Let the 14'er Journey Begin: Hiking Mount Yale
Over the past year I’ve somehow become big on Facebook groups. They’re just chock full of information but more importantly, nutty people that post entertaining content. But back to the information part: There are lots of people asking good questions, and lots of helpful (and unhelpful) answers. When I hiked the White Mountains back in New England, all I did was look up the weather via Apple Weather, download the map on All Trails, and head off. The amount of route planning, weather inquiries, and every other question under the sun in these Facebook groups made me realize that I pretty much say f*ck it and go on my merry way. Do I recommend this method? Yes and no. Yes, because ignorance is bliss. But no, because it’s really good to be prepared when you’re going out into the wilderness, and by being prepared you can help prevent putting yourself in precarious situations and reduce the likelihood of needing rescue services should it come down to that. Now how does this relate to this post? Well, I’ve done it yet again. Gone hiking with no preparation other than “sure I’ll do it with you, this will be my first 14’er”.
Even though it’s still nighttime, it’s warm out in Buena Vista. We make the twenty minute drive to the trailhead, and at 5:15am there is still a number of spots left in the parking lot. I’d had this pre-conceived notion that 14’ers were going to ruin me, but I was pleasantly surprised (by Mt. Yale, at least). It’s the 20th highest 14’er at 14,200’ elevation. Growing up hiking in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, this 14’er was no harder than some of the trails out there. It wasn’t until the last mile or so of this hike that I felt the toll of hiking because overall, the trail’s incline was less than what I was used to. In the White’s, those trails can go straight up- because who needs switchbacks?
So now we get to my lack of preparation for this hike. I had sunscreen, snacks, and plenty of water. What I didn’t account for were substantial winds that proceeded to freeze me (hands, couldn’t feel ‘em). I hiked with three others, and while me and another were ahead, we’d wait for the others to catch up and it was during those rest periods the wind and cold really got to me. But, I thankfully made it to the summit without fail. In the final stretch to the top there is some scrambling involved and at the time, a small patch of snow to cross. We didn’t get to enjoy the summit much because of a storm rolling in, and on our way down there was a short period of snow and then hail. It thundered a bit, and we passed people who were reconsidering their summit, while others continued on. Mind you, trying to summit in a thunderstorm is really not recommended! The hike down felt like forever, but we did see a marmot who was bravely defending his territory with his squeak that sounded very similar to a smoke alarm that is in need of new batteries.
Despite a window of poor weather, it was a great first 14’er with beautiful views and great company!
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Also, I just have to RAVEabout these Lululemon hiking shorts!! They have a 5” inseam, zippered and snap pockets on either side that are nice and deep so your phone won’t fall out, high waisted, and comfy as can be. I’m not going to link them because it looks like they’re retiring them, but they are called the Multi-Pocket Cargo High-Rise Hiking Short 5" if you happen to see them bouncing around on a clothing resale site. I’ve got these in grey and green, and I wish I had more!
TRAILHEAD
No 4WD or AWD needed for the trailhead- it is right along the highway!
There is an outhouse at the trailhead
This hike starts in the woods- not in an open basin
DISTANCE
All trails will tell you this hike is 8.5 miles- my logged Strava activity shows 9.92 miles of character building!
ELEVATION
4,402’ of elevation gain! If you’re coming from out of state, be on the lookout for signs of altitude sickness.
GEAR
Nathan Quickstart 2.0 6L Hydration Pack | Nathan Sports, REI
ON Cloudrock Waterproof Hiking Boot | St. Bernard, Exxpozed, Hatchet Outdoor Supply Co, (2.0 version) On
Multi-Pocket Cargo High-Rise Hiking Short 5" | retired
Arc’teryx Beta SL Hybrid Jacket | (similar) Arc’teryx, (similar) REI
Trail map via All Trails
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