TBT: Purple and Augusta Hike (Sept 2012)
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This post is part of a Throwback Thursday series featuring trip reports that we haven’t had a chance to write about until now! Look for them at least every other Thursday!
In mid-September, my friend Susan and I began a project to hike the Ruby Traverse. But, we decided to do it in sections. So, we began our first section by climbing Purple Mountain and Augusta Peak. We set up a shuttle, leaving a car at Slate River for the descent.
Susan and I began our Purple and Augusta hike from Paradise Divide, hiking toward Yule Pass and then gaining the ridge toward Purple. Susan.
Treasure and Treasury. If you look close, Yule Lake pops out to the left on Treasure.
Ascending toward the summit.
Susan enjoying the summit of Purple.
A view of Augusta and Mineral, and the ridge we needed to follow, as seen from Purple.
Looking toward the spectacularly colorful Blob and Nipple.
Looking down valley toward Marcellina and the upper portions of the Dark Canyon.
An interesting note from the summit registry.
Susan.
After spending awhile on the top of Purple, we began descending the south ridge. The descent was a bit technical in a few places. Here, Susan is route-finding.
From the ridge, looking back at Purple.
The talus was full of fossils like this.
Taking a quick rest on the ridge. Me.
Another view of the colorful Nipple and Blob.
About half way to Augusta, the ridge became a lot easier. Looking at the remaining ridge.
Looking back toward Purple.
Susan approaching Augusta.
Looking south at the remaining Ruby Traverse, toward Richmond, Hancock, Oh-Be-Joyful, Afley, Purple Peak, Owen, and Ruby.
Purple, and the ridge we followed, as seen from the summit of Augusta.
After Augusta, we followed the ridge a little longer before descending through Angel Pass and into Poverty Gulch.
A beautiful alpine lake at the foot of Mineral Point.
Susan on the road descending through Poverty Gulch.
It was fun get off the beaten path and to explore the northern end of the Ruby Traverse during our Purple and Augusta Hike. Many thanks to Susan for providing the motivation for us to seek out new terrain!
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