Silver Mountain, Michigan - I honed my mountain climbing skills on Silver Mountain. Silver Mountain is located approximately 20 miles West of Baraga, Michigan in Baraga County. (West on Highway M-38 approximately 11 miles until you see the Silver Mountain sign) Silver Mountain stands tall in the area at 1,312 feet above sea level. The picture shows the base of Silver Mountain. I guess it could be called Base Landing or if you camp there before your climb you could call it Base Camp. Before you jump the gun and get the idea that it looks like a very easy climb, I would like to warn you that as you proceed toward the summit you will find many areas lacking handrails and even steps! However, the climb is well worth the added challenge. The view from the summit is awesome. You can see the backwaters of Prickett Dam and an unforgetable view of the country side.
Pikes Peak, Colorado - I reached the 14,110 foot summit at 12:47 PM, Mountain Time, on October 21, 1999. My ascent had taken me through five separate life zones. The exhilarating feeling of accomplishment I experienced is impossible to put into words. I had accepted the challenge of Pikes Peak and won! Why did I climb the Mountain? Because it was there! (I have always wanted to say that) The panoramic view from the summit was absolutely breath taking. To the North I could see the countryside including Denver, Colorado and to the East the beauty of the Great Plains. The view to the South included the beautiful State of New Mexico and to the West, the unsurpassed beauty of the snow capped peaks of the great Continental Divide. It was absolutely beautiful. A large airplane flew alongside the mountain at the same altitude that I was at. I will never forget the experience. I was still on a Rocky Mountain High as I was driving my car back down the mountain, and I couldn't help but wonder if the 20,320 foot Mt. Mckinley would be next.
I will probably need a four wheel drive vehicle for that one.
