Quick picture of Gothic Mountain before we left. To get to the top, we followed the trail descriptions in this website, which we found to be accurate and useful.
Unknown red mountain.
Gothic Mountain, here we come!
This may be the coolest flowering species I have ever seen - Elephantella (Pedicularis groenlandica). The flowers totally look like elephants!
Another lousewort species - Bracted Lousewort (P. bracteosa)
Gothic Mountain, here we come!
Along the way, we saw some new and interesting flora.
This may be the coolest flowering species I have ever seen - Elephantella (Pedicularis groenlandica). The flowers totally look like elephants!
Another lousewort species - Bracted Lousewort (P. bracteosa)
First fungus I have seen in Colorado.
Osmia sp. visiting Silvery Lupine (Lupinus argenteus).
Moss campion (Silene acaulis), which is also found in Ivvavik National Park.
Initially, I thought these are alpino S. acaulis, but I now believe they are either Alpine Phlox (Phlox condensata) or Many-flowered Phlox (P. multiflora).
Purple Fringe (Phacelia sericea)
On our way up the mountain, we kept smelling this skunky odour and thought a skunk was climbing this mountain too. But we now believe the smell comes from the Sky Pilots (Polemonium viscosum) we have seen along the way. According to the field guide I am using, "these plants are infamous for their pungent skunky odor, [and] careful research demonstrates that the fragrance of populations varies with elevation and is sweeter the higher you go."
West side of Gothic Mountain
South side
East side
Looking back down
Purple Fringe (Phacelia sericea)
On our way up the mountain, we kept smelling this skunky odour and thought a skunk was climbing this mountain too. But we now believe the smell comes from the Sky Pilots (Polemonium viscosum) we have seen along the way. According to the field guide I am using, "these plants are infamous for their pungent skunky odor, [and] careful research demonstrates that the fragrance of populations varies with elevation and is sweeter the higher you go."
There were a few false peaks along the way to the actual peak, but the views were nice nonetheless.
West side of Gothic Mountain
South side
East side
Looking back down
This is a east-facing saddle/bowl on the mountain.
After more than two hours of hiking, we were finally there!
GPS coordinates.
Panoramic view from Gothic Mountain (3,850 m) of the west side (because the sun was still shining from the east). To see the larger image, click here.
View of Crested Butte (the town), Mt. Crested Butte, and road that leads to Gothic (town).
Panoramic view from Gothic Mountain (3,850 m) of the west side (because the sun was still shining from the east). To see the larger image, click here.
View of Crested Butte (the town), Mt. Crested Butte, and road that leads to Gothic (town).
Mt. Crested Butte
View of Gothic and RMBL below.
I can see our cabin!
After a quick snack and many photos, we slowly headed back down before clouds start to gather above us.
View of Gothic and RMBL below.
I can see our cabin!
After a quick snack and many photos, we slowly headed back down before clouds start to gather above us.
After hiking up and down for 5 hours and 20 minutes, we drove to Emerald Lake to have a late lunch.
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