Saturday, February 11, 2012

Palomar & Pops

It's been two years since I climbed Palomar. I'm not quite sure how I made it so long without ending up on top of the mountain with my bicycle, but somehow I did. The mountain is never easy to climb, but I always love it.

Heading toward the base of the climb.

My Pops is training for St. George IM. I convinced him to climb with me today - two weeks in a row for him. The fact that I can drag my Dad up Palomar with me on any given day makes me happy.

One of the things I love about the climb is how much the scenery & weather changes over the course of 5,000 ft. elevation gain.

Looking down on the valley.

Headed into the fog-cloud.

Beautiful.

Several years ago the mountain burned. Some dead trees remain and provide a stark contrast through the fog.

At the top.

It wasn't my fastest time up the mountain, but it's also February. And seriously - any time I can reach a summit with hot drinks and a warm room to sit in while looking out at the misty fog roll by, it's a good day.