a whirlwind tour of Engineer Mountain

Britt and I had been planning to go backpacking this weekend, but work stuff started coming fast and furious for him, and he decided he really couldn't justify taking the whole weekend off. (This is what happens when you have your own business...) Instead we decided to climb Engineer Mountain, a local peak that is just under 13,000 ft; we've climbed it before, but it's pretty, and it's nearby, and there are awesome views from the top.



We've hiked maybe a half-dozen times up to the bench at treeline, but mostly we've gone during the height of summer wildflower season, and it was very different to see it, as in the photo above, all gone dry and brown. ( More story, more photos )

In fact, we made it home in time to take a shower and head out to the orchard of a friend of a friend's, north of Cortez, where we joined in an apple-picking and cider-making party. We now have a good haul of apples and pears, and three gallons of fresh cider - mmmm!

Eight photos on Flickr