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Redcloud Peak & Sunshine Peak
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We started our 2011 14er season with a bang! We were camped at Dome Lakes area for 4th of July and decided to head over to Lake City on the 1st to hike Redcloud and Sunshine peaks. The standard route is to go up Redcloud, hike over to Sunshine, then back to Redcloud and down the standard trail. We followed the standard route up Redcloud and over to Sunshine, but we decided to descend Sunshine's Northwest slope and make a loop back to the car. As always, we camped at the trailhead the night before, woke up early and started hiking at 5:30am. Trek and Brisco went along and we all had a great time! We didn't pass anybody on the trail and the only 2 people we saw were about an hour behind us the entire time. We had both summits to ourselves and had beautiful Colorado sunshine all day!
 Lindsey headed up the valley |
 The trail leads up into the bowl |
 There were lots of beautiful wildflowers! |
 Up the first set of switchbacks and Redcloud becomes visible |
 The trail leads up the ridge |
 Brisco and Trek waiting for us |
 Lindsey & pups with Uncompaghre and Wetterhorn in the back |
 Travis leading the way |
 The summit of Redcloud is close! |
 Sunshine Peak from the summit of Redcloud |
 Family picture on Redcloud |
 Trek enjoying the view |
 Brisco ready to head over to Sunshine |
 It’s 1.5 miles between peaks |
 Brisco showing where not to go |
 Getting closer to Sunshine |
 Trek on the edge |
 Travis almost to Sunshine’s summit |
 Lindsey on the final pitch to the summit |
 Family picture on Sunshine! |
 Looking back at the trail to Redcloud |
 We took the fast way down the snow |
 We came down the chute with the arrow! |
 One last look at the northwest route off Sunshine |
 Travis and the pups soaking in the beauty |
 Almost back to the trailhead |
 The GPS route for our hike |
 Final Elevation Profile |