I exited the east side of Leadville just as the sun was illuminating the western horizon during a late January day, drove up a snowy county road as far as possible, then parked a few miles downhill from Mount Sherman. I began hiking toward the mountain, looking for a trail that cut across its lower western slope. I spotted the trail, but in order to reach it, had to wade through hip deep snow. I vetoed that idea, knowing the mountain would likely still be there later this year when the snow melts away and gives access to the trail I desired. As a consolation prize, I drove north of Leadville to the old WWII Camp Hale, an army camp that trained soldiers to wage alpine warfare. I hiked across the flat valley that once housed 15,000 soldiers. It was brilliantly sunny, and warmed the still air as sun reflected off of fresh white snow. I reached a trail that spurred uphill, and I followed for several miles until reaching a thick forest. I wanted to stay in the warm sun, so I turned around at the forest and hiked back to my truck. Another great day in the mountains.
Google map location of Camp Hale.
