Dege Peak — Monday, Sep. 1, 2025

I started my hike around 6am with a thin veil of haze in the air and large plumes of smoke to the south. Anyone know what fire that is? The mission today was drive on state road 123 before it closes for a month and hit a couple hikes. I started out at Sunrise Point, a first for me for Dege Peak. It didn't occur to me that the elevation gain would be in a much shorter distance. This approach is short and sweet and packs a punch. The trail is goreous with a couple exposed (eroded) sections that might be too much for someone with a fear of heights or boys like mine when they were little...not chill. I heard the bugle of elk, which seems early in the season. Is it? Probably just wishful thinking that we'll actually get a nice hearty winter this year. This is one of my favorite hikes and I think I'll have to add Sunrise Point trailhead as one of my adventures each year.