Uncompahgre Peak, located in the San Juan Mountains of Colorado, is a beautiful and challenging class 2+ climb. Standing at an elevation of 14,309 feet, it is the 6th highest summit in the state.

As you begin your hike, you'll be greeted by cascading streams and a plethora of beautiful wildflowers. The trail takes you through a variety of terrain, from rocky outcroppings to lush meadows, making for a fun and diverse hike.

As you make your way up the peak, the views become more and more stunning with each step. The panoramic vistas from the summit are truly breathtaking, offering a bird's eye view of the surrounding mountains and valleys.

Uncompahgre Peak is a must-do hike for any experienced climber looking for a challenging climb and some of the most beautiful views in Colorado. The hike will take about 8-10 hours round trip, depending on your pace and fitness level, but the memories and the stunning panoramic views will last a lifetime. Pack plenty of water, snacks, and sunscreen, and don't forget your camera to capture the beauty of this climb.

Uncompahgre Peak - Having the Courage to Climb My First Mountain - 6.16.20

Aren't you scared? There's no way you want to go by yourself, right? What will you do if something bad happens?

But what if I don't go? Will the pain of regret weigh more heavily than the risk of the adventure that awaits me? Life goes by so fast. So it's time to find my inner power and do this on my own. I need to do this. Even if it's just to prove to myself that I can.

It really does no good and is a waste of time worrying about the "what if's" in life. I know this to be true, but still sometimes worry and doubt creeps in. That's when I remind myself to push it aside because the adventure awaits. And I believe in my ability to figure it out, whatever it may be. The mountains are calling and here I come!

"We must not worry what could go wrong but rather wonder what magnificence could enter our lives when we are consistently expressing our genuine selves and pursuing our true passions" Brendon Burchard

I had this crazy idea about two years ago, that perhaps one day I could climb a mountain. And that idea grew over time into a dream I had to fulfill.

After driving all day, I found a great campsite at the bottom of the 4WD road and slept in my car under the stars the night before the hike. I could hear the rushing waters of Nellie Creek just below as I drifted off to sleep. Just before dawn, I woke up and began getting ready for the day.

There’s nothing more rejuvenating than an early morning hike. I feel at peace in the beauty of solitude when I am out in nature, feeling so small, surrounded by such majestic mountains. My senses become amplified: hearing the sounds of the birds singing, the cracking of tree branches swaying in the wind, and the movement of wildlife rustling beneath the trees off in the distance. At times, I stop to close my eyes and take a deep breath of the forest’s earthy, pine fragrance. I wish I could bottle this particular scent to recreate these memories later on.

I brought my water shoes so I could slip them on at each of the creek crossings. That way, my shoes and socks stayed dry. It was after I crossed the second creek that the light began to grow as the sun rose up over the mountains. Somehow, it seemed to magnify the beauty of the woods and the flowers growing along the way.

The higher I climbed, the more windier it became, sometimes blowing so hard, it almost knocked me off balance. However, the views also grew more spectacular. It wasn’t before long that I could see mountains miles and miles away. The path along the basin seemed rather long, and drawn out. Yet I didn't mind that much, because the views were just breathtaking. I continued up the switchbacks until I reached the crest of the ridge.

Then I reached the route's crux, 150 feet of steep, loose rock leading to the upper slopes. Here I had to make every step intentional, careful not to slip. At times, I was climbing on all fours.

This was true mountain climbing!    

I couldn’t believe that I was almost there!

As I took my last steps toward the summit, I knew that I had surely accomplished something extraordinary.

The views at the top were spectacular, but it was not just being there that made it special, but the getting there. The challenge truly lies in the journey of going up and down the mountain. That's where you struggle, learn, and gain experience.

Once you reach the summit, you are only halfway because you still need to go down the mountain. I think going up is the hardest part, but going down is definitely the most dangerous because you've already reached your goal and can become less focused.

In our daily lives, we also have summits. Important days or events. But it's what we learn in between our summits that actually teach us the most. It's the experience and the struggle we have to go through to get to those "life" summits where we become better. It's important to find joy in the daily challenges because it's overcoming those struggles that really make us who we are.

As I was leaving the summit, out of nowhere came a fighter jet. I was shaken to the core by the time I heard the thunder of its roar. I felt the force of this jet go through my whole body.

Just then, a second fighter jet flew by on the other side of the peak. This felt like a once in a lifetime experience. It scared me at first, which quickly turned into excitement, driving new life into me as I descended the mountain. I looked up and waved as they passed wondering if they might see me down below.

When I signed myself out at the trailhead box, I came to the realization that I had just accomplished something huge. I had climbed my first mountain!

I hadn’t even thought about climbing Uncompahgre Peak until just a few weeks ago. I recall thinking, what if I tried to climb this mountain too? And it wasn’t until then that it became part of my ambitions. I had no idea that this would be the first mountain I would summit in my life.

By spending several hours alone with my thoughts, I had plenty of time to reflect on this journey and life. Here are some of my thoughts:

I realized I would never climb any mountain if I did not try. Failure only exists when you don’t try and you give up. Often we are afraid to take action because we fear that we will fail. But that’s not what failure is. Failure is not trying. If you try, even if you don’t succeed in reaching your goal, it’s part of the learning process, of going on the journey, part of the adventure, and really discovering what you are truly made of.

The regret of not trying would have weighed more heavily on me 

than failing to summit any mountain.

I want to live a full life so in my final moments, I leave this life empty with nothing more to give. It’s important to follow your dreams knowing you are living the life you are meant to live.