A friend of mine wanted to do a sunrise hike up to Devil's Head Fire Tower Outlook west of Castle Rock, CO. So we did. We camped over night near the trailhead so we wouldn't have to get up quite so early and drive down there. While getting the fire going and dinner started the sunset was becoming quite picturesque.
Soon after dinner we all (three of us) headed to bed to try to get some sleep before that annoying alarm clock sound would go off. The wind was howling all through the night. I think if we weren't in the tent, the tent would have blown away.
Finally, it was time to get up. I don't remember exactly what time it was but around 4am. We had to hike a couple of miles to the top and didn't want to run up the mountain.
When I got out of the tent the stars were breathtaking. I had to go take a picture while the other two took the tent down.
Can you see Orion?
After heading up the trail a ways, we started noticing light dawning on the horizon. I think at that point we were just over half way. I got a quick picture and then we picked up speed trying not to miss what we came on this hike for.
The last 1/2 mile or so I was almost sprinting. I wasn't sure we were going to make it up to the fire tower in time. That last hurdle I had to overcome was 143 steps to the fire tower. I literally ran the whole way up, snapped some quick pictures and then almost passed out. It was worth it though.
Pikes Peak
Photo Credit: Katherine Brownlow
Devil's Head Fire Tower
The hike was worth it. I'm glad I went.
