Early morning heading for Handies Peak on US-550. This is a look at Silverton, CO coming in from the south.
Heading up the 4WD road towards Cinnamon Pass and getting a peak down at Animas Forks ghost town.
On the Cinnamon Pass road still west of the pass. Getting some beautiful views this morning.
Just before hitting Cinnamon Pass
A quick view of the Cinnamon Pass sign as we roll by in our jeep.
On the Handies Peak trail looking back at the end of the 4WD road and several cars parked.
Looking up into American Basin not far from the trailhead
Working our way up American Basin
Looking back down the American Basin trail on Handies
Continuing into American Basin getting ready to make the turn southeast into the upper end of the basin.
Following the trail into American Basin
Bright sun in the morning, looking at the southeast end of American Basin
Looking at the upcoming trail
The trail climbs deeper into the basin
Heading "around a corner" here just before the steep climb up the slope to Sloan Lake
Heading up the climb to Sloan Lake
Looking back down the trail we've just passed through
Watching as the trail now traverses back to the north
Looking back at the trail towards Sloan Lake
Looking at the false summit to the south of Handies and the upcoming trail
Looking at the trail as it traverses north out of the basin
On the switchbacks heading out of American Basin looking back down at the trail
Looking back at the trail
Looking at the slope leading up to Sloan Lake
From the saddle below the summit ridge of Handies
Looking up the final summit ridge of Handies from the saddle at 13,500
Getting ready to ascend the final stretch on Handies
Looking north from Handies summit to Wetterhorn and Uncompahgre
Uncompahgre Peak from Handies' summit
Wetterhorn Peak from Handies' summit
Redcloud Peak and Sunshine Peak from Handies' summit
My hiking group on the summit
Most likely Mt. Sneffels to the northwest from Handies' summit
Looking southeast off the summit of Handies
Looking from the summit of Handies
Hiking our way down Handies
Wildflowers in American Basin
Water and wildflowers in American Basin
Columbines found amongst the wildflowers in American Basin
Almost back to the parking lot on Handies
Stream-crossing on the 4WD trail to Handies
Heading west once more on the Cinnamon Pass road from Handies
Our rental jeep parked at Animas Forks. Saved us a lot of driving coming from Silverton to do Handies.
Handies Peak from the Redcloud trail along Silver Creek.
