I’ve yet to experience the degree of love that I had for my mother. As I approach another milestone, all I can think about is her. I daydream about how we would celebrate. Perhaps, a picnic by a creek or a trip to the zoo.

My mother is why I love nature and animals. I feel close to her in the mountains. She had a great laugh and smile. All she had to do was walk into a room, and it’d be like the sun was shining indoors. Everyone loved her.

When the weather’s a challenge, and I crave my mother’s presence, sometimes all it takes is a drive through the mountains to make my heart feel at ease. One of those drives was on Apex Valley Road near Black Hawk.

The first thing you should know about Apex is that you will need a four-wheel-drive vehicle with high clearance if you plan on heading toward James Peak. Some of the rocks you have to maneuver on and around are unforgiving. The road can be narrow, so prepare for anything if another vehicle approaches.

The day I went, there was not a cloud in the sky. It was summer, and the sun was at its highest. As I bumped around in my truck like a tourist on a mountain safari, I made several stops to take in the distant view of the peaks.

James Peak is roughly 700 feet shy of being a fourteener. The James Peak area is 17,015 acres. It became part of the wilderness preservation system in 2002. The peak was named after Edwin James. James was an American physician and the first botanist to describe Rocky Mountain plants.

Part of what made this drive extra magical is that the peak is adjacent to the Continental Divide on the eastern slope and has roommates well over 13,000 feet. Yes, I called the mountains roommates.

To hike the James Peak 8-mile trail, count on an average six-hour timeframe. Outdoor enthusiasts can bring their four-legged best friends but kept on a close leash. If you’re wondering if the drive is worth it, the answer is yes, especially if you can spend a few moments by one of the dozen lakes in the area.

When my mother passed, I convinced myself that her soul lived in the sun, which explains my unusual desire for sunny days. When the sun shines on my shoulders, it’s like having my mother at my side.

James Peak Wilderness is within Boulder, Gilpin, and Clear Creek counties. To learn more, visit https:// www.cmc.org/education-adventure/ trips/routes-places/james-peak-trail.