An Independence Day gone a-Rye
US-412. Enid, OK. 2010.7
US-412. Clayton, NM. 2010.7
US-64/87. NM. 2010.7
Stega did not waste time finding friends once we arrived in Rye. Pueblo County, CO. 2010.7
In the Cuerna Verde water closet. Pueblo County, CO. 2010.7
Cuerna Verde. Pueblo County, CO. 2010.7
Cuerna Verde. Pueblo County, CO. 2010.7
Outside of this guerilla photo, the infamous one-horned goat could be passed as myth. Pueblo County, CO. 2010.7
Cuerna Verde. Pueblo County, CO. 2010.7
Candlelight dinner with happy humans. Cuerna Verde. Pueblo County, CO. 2010.7
My favorite and Cole. Cuerna Verde. Pueblo County, CO. 2010.7
Cole is friends with many and friends with any. Cuerna Verde. Pueblo County, CO. 2010.7
Cuerna Verde. Pueblo County, CO. 2010.7
Sunrise view of Crestone Needle's east face. Sangre de Cristo Wilderness, CO. 2010.7
From Broken Hand Saddle, the Crestone group's notorious gendarmes block views of Broken Hand Peak's summit. Sangre de Cristo Wilderness, CO. 2010.7
The view east from Crestone Needle's lofty summit, 4327 m (14197 ft). Eight a.m., Independence Day. Sangre de Cristo Wilderness, CO. 2010.7
Looking north up the Sangre de Cristos from Crestone Needle's lonely summit (4327 m). Sangre de Cristo Wilderness, CO. 2010.7
Gendarme dividing the east and west gullies of Crestone Needle's south face. Sangre de Cristo Wilderness, CO. 2010.7
The view down the east gully route for perspective. Click the image (large) and try to find the climber. Sangre de Cristo Wilderness, CO. 2010.7
Another view up the east gully route for perspective. Again, click the image (large) and try to find the climber. Sangre de Cristo Wilderness, CO. 2010.7
The colorful conglomerate of the Crestone group. Sangre de Cristo Wilderness, CO. 2010.7
The stately Humboldt Peak, from Broken Hand Pass. Sangre de Cristo Wilderness, CO. 2010.7
Looking south to the Blanca group from the summit of Broken Hand Peak, 4137 m (13573 ft). Sangre de Cristo Wilderness, CO. 2010.7
A foreshortened view of Crestone Needle's massive east face. Sangre de Cristo Wilderness, CO. 2010.7
Crestone Needle and Crestone Peak from high on Humboldt Peak's west ridge. Sangre de Cristo Wilderness, CO. 2010.7
Self portrait on the Humboldt Peak summit, 4286 m (14064 ft). Sangre de Cristo Wilderness, CO. 2010.7
Alpine tenders at approximately 3900 m. Sangre de Cristo Wilderness, CO. 2010.7
More alpine tenders at approximately 3800 m. Sangre de Cristo Wilderness, CO. 2010.7
Wet Mountain Valley. Custer County, CO. 2010.7
Colfax Lane. Custer County, CO. 2010.7
CO HWY-96. Custer County, CO. 2010.7
Favorite lady. Cuerna Verde. Pueblo County, CO. 2010.7
Dreamy hammock spot. Cuerna Verde. Pueblo County, CO. 2010.7
Best hammock view ever. Cuerna Verde. Pueblo County, CO. 2010.7
Looking east on a hike above Cuerna Verde. Pueblo County, CO. 2010.7
Hiking with favorite. Cuerna Verde. Pueblo County, CO. 2010.7
Cuerna Verde. Pueblo County, CO. 2010.7
Cuerna Verde. Pueblo County, CO. 2010.7
Another of Stega's friends from Cuerna Verde. Pueblo County, CO. 2010.7
The cabin had a serious hat collection. Cuerna Verde. Pueblo County, CO. 2010.7
Rye, CO. 2010.7
This post finds Stega and our adventurers setting out to celebrate their independence in colorful Colorado in July of 2010. With Hannah and Ben as our guides, Mandi and I traveled to the foothills of the Sangre de Cristos to see what a historic Cuerna Verde cabin had to offer for freedom. Black bears, World Cup matches on an 8″ TV, aspens, spectacular juxtapositions of stars and lightning, fine Colorado beer and even finer gourmet candlelight dinners, a few solo climbs in the Crestones, hikes with Cole and some real mountain hospitality were what we found. Many thanks to Hannah, Ben and Hannah’s dad Geoff for a very memorable time.
DINO LIFE 
What a great photoessay! I love it all!
2011/03/31 at 17:16
extremely soothing and mystifying journey
2011/03/31 at 20:01