Chicoma Mountain

There is a large triangular peak along the mountains we can see to the west from our house.  Chicoma Mountain is the highest peak along the edge of the Caldera and I wanted to go.

This should be easy, as there is nominally a trail to the top.  Trail reports indicated there was some significant windfall, so we weren't sure what to expect -- so we loaded the nominal trail into the GPS and headed up to scout.

Another fine day in the mountains!

Evidence of past elk in the region.

We did eventually hit the deadfall.  We fought our way through the maze of downed trees across the thicket of wild roses (wearing shorts, no less!) until the wind picked up and it seemed like a bad idea to be there under the creaking trees that were only sort of still standing.  So, alas, we turned back, still a few hundred feet short of the summit.

On the way down, we enjoyed seeing the mountain dandelions and butterflies.

I am not deterred -- we Must Go Back.  After I look at the satellite images of the area to pick a route, since the "trail" is now gone, and on a day without wind.