back to Almagre Mountain to adventure! I've been waiting on this summit since last October when I did a solo trip up alongside a frozen North Cheyenne Creek. Kathy, Doug, and Bailey joined me. We went up from the parking lot to Seven Bridges  (622) and then Pipeline  (668) until Nelson's Camp and then up the gully trail. After crossing 701, I somehow managed to get us lost for a little while as I forgot where the wash continued. I should have continued directly upward at this intersection. While we were finding our way from 701, we took a photo by this waterfall which Kathy accurately named "a waterfall on a detour." Myself, Doug and Bailey by the waterfall: 

After messing around and scrambling a little (sorry guys), we came upon this old mine shaft! 

We knew the trail would likely be near to here, and Doug found the proper wash soon. The Colorado wildflowers are in bloom in the high country.

Here is a photo of Kathy coming up to the top of the wash and where the short scramble ends:

And here is the retaining wall for the non-existent reservoir at the top.

Instead of a reservoir, we came into a large moraine. It feels like such an alien landscape, above the treeline, with the Almagre radio towers marking the south summit.

We crossed the moraine and then up to the saddle between the north and south summits. Here is Kathy near the top of the saddle:

And the view at the saddle to the west was fantastic! You can see all of the south slope of Pikes Peak and the southern watershed and reservoirs. I could get a clear view of the summit house atop Pikes Peak, AND an awesome view of the last couple miles of the Cog tracks past Windy Point. And there was this cyclist up there - wow!

Here's our saddle summit photo! We didn't quite tag the official summits, but getting to the saddle was enough for today. Doug, myself, Bailey and Kathy:

And the view down to the east was somewhat hazy today.

Overall though, I absolutely cannot complain about the weather nor the views! This was a great day to do this. We ran back down the road 379A, to the junction with 379, and then down trail 668 from Frosty's Park - for about 18 miles total  (bonus mileage due to my small navigational error). Thanks to Kathy, Bailey and Doug for coming with me. Adventures are more fun with friends!