HANDIES PEAK, elevation of 14,058', is the 41st highest peak in Colorado and is located in the San Juan Mountains. From the American Basin Trailhead, it is 5.5 miles roundtrip to the summit with an elevation gain of 2500'. We enjoyed beautiful weather, fall colors and 360 degree views. This was Gina's first time standing on a 14er. Tim, Angela, Jane Marie, Bella, Zarita and I were happy to celebrate her accomplishment. Gina brought carrot cake for the celebration.
 
              
              
                
                  
                  tune into channel 4.1 for the Handies Summit Hike
                      
                     
              
              
                
                  
                  SLOAN LAKE
                      
                     
              
              
                
                  
                  Angela, Tim, Gina & Jane Marie with Handies Peak above
                      
                     
              
              
                
                  
                  Jane Marie with Sloan Lake 
                      
                     
              
              
                
                  
                  Gina heading up Handies Peak
                      
                     
              
              
                
                  
                  Handies is the far Peak
                      
                     
              
              
                
                  
                  Looking back at Sloan Lake
                      
                     
              
              
                
                  
                  Handies Peak Trail
                      
                     
              
              
                
                  
                  Gina gets the shot!!
                      
                     
              
              
                
                  
                  Gina takes in the views and some oxygen
                      
                     
              
              
                
                  
                  Trail to the summit
                      
                     
              
              
                
                  
                  Gina makes the final push to the summit
                      
                     
              
              
                
                  
                  The 360 degree views were incredible
                      
                     
              
              
                
                  
                  Handies summit view
                      
                     
              
              
                
                  
                  View from Handies Summit
                      
                     
              
              
                
                  
                  Sloan Lake from Summit
                      
                     
              
              
                
                  
                  Handies Summit
                      
                     
              
              
                
                  
                  Gina, Jane Marie, Bella, Angela & Tim
                      
                     
              
              
                
                  
                  Jane Marie on Handies Summit
                      
                     
              
              
                
                  
                  Angela on summit. I wonder what was so funny??
                      
                     
              
              
                
                  
                  Fall colors from Handies Summit
                      
                     
              
              
                
                  
                  It's time to head down.
                      
                     
              
              
                
                  
                  Another view of Sloan Lake
                      
                     
              
              
                
                  
                  Tim, Angela & Gina 
                      
                     
              
              
                
                  
                  Looking down at the trail
                      
                     
              
              
                
                  
                  View of the trail going up
                      
                     
              
              
                
                  
                  Tim & Angela on trail near Sloan Lake
                      
                     
              
              
                
                  
                  Trail up to the summit
                      
                     
              
              
                
                  
                  View of the trail
                      
                     
              
              
                
                  
                  Handies Peak Trail
                      
                     
              
              
                
                  
                  Bella our fearless leader
                      
                     
              
              
                
                  
                  Ptarmigan 
                      
                     
              
              
                
                  
                  American Basin Trailhead
                      
                     
              
              
                
                  
                  Bella successfully summited a 14er.
                      
                     
              
              
                
                  
                  Jane Marie, Gina, Julie, Angela & Tim
                      
                     
              
              
                
                  
                  Zarita scouts the area
                      
                     
              
              
                
                  
                  American Basin
                      
                     
              
              
                
                  
                  Gina breaks out the carrot cake
                      
                     
              
              
                
                  
                  Angela: Gator Girl
                      
                     
              
              
                
                  
                  Zarita 
                      
                     
              
              
                
                  
                  True Gator Fans: Tim & Angela
                      
                     
              
              
                
                  
                  Rock Chalk Jayhawk!!!! Good Luck Gators
                      
                     
        
        
      
           
        
        
      
           
        
        
      
           
        
        
      
           
        
        
      
           
        
        
      
           
        
        
      
           
        
        
      
           
        
        
      
           
        
        
      
           
        
        
      
           
        
        
      
           
        
        
      
           
        
        
      
           
        
        
      
           
        
        
      
           
        
        
      
           
        
        
      
           
        
        
      
           
        
        
      
           
        
        
      
           
        
        
      
           
        
        
      
           
        
        
      
           
        
        
      
           
        
        
      
           
        
        
      
           
        
        
      
           
        
        
      
           
        
        
      
           
        
        
      
           
        
        
      
           
        
        
      
           
        
        
      
           
        
        
      
           
        
        
      
           
        
        
      
           
        
        
      
           
        
        
      
           
        
        
      
           
        
        
      
          