An Astronomer Hikes Pt. 13500
This is my hike of Pt. 13500 off of Independence Pass. This video has a little bit of deviation; in my other videos the first and last photo are of the mountain attempted or summited. Pt. 13500 is not really visible from the Independence Pass parking lot, and as such the bookend photos are of Mt. Elbert as seen from the summit.
This is a really nice hike, and good one for novice hikers. Independence Pass has an elevation of just over 12,100 ft, and the summit is 13,500, so the elevation gain is about 1,400 ft, but the trail isn't much more than a mile and a half. It means quite a bit of elevation gain in a short distance, but it is not grueling and if you take your time and pause for breaks if necessary, it is definitely doable in a fairly short amount of time, and gives really nice views of the Sawatch and Elks ranges.
This summit had a very unique experience. At the summit, the registry that could be signed was replaced with a wedding registry. A couple was married in the summer of '22 in a very small ceremony, and put their registry at the summit for folks to sign and leave a note. They had come back to check it about three times when I signed it if memory serves.
Twinning Peak is 13,632 (approximately) and is the tallest peak on the ridge that starts from the trail at Independence Pass and passes through Pt. 13,500. It would add about 3 miles round-trip to the hike, but it is fairly accessible.
Notable peaks visible from Pt. 13,500 are Elbert, LaPlata, Grizzly A, Ouray Peak, French Peak, and Casco Peak (I'm sure there are others for those more knowledgeable than myself.)
Music is original. Enjoy!
