Wheeler Peak summit hike (on the way up): August 7, 2015

Virtually every mountain trail follows a rushing brook for part of the way.  The sound is a soothing accompaniment to footsteps crunching on rocks and dirt.

Marmets were everywhere, chirping and calling to each other across the rocks.  This one scored a ripe, red strawberry, probably from a hiker ahead of us.

About 4 miles in. Part of the trail crossed fallen rock, called scree.  Do you see me there?

Snow in August!  Just had to go off trail to actually touch some snow.

Papa Tom

So close to the summit!  Do you see the hikers on the ridge?

Then rain clouds rolled in.  We decided we didn't want to be the tallest things in the open in the event of lightning strikes, so headed back down for the treeline without making the summit.  Also, climbing the rocky trail was tricky enough when the rocks were dry.  We didn't think going down on wet, slippery rocks would be a good idea.