Quandary Peak

Dist: 3.11 mi	Points: 348	Calories: none
Time: none	Speed: 0.0 mph	Pace: 0:00 / mi

Ascending the spine

Location: 39.395241°, -106.098839°
Andrew Matranga shortens his trekking poles and picks his way through the crumbly path. ©Jesse Ryan

Blue Lakes

Location: 39.390202°, -106.074989°
This forested lake-and-creek basin on Quandary's south slope get shady relief during the early morning. ©Jesse Ryan

Cairn over the river

Location: 39.394520°, -106.085938°
A sentinel trail marker has a perfect view over the Middle Fork South Platte River, Hoosier Ridge, and Mount Silverheels--a local 13er worth bagging. ©Jesse Ryan

Cairns

Location: 39.395241°, -106.097504°
Andrew Matranga stomps through a scree field. Follow these large rock stacks to stay on course. ©Jesse Ryan

Cirque du Rocky

Location: 39.397346°, -106.105522°
The Rocky Mountains stretch from the northern and southern boundary. From the summit, peer over the long basins to the west of the Great Divide. ©Jesse Ryans

Endless ridge

Location: 39.394569°, -106.093956°
It just keeps going, and going, and going.... ©Jesse Ryan

False Summit

Location: 39.395187°, -106.092056°
Andy Parker picks his way over the first hump on the long ascent. ©Jesse Ryan

Final push

Location: 39.397552°, -106.104752°
Blocky scree and snow litter the final hundred yards. ©Jesse Ryan

From the top

Location: 39.397346°, -106.105629°
Andrew Matranga and Andy Parker soak in the full-circle panoramas on the summit. ©Jesse Ryan

Grass and rock

Location: 39.394981°, -106.089172°
View north while climbing past lush, green hills. ©Jesse Ryan

High Above Blue Lakes

Location: 39.395752°, -106.101669°
The view east over the Monte Cristo Creek drainage and anvil-shaped Blue Lake. ©Jesse Ryan

Layer time

Location: 39.393440°, -106.084648°
Heading to the thin air, hikers add a layer to combat swirling winds. ©Jesse Ryan

Loose slopes

Location: 39.394520°, -106.088509°
During the climb, traverse along a slim section where the views turn vertigo. ©Jesse Ryan

North over Summit County

Location: 39.391640°, -106.078690°
As you climb, savor sweeping vistas over the peaks and valleys of the Central Rockies. ©Jesse Ryan

North over the Tenmile Range

Location: 39.397141°, -106.102745°
The views nearing the summit are endless. ©Jesse Ryan

QPK001

Location: 39.384865°, -106.061684°
From the Monte Cristo trailhead, head N through thick conifer stands

QPK002

Location: 39.385315°, -106.061852°
Bear R @ sign, heading N

QPK003

Location: 39.387566°, -106.062897°
Keep R @ Y; trail curves to the NW

QPK004

Location: 39.388233°, -106.064301°
Pass a trail sign and continue moderate ascent to the NW

QPK005

Location: 39.391048°, -106.067719°
Trail winds briefly to the N, then curves W; look to the S for views over the Continental Divide

QPK006

Location: 39.390884°, -106.073318°
Cross short bridge where views open up along Quandary's long E ridge

QPK007

Location: 39.391884°, -106.079964°
Ascend ridge on dense scree-covered slopes

QPK008

Location: 39.392818°, -106.082634°
Trail juts to the N, then swings to the W

QPK009

Location: 39.394917°, -106.090584°
Reach small saddle and continue heading W toward the summit; bear down for steep grade ahead

QPK010

Location: 39.397034°, -106.103569°
Follow stacked cairns to the W through littered rock piles

QPK011

Location: 39.397282°, -106.106300°
Quandary Peak (14,265 ft.): Telescopic views over Blue Lakes and the Tenmile Range. Check out the deep, glacier-capped cirques below Fletcher Mtn. to the W and the toothy ridge connecting Wheeler Mtn. to the SW, where the Continental Divide curves S; retrace steps to trailhead

Rocky Slope

Location: 39.390560°, -106.076736°
©Jesse Ryan

Scree-laced ridge spine

Location: 39.395546°, -106.100281°
The view down Quandary's east slop, where hikers (just tiny specks) ascend into the high-alpine

Shadowy ridge and Quandary

Location: 39.389790°, -106.067223°
Hikers pause in the shade before the exposed, treeless section of the climb. ©Jesse Ryan

Sky Pilots

Location: 39.396576°, -106.101822°
Radiant, lavender wildflowers that thrive in high-altitude conditions. ©Jesse Ryan

Snowy Circques

Location: 39.397606°, -106.106194°
From the summit, you'll peer straight into the broad, snowy basin above McCullough Gulch. Pacific Peak hangs in the center of the frame. ©Andrew Matranga

Solitary path

Location: 39.395035°, -106.098022°
Andrew Matranga continues the slog up Quandary's east slope. ©Jesse Ryan

Starting out

Location: 39.386909°, -106.062393°
Andrew Matranga and Andy Parker begin the sustained ridgewalk up Quandary's east slope. ©Jesse Ryan

Steady ascent

Location: 39.391331°, -106.070465°
Andy Parker continues the climb. ©Jesse Ryan

Steep ridges

Location: 39.396217°, -106.101616°
The view south to the ridgeline of North Star Mountain. ©Jesse Ryan

Sunlit slopes

Location: 39.394726°, -106.090721°
Late morning sun kisses the peak and valleys outside of Breckenridge. ©Jesse Ryan

View across Monte Cristo Creek

Location: 39.392052°, -106.081467°
Glancing south over the drainage to North Star Mountain. ©Jesse Ryan