3 "Failed" Hikes: The Joy is in the Journey
Outdoor Element
3 “Failed” Hikes, 1 Pair of Shorts, 1 Pair of Shoes, and a Reminder About What Actually Matters - The Joy Is in the Journey
by Mike Mojica, Outdoor Element Founder
There’s a pair of shoes and a pair of shorts that quietly became part of three adventures I technically “failed.”
No summit photos.
No dramatic victory pose.
No “mission accomplished.”
And I’m okay with that.
Why Failed Hikes Still Matter
Because somewhere between frozen waterfalls, missed permits, sore knees, and helping teenagers catch their breath above tree line, I realized some of my favorite outdoor memories have come from the hikes that didn’t go according to plan.
The outdoors has a way of humbling you like that.
You head out focused on reaching the destination, but along the trail, you find something better. Good conversations. Shared struggle. Unexpected laughs. Moments you remember long after the trip is over.
I realized something important: the outdoors rewards more than just the people who reach the destination. Sometimes the greatest reward is simply being willing to go.
This blog is about preparation, expectations, adapting when things don’t go according to plan, and learning that joy isn't only at the summit.
It exists in the journey.
Hiking Quandary Peak: Lessons Above Tree Line
Hiking Quandary Peak (14,265 ft) takes real preparation.
We’re talking parking reservations, shuttle systems, weather planning, hydration, and altitude acclimation. Every bit of it takes time beforehand, and all of it matters.
The East Ridge route is considered one of Colorado’s more approachable 14ers, but “approachable” doesn’t mean easy. You’re still gaining around 3,450 feet of elevation over nearly 7 miles.
I was hiking with a youth group and a few adults. Like most teenage groups, the hike started with high energy, trash talk, and confidence levels somewhere between Olympic athlete and caffeinated squirrel.
Then we crossed the tree line.
The mountain got real.
Breathing got harder.
Stops became more frequent. Legs got heavy. Spirits dipped.
I’ve climbed over 20 fourteeners, and one technique still works every time:
Count 50 or 100 steps.
Pause.
Drink water.
Catch your breath.
Repeat.
If you’re new to hiking at altitude, think of it like smoking pork shoulder: low and slow. Keep moving and stay hydrated.
I had packed extra water and extra meals because I wanted to celebrate at the summit with the group. I brought OSO Meals' Pozole for everyone because, frankly, it’s incredible trail food. (Pro tip: add slightly less water than the instructions say and let it sit longer than recommended. Trust.)
But somewhere higher on the ridge, one of the boys started struggling hard.
Knee pain. Fatigue. Discouragement.
As we stopped, I could see something bigger than sore knees happening.
He was comparing himself to everyone else.
The faster hikers were ahead. The summit still looked far away. His head dropped.
So I sat next to him and asked him to look down the mountain.
“Where are the trees?” I asked.
He pointed below us.
I told him something I hope he remembers forever:
“You beat the trees.”
Nature had spent thousands of years growing those trees to that elevation, and he had climbed higher than all of them.
That mattered.
I asked if he’d ever hiked this high before.
“No.”
Then guess what? He just set a personal record. That’s a win.
Comparison is dangerous. Compare yourself to others long enough, and you usually end up with one of two things: pride or depression. Neither helps you grow.
I took out my self-adhesive bandage wrap and supported his knee. (I take this with me on every adventure.)
The outdoors has taught me over and over that simple preparation matters.
This bandage wrap is the same stuff I used on my first 14er summit when I met a young lady who went up for a sunrise summit. She was hobbling down after a rolled ankle. She was relieved that I asked her to sit down and allow me to extend a helping hand. You can learn more about that story here.
Back to Quandary Peak.
We turned around. No summit. No victory photo.
But on the side of that mountain, a young man learned he was capable of more than he thought.
That’s not failure.
That’s the outdoors doing what the outdoors does best. Lesson learned.
Sky Pond Trail and the Adventure We Didn't Expect
Sky Pond in Rocky Mountain National Park is one of those hikes that makes you feel small in the best possible way.
Alpine lakes. Waterfalls. Jagged granite peaks. Thin mountain air. The kind of scenery that reminds you that creation is far bigger than your phone screen.
It’s also a hike that requires preparation. Timed-entry permits, early starts, layers, traction gear, trekking poles, and weather awareness.
Our first attempt failed before we even started.
We arrived in Estes Park, excited and ready to go, only to realize permits were required and we didn’t have one.
Classic.
But instead of getting frustrated, we pivoted.
We explored simpler trails.
And we got to enjoy some OSO Meals in a beautiful mountain meadow.
We watched a herd of moose wander through camp at the local KOA in Estes Park. It’s this great, affordable place with an epic gear shop, Estes Park Mountain Shop, across the street.
Moose on the loose at Estes Park KOA. Careful! They're cute but can be aggressive.
I was also introduced to Blackstone Grills. Had to get one of those for myself! I discovered my buddy was a camp chef. That’s a huge win!
Somewhere in the middle of all that, I realized something: If you can learn to roll with the punches of the great outdoors, you still win.
Months later, another friend invited us back to conquer Sky Pond.
Redemption.
This time, no permit required due to the time of the year. Let’s go!
What we didn’t fully account for was October mountain weather.
It started cool.
Then snow rolled in.
If you’ve spent enough time outdoors, you learn quickly that mountains don’t care about your plans.
By the time we reached Timberline Falls, the waterfall wasn’t falling anymore.
It was frozen solid. A complete wall of ice.
Normally, hikers scramble beside the waterfall to continue toward Sky Pond. But with no microspikes, no crampons, and no trekking poles, continuing would’ve been irresponsible.
So we turned around.
Again.
And honestly? It was awesome.
We laughed. Took epic family photos.
Ate together. My kids threw rocks onto frozen ponds and balanced across logs like tiny mountain goats.
We also used that same self-adhesive bandaging to support some tired ankles.
Did we reach Sky Pond?
Nope.
Did we fail?
Only if the destination is the only thing that gives life meaning.
If joy exists in shared moments, cold fingers, snow-covered memories, and simply being together outdoors… then we succeeded completely.
The Hiking Gear That Earned My Trust
Now let’s talk about the common denominator across all three adventures.
In addition to using a positive attitude at every altitude, I made sure to dress ready for the trail and carry essentials for hiking.
(BTW - links for the shoes, shorts, meals and other gear are not affiliate links. I genuinely love these products and wanted to share them with you.)
The Shoes: Merrell SpeedARC Matis
I genuinely didn’t expect to love these shoes as much as I do.
Most rocky hikes leave my feet absolutely wrecked after 10+ miles.
Not these. These things feel like someone strapped spring-loaded rock plates to my feet. They’re comfortable, responsive, and surprisingly protective.
Would I run a 50-mile ultra in them? Probably not.
Will I hike my next five 14ers in them? Absolutely.
I call them my “rock hoppers.”
They handled rocky terrain, alpine mud, snow, and long miles incredibly well. Sometimes gear earns your trust quietly over time, and these did exactly that.
The Shorts: KÜHL Renegade Outsider Shorts
These shorts are ridiculous in all the right ways. The first time I put them on, I immediately thought: “I need to conquer a mountain in these.” Then I mountain biked in them.
Then hiked in them.
Then basically refused to wear anything else outdoors.
They’re durable without feeling stiff. Comfortable without feeling sloppy. And whoever designed the pocket layout deserves a high five.
That side phone pocket? Perfect.
The waistband somehow flexes when you move, but still stays secure. I don’t know how they pulled it off, but they did.
Remember Frozone in The Incredibles yelling, “Where’s my super suit?” …then he finally gets it on and gets to work. That’s the feeling you will experience when you slide into these Renegade Shorts.
These are adventure shorts. The zipper pockets on my thighs make me want to drop my passport in there so I can travel the world. I’m organized, comfortable, and ready to zip through Rim to Rim or conquer Mt. Rainier. They will give you that kind of confidence that makes you feel prepared for whatever the day throws at you.
Mountain trail? Camp setup? Airport sprint? Unexpected detour? Random alpine snowstorm? Covered.
The Gear We Trust on Every Hike
Gear shown above:
Back row, L to R:
- PNWBushcraft Cedar Bucket Bag with outside pockets
- lightweight pot
- Ultralight Mini Camp Stove
- firebiner™
- handled™
Front row, L to R:
First-Aid Kit Must-Haves for Hikers:
- My Medic's Hiker Med Pack
- ActiSplint
- Medic Multi Tool
- gearbiners™
- self-adhesive bandage
- scout feather™ adventure knife
- Wazoo's Spark Necklace
- Tuff Possum bag
Why Preparation Matters Outdoors
The moral of this story is two-fold.
Preparation matters.
Dress ready for the trail.
Check permits.
Pack food.
Carry first aid.
Know the weather.
Take water seriously.
Preparation is respect for nature, for your family, and for the people you adventure with.
But here’s the other lesson:
Not every adventure ends with a summit.
Finding Joy in the Journey
Sometimes weather changes.
Sometimes your body says no.
Sometimes life redirects you.
And that’s okay.
Because the outdoors was never only about conquering destinations.
It’s about becoming the kind of person willing to take the journey.
Some of my favorite memories happened on hikes I didn’t finish.
And honestly, that feels a lot like life, too.
Want the skinny on these trails? I got you:
Hiking Quandary Peak (14,265 feet):
It really does require advanced planning, as parking is restricted. The East Ridge is the standard route, featuring about 3,450 feet of elevation gain over 6.75 miles round-trip. The hike takes an average of 6 hours, and starting by dawn is highly recommended to avoid dangerous afternoon thunderstorms.
You will not get lost, I promise. Unless you are doing it at a very odd time of the year, there will be other hikers on the trail. (Sidenote: A few years ago, I also hiked this same trail on New Year's Day, completely snow-packed and awesome – fun times glissading down a mountain.)
Because of high visitation, Summit County enforces strict parking regulations. There is zero tolerance for parking on McCullough Gulch Road, Blue Lakes Road, or Highway 9; violators will face heavy fines.
Summer Requirements (Mid-June to Mid-September): You must have a parking reservation to park at the Quandary Peak Trailhead, or you must use the Breckenridge shuttle.
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Parking Reservations: Available on the Hike Quandary booking platform. Costs range from $30 - $55 for a full day (5 am – 3 pm), depending on peak vs. non-peak days. Parking after 3 pm is free and first-come, first-served.
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Quandary Shuttle: Operates daily from 5 am to 5 pm. Tickets cost roughly $7 and depart from the South Gondola Parking Structure in Breckenridge. Reservations are strongly recommended over walk-ups.
Winter/Off-Season: Parking reservations are not required outside of the summer season. The trailhead lot is first-come, first-served.
As a youth group, we hiked the East Ridge, a non-technical Class 1 trail that makes it one of the most popular introductory 14ers in Colorado.
It’s always a great idea to check the Alltrials app to check conditions and recommended routes.
Sky Pond Trail
The Sky Pond Trail in Rocky Mountain National Park is a 9 to 9.5-mile round-trip hike featuring alpine lakes, waterfalls, and a thrilling scramble up Timberline Falls. Starting from the Glacier Gorge or Bear Lake trailheads, this full-day trek gains about 1,780 feet of elevation, topping out at 10,900 feet. I bet we got to 10,500 feet…we were so close!
Trail Breakdown & Highlights
Start: Begin at the Glacier Gorge Trailhead (9,240 ft). Parking is extremely limited here, so it is highly recommended to park at the Park & Ride and take the free park shuttle, or start at the nearby Bear Lake Trailhead (which adds about a quarter-mile to your trip). You will need a day pass to enter the park and a permit to hike this trail.
Mile 0.9: You will reach the beautiful Alberta Falls.
Mile 2.8: The trail levels out briefly at The Loch (also known as Loch Vale), a pristine alpine lake that serves as a popular turnaround point for less experienced hikers…but you got this! Keep going.
Mile 4.0: You will reach Timberline Falls. To continue, you must perform a Class 3 or Class 4 rock scramble up the side of the rushing waterfall. The wet rocks can be slick, so take your time and use handholds. Again, if it's September or later, bring micro spikes, just in case.
Mile 4.5: After the scramble, you will pass the stunning Lake of Glass.
Mile 4.7 (Destination): A short, rugged rock-hop past the Lake of Glass brings you to Sky Pond, a breathtaking alpine lake framed by jagged granite peaks like the Sharkstooth and Taylor Peak.
How to Prepare & What to Bring
Timed Entry Permits: Access to the Bear Lake Road corridor requires a specific Bear Lake Road timed-entry permit (or an "all-park" permit that includes Bear Lake), which can be purchased on Recreation.gov. You will also need a standard RMNP park pass.
Start Early: Start your hike at sunrise (or before 6:00 AM) to secure parking and beat afternoon thunderstorms, which are common and dangerous above the tree line.
Footwear & Microspikes: Wear sturdy, waterproof hiking boots. Even in early summer, snowfields may be present. Packing microspikes and trekking poles is highly recommended for icy or steep, snowy patches.
Acclimatization: Because the trail peaks near 10,900 feet, ensure you are properly acclimated to the altitude to prevent altitude sickness. Pack plenty of water, high-energy snacks, and layers (including a rain shell). Luckily, the family all brought a layer of Cotopaxi jackets, and it worked out fine. Light warm layers are always solid advice.
As I write this, I notice that I keep making the same typo, "trial" when I mean to type "trail". But maybe that's not an error at all.
Trails are full of trials, both on the mountain and in life.
That's how we learn, grow, and discover who we are.
So hit the trails. Face the trials head-on, well-equipped and ready to pivot. And you, too, will find joy in the journey.
See you on the trails!
-Mike
What “failed” adventure ended up becoming one of your favorite memories?
