MELANIE HIGHLINE AKA NANCY'S GRASSY PEAK

This is the annual Moxie Betty Capan memorial hike.  A rock cairn with her name is located at the 12,296' summit. This hike was dedicated to her because it was one of her favorites due to the abundant wildflowers.  The 4 mile round trip trail is difficult, all above treelike and offers interesting terrain including grassy animal trails, gullies, hills and basins. Expansive Views of the surrounding peaks are seen during the entire hike.

                                                                                                                                    Betty Capen Memorial Cairn on Nancy's Grassy Peak

TODAY MARY PEIL'S TWIN SISTER, CARRIE,  MADE AN APPEARANCE DURING THE HIKE. MARY IS THE TALLER OF THE TWO AND VERY NICE. HER TWIN IS THE SHORTER ONE AND VERY WICKED. WE WERE GLAD THAT CARRIE DID NOT TO HIKE THE ENTIRE DAY WITH US.  (OKAY YOU ALL SHOULD KNOW BY NOW THIS IS A TALL TAIL. KYLA INTRODUCED US TO PANO PHOTOGRAPHY THAT ALLOWED ALL OF US TO BE IN THE PHOTO. THANKS FOR THE PHOTO TIP KYLA!!!

Moxies head out on Melanie Highline hike

Gina does the jig with Angel's new hiking stick

One of our newest Moxies: Kyla

Kings Crown were abundant

Views of the San Juans

Views of San Juan Mountains

There are small ponds along the route.

Reflection in small pond

Another pond with a view of the San Juan Mountains

Hiking up to Nancy's Grassy Peak

Nancy Ottman near the summit.

Debbie and Kyla at the summit

View near the summit

Moxie lunch stop at the summit

Lunch stop at the summit. Jane Marie shelters Bella from the sun with her umbrella (Photo by Gina Kaufman)

Betty Capen Rock at the summit

The tradition is to wear pink as it was Betty's favorite color.

Heading down from the summit

Another Moxie group shot at the summit

Parts of the trail look like a moonscape

Streams and Mountain views

Hiking the low route back to the trailhead

Moxies crossing one of the many gullies

Angela, don't be poking Gina with your new stick

Angela and Gina head through the flower filled meadow

The Nice taller twin, Mary hiking past the kings crown

Mary Anne falls to the ground to get the perfect shot

Spence AKA Marianne Pearlman crossing the upper snowfield

My favorite sky pilots near Browns Gulch Road

Kyla and Debbie