Summer Recap

It’s honestly crazy how fast this summer flew by. It feels like I was just wrapping up my spring skiing season—and now, snowflakes are about to start flying once again. Instead of my usual monthly recaps, I’m putting together one big post for the entire summer. It was a whirlwind of travel, mountain time, and little adventures close to home, and I want to get it all down before fall fully takes over.

July

July started off pretty typically. My family was traveling to Norway over the 4th of July weekend, so I went solo camping at my usual spot—Sugarloaf Campground. It was a nice, quiet weekend with campfires, a bit of fly fishing, and a quick hike up West Bond (trip report here), which I had missed on a backpacking trip earlier in the season.

Not long after, I flew out to Colorado for my big summer adventure: working on knocking a few more 14ers off my list. This time, I decided to rent a Jeep so I could access some of the tougher trailheads and really make the most of my trip.

I spent most of my time in the San Juans, which are hands down one of the most spectacular mountain ranges in the state. On my list were Handies, Sneffels, and potentially Sunshine and Redcloud.

My first summit was Mount Sneffels. I drove the insanely rough Yankee Boy Basin Road and parked at the upper trailhead in pitch darkness, guided only by moonlight. I set off on the trail, and by the time the sun came up, I was the first person on the summit that day. The scenery was absolutely unforgettable. (Full trip report linked here.)

After a few days exploring the Silverton/Ouray area—soaking in the Million Dollar Highway views—I headed over to Lake City to meet up with my friend Lindsay. Together, we drove up the American Basin Road to the 4WD trailhead for Handies Peak, often called one of the easiest 14ers. The wildflowers on this hike were beyond anything I’ve ever seen—a true alpine super bloom. (Full trip report linked here.)

By this point, monsoon season had started rolling in, making the weather pretty unpredictable. Sunshine and Redcloud were out for this trip since they’re a longer day and felt risky with afternoon storms. But I did manage to catch a perfect early-morning weather window to climb Uncompahgre Peak. The alpenglow on the walls, the unique summit plateau—it was all stunning. (Full trip report linked here.)

Three 14ers in just a few days felt like an awesome accomplishment. After that, I drove up to Steamboat for some mountain biking and relaxation before heading back east.

Once I was home in New England, the rest of the month was filled with local adventures—despite the crazy wildfire smoke that lingered this summer. I squeezed in mountain biking in Gorham, fly fishing on the Peabody River, and plenty of the little moments that make summer here so special.

August

August felt like it went by even quicker. With its arrival, I found myself traveling back and forth through the White Mountains and into Maine. I hiked a few smaller trails in western Maine and was surprised to see how quickly fall foliage was starting to show—really early this year thanks to the drought.

I also spent a couple of days exploring Acadia National Park. For the past few years, my only time on the coast has been while shooting elopements, so it felt refreshing to just wander, relax, and enjoy it at my own pace. A highlight was finally getting to visit the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, which I absolutely loved.

Later in the month, my adventures were a bit of everything. I biked at Stratton to take advantage of one of my Ikon Pass mountain biking days, hiked up to Mount Isolation (trip report here), and spent plenty of time exploring in the van with Mojave. He’s come a long way since spring—back then he was a little hesitant about the van, but by the end of summer, he clearly recognized it as home and actually seemed to enjoy traveling with me.

To close out the month, I went camping in Evans Notch with my family—almost an annual tradition at this point. We hiked through the Caribou-Speckled Mountain Wilderness and biked the Presidential Rail Trail as the first leaves started to change. The days were cooler, the nights a little crisper, and fall was undeniably arriving fast.

September

As September rolled in, I headed back out to Colorado for a quick weekend trip—just enough time to squeeze in a couple more hikes before winter really settled in. I rented a Jeep again and based myself in Buena Vista in the heart of the Sawatch Range. I didn’t have a set list of peaks this time; I figured I’d see what the weather gave me.

The first day brought moody skies and fresh snow dusting the higher elevations, so instead of heading for a summit, I spent the day exploring shorter trails to alpine lakes and soaking up the fall foliage. The colors were already spectacular.

The next morning, a clear weather window lined up and I set out for Mount Princeton. With the Jeep, I was able to drive all the way up to the 4WD trailhead, cutting out a huge portion of the approach. The hike was short and steep, and by the time I reached the top, the summit was fully wintry—snow underfoot, icy winds, and sweeping views of the Collegiate Peaks glowing under a fresh coat of white. The aspens below were peaking in brilliant yellow, a perfect contrast.

The following day was another big outing. My friend Lindsay and one of her friends drove up from New Mexico, and together we tackled Mount Huron. Once again, thanks to high clearance, we started from the upper trailhead. The hike itself was gorgeous, with snowy switchbacks leading to another crisp alpine summit. Two snowy 14ers in as many days made the trip feel complete.

Back in New England, the rest of September was just as full. I wrapped up the month with a family camping trip at Sugarloaf Campground, where I ended up staying the entire week to soak in peak fall. Foliage came about two weeks early this year thanks to the drought, and the White Mountains were glowing. I biked at Noon Peak surrounded by color, hiked the Sugarloafs with my family, and even squeezed in a summit of Wildcat.

Mojave seemed to love the season too—chasing falling leaves around camp while I balanced my days between fly fishing, hiking, and simply enjoying autumn. It was the perfect way to close out the month, and really, to wrap up the summer as a whole.

Wrapping Up

Looking back, this summer was an absolute whirlwind—Colorado peaks, Maine coastlines, New Hampshire forests, and plenty of time with friends, family, and Mojave. Even with the smoky skies and unpredictable weather, I squeezed in so many moments that made the season feel alive.

And now? I can’t believe it’s already time to trade in trail runners for ski boots. Winter is knocking, and I’m ready.