Storms on Middle Almagre

On Tuesday, June 28th, we took the family for a summer drive and tour through the Lost Creek and South Park areas.

We picnicked at Tarryall Reservoir and drove on Highway 77 all the way through to 285, taking in the sweeping views. What a lovely drive!

Then, on Thursday (the 30th), I was ready to go back to the mountains for another long one!!

My goal for the day was "Middle" Almagre. Almagre Mountain has north and south summits, both of which I've been atop in the past. But these summits are adorned with radio towers and human structures. Instead, I wanted to scale up one of the smaller sub-summits in between the north and south summits, and climb the tallest rock formation on top. It sounded more picturesque and natural. Unofficially, I call this "Middle" Almagre.

I began my day at the top of North Cheyenne Cañon, and headed up the Seven Bridges trail. It was fairly busy, up until the last bridge. After that point, the trail quickly became extremely quiet.

I made my way from 622 to 668, the Pipeline Trail. Clouds were building a little over my favorite valley. 

Soon I was back in the woods on my way towards Nelson's Camp, and I stopped paying attention to the sky, since the Colorado wildflowers were so abundant and amazing!

There they were, in every variety and color. And the columbines! The columbines were like purple little starbursts, popping up throughout the forest and along the main tributatory of N. Cheyenne Creek, which was still flowing quite well from the late-season snow.

At the old metal sign at the creek crossing, I turned west to follow the main flow of the creek, up towards the old Mt. Baldy Reservoir basin on top. This is the "standard" route up Almagre.

I've been on this trail many times in the past, and it used to be hard to follow in a few areas. But this was the first time I've been on this route this year, and the trail was very solid, easy to follow, and even carefully cairned at critical junctions.

Someone put in a lot of work to make this trail really nice!! I was so pleased that the trail was so easy to follow. The trail passed through a "bumpy" aspen forest and climbed beyond some steep crags.

Before I knew it, I was climbing close to the treeline and could see the Almagre Reservoir dam just ahead of me.

The view down into North Cheyenne Cañon and Colorado Springs beyond was filled with rain clouds, but it was dry where I was.

I reached the dam, and the alpine tundra. The tundra was filled with amazing wildflowers of all colors! It was impressive! Even the mosses were blooming.

The sky was cloudy, but it wasn't stormy or raining, and the flat, empty reservoir basin was calm and not very windy, with intermittent sunlight. 

I headed directly for the Middle Almagre summit. As soon as I climbed up to the ridgeline, a powerful gust of wind hit me.

I could see the South Slopes Rec Area a thousand feet below me to the west, with the Crestones and other distant 14ers decorating the western skyline.

As I scrambled up the short final ridgeline, Pikes Peak came into view, with a light green tint on its southern face, which I knew was actually a soft carpet of alpine grass.

I spotted the summit outcrop, and found that it was simple to get on top. It wouldn't even call it a "scramble" - more like a step-up!

From the summit of Middle Almagre, I could see a fantastic 360-degree panorama! There were some heavy rainstorms over the Westcliffe area to the southwest. But the most dramatic clouds were building over Bull Park, just on the other side of the South Slopes lakes.

"Middle Almagre" summit panorama. 

I sat on the top of the summit outcrop for as long as I could stand the wind. I loved looking at the views of the distant 14ers, with no smog or smoke in the air today.

Reluctantly, I decided it was time to descend and begin my return trip. I downscrambled the short ridgeline back to the Almagre Reservoir basin. As soon as I reached the basin, the sky crackled loudly. Lightning erupted and struck somewhere over by Bull Park, just to my northwest.

I had pushed my luck with the building storms. Now I had to get off this mountain, and fast. Adrenaline surged, and I ran downhill on the road 379A. This was the fastest way to escape back to treeline.

A cold spitting rain began, chilling me. But my pace to the south was faster than the storm encroaching from the north, and I quickly emerged from the rain. I slowed from my downhill sprint, and took a few more photos of the wide view down into North Cheyenne Cañon, and Mount Rosa to the south.

But the storm wasn't done with me. At the junction of road 379 and the 4-wheel road 370.C, the rain had returned, soaking me and chilling me to the bone. I sheltered under a tree for a moment, but the cracking thunder told me I hadn't much time to hesitate. I opted to continue to the south, following the 370.C road for a quick descent to Gold Camp Road, although I knew it would add some mileage to my day.

I just had to get off this mountain quick, and it turned out that 370.C was the perfect way to do that. The rock-strewn road descends sharply through thick forest. 

Soon, the storm began to dissipate, and the electricity gave way to a gentle pitter-pattering of drizzle. I was rock-hopping with a fresh energy, and my fear had evolved to joy. I loved this road! It was like a hidden gem, with views of Mount Big Chief to the east, and unique rock pinnacles to the west.

Soon I'd reached Gold Camp Road, although a few miles further away from town than my usual descent route. But I was certain now that I'd picked the right way to go, as the storm had nearly cleared, it was no longer raining, and the birds were singing all around me.

I began my long journey back to town now, with at least another 14 miles to go. However, it was all easy dirt road mileage, and totally doable. My confidence was up from last time I'd done this road run. All I had to do was put in the work!

I enjoyed the green valleys and the craggy rock formations - "old gods" that stood tall, made of Pikes Peak granite, watching over these mountains.

I felt good overall during the whole way back to town. Maybe I'm getting used to the ultra long road runs! Hopefully that means I'll be able to succeed in the Silver Rush 50 miler someday, which is one of my long-term goal races. I believe it has a decent portion of high altitude dirt road running. 

When I finally got back to town and finished, my distance exceeded 27 miles. A nice total for a crazy day! And, even though I'd had to escape from the lightning above treeline, I'd had an amazing day and made my summit goal.

It's been shaping up to be a great summer so far, training-wise! Soon, I hope to do a 40-miler and then eventually go for the 50-mile, which is my main goal for the year 😀. The training has been helping to build my mental long-distance fortitude, but I'm still a bit anxious about attempting the big distance.

This big Almagre day was a good one for me though! Hope that you enjoyed the photos and journeying with me.