Handies Peak (14,048 feet), San Juan Range, Colorado

Via American Basin and Southwest Slope

Rank in Colorado: 40

Trailhead Elevation: 11,600 feet; Elevation Gain: 2,500 feet; 5.3 miles round trip

July 10, 2006

71Approaching the summit	72Alpine Sunflowers	73Alpine Sunflowers	74Alpine Sunflowers	75Summit is near
76Looking back	77Future climb	78On top of Handies Peak	79On top of Handies Peak	80This is my 13th Fourteener
81On top of Handies Peak	82On top of Handies Peak	83On top of Handies Peak	84Vistas from the summit	85Vistas from the summit
86Summit	87On top of Handies Peak	88Our next goal is visible	89Close-up of Uncompahgre	90close-up of Wetterhorn
91Vistas	92Vistas	93Vistas	94Vistas	95Vistas
96Vistas	97Sky-Pilots on the summit	98Sky-Pilots on the summit	99A nap on the summit	100GPS beta on top
101Clouds and vistas	102Legendary vistas from Handies	103Sloan Lake below	104Back on alpine meadow	105Clouds
106Rain is on its way	107Stormy sky	108Colors	109Colors	110On route to Sloan Lake
111Sloan Lake	112Sloan Lake	113By the lake	114By the lake	115Handies Peak
116Melting snow	117Looking ahead	118Colors and stormy sky	119Stormy sky	120Descending
121Marmot	122The trail	123Checkerspot Butterfly	124Bistorts	125The creek
126The creek	127Back in American Basin	128Alpine meadow	129Mountain Bluebells	130Field of Colorado Columbines
131Colorado Columbines	132Looking down at trailhead	133Rain is near	134Rain approaching alpine meadows	135Back at trail register
136GPS profile of the hike