Every step I took back down to the trailhead brought a little more sadness…I can't believe this challenge is over! What started with an IG scroll took me to 6 new and exciting summits that I had never set foot on before. What an amazing time!

I hiked with a buddy again today and the time we shared on this beautiful trail, full of changing leaves, gorgeous giant juniper trees and beautiful ponderosa pines was exactly what this soul needed!

Another windy day with a wintery mix that hit us about 2 miles in did not stop the absolute wonder of this hike! I've read reviews on Elden before, and people have really knocked it quite hard. Yes it is close to a main road, yes there is traffic noise…but also, the contrast of rock slabs, pine and aspens is absolutely breath taking! Especially when the colors are popping!

The clouds / low fog line and swirling winds created beautiful intricate dances between small wisps of clouds. Again, we hit the trailhead early – just after 6:30am – so there was no one else out on the trail with us. The fog and weather created a mysterious, eerie, yet beautiful setting.

Winds up top were roaring – not quite as bad as atop Humphrey's yesterday – but still enough that we didn't really hang around up top for too long!

All in all a great challenge. I am thankful I came across this, and will look forward to participating in more!