Roundtrip Mileage/Elevation Gain -- 6.0 miles/2,770 ft.

I climbed this one with Marc Hamm when he visited for a week of hiking in the summer of 2004.  This was an acclimatization hike for what turned out to be a failed attempt of Longs Peak later in the week.

Word to the wise -- if you want to climb this mountain, do it during the week.  I've been on this mountain on a summer Saturday, and found the crowds to be a little overwhelming.  There were no less than 30-40 people on the summit and what seemed to be a train of folks (many with unleashed dogs) coming up the mountain.  The mountain's proximity to Denver makes it a popular destination for the relatively novice weekend hiker.  Climbing the mountain during the week helps cut down on the crowds that one faces.

Marc and I enjoyed a great day of hiking when we climbed the mountain.  Marc was dealing very well with the altitude despite being just 48 hours removed from his sea-level home in Rhode Island.  We made it up and down the mountain in good time, and made sure to stop in Idaho Springs for Beau Jo's Pizza on the way back to Denver.

Unfortunately, this was another climb on which I inexplicably did not have my camera!