Peak Name: Mount Axtell

Peak Height: 12,050'

Location: West Elk Mountains, Colorado

Route: Southwest Slopes

Trailhead: FR 730.1B (9500')

Difficulty: Class 2

Round Trip Stats: 7 mi, 2750 ft

Date Climbed: 9/24/2016

I love visiting the Kebler Pass area outside of Crested Butte when the aspens are peaking in the fall. This is perhaps the most famous leaf peeping destination in the state, and for very good reason. If you haven't yet, go see the West Elk gold for yourself!

An early season snowstorm plagued our trip this year, but we made the most of it by hiking Mount Axtell with a bottle of Apple Crown. Despite being only the third official day of fall, conditions above treeline were more reminiscent of winter. The contrast of the bright leaves against the new snow was delicious. Mount Axtell was my brother's first ever summit and I was very proud of him for sticking it out with his crazy sister!