My Colorado: King of the mountain

By Russell J. Shroyer

Since moving to Colorado, I have enjoyed all the different activities our state has to offer. But most of all, I like hiking the 14,000-foot mountains, called fourteeners. Though I have only hiked about half of them, every fourteener has left me with a vivid memory.

One particular memory stands out: the hike up Mount Quandary where my friend Bob and I had our encounter with "the King"—Elvis Presley.

The hike up Quandary is considered relatively easy and, sure enough, we made it to the top in about three hours. That's where the strange events started.

At the peak, there are crossed skis in memorial to a person who died climbing this mountain. Bob and I sat on some rocks just west of those skis to eat our lunch. As we were eating, we heard faint noises. Looking west to the next peak, we could just make out a person in dark clothing, waving and shouting, "How do you get over to there?"

Bob shouted back, "I don't know. We came up the east trail."

We continued eating lunch for another five minutes when, from the direction we had last seen this person, there he was, walking up the slope. It was impossible that he could have made it to the summit in such a short time.

However, what was strangest was his appearance. He was wearing a black one-piece jumpsuit, black hair combed back and up, long sideburns and rose-colored sunglasses.

He looked just like Elvis!

The visitor did not say a word. He sat on a rock a few yards away, zipped open a jumpsuit chest pocket, pulled out a sandwich and started eating. Bob and I could smell the peanut butter. We didn't know what to do—we were stunned.

A noise from the main trail made us turn to look. Two guys were walking up. We watched them a while, then looked back to Elvis. He was gone!

Bob and I jumped up, ran over to the rock where he had been sitting and looked over the edge of the mountain. He was nowhere to be seen. We asked the guys who had just arrived if they had seen anybody else. They said no. That's our story and we are sticking to it—so be ready for anything when you climb a fourteener.

Your Turn

Do you have a special memory or humorous story about life in Colorado? EnCompass is looking for original essays that capture the uniqueness of our state. Payment is $60 upon publication. Entries must be typed and 350-450 words. Please include a daytime phone number. Entries will not be returned. Email essays to editor@colorado.aaa.com, or mail to: EnCompass, Attn: My Colorado, 4100 E. Arkansas Ave., Denver, CO 80222.