Tag: 13er

Whitecross  Mountain – 13,542

RT Length: 7.45 miles

Elevation Gain: 3288’

Once again, just like with Sundog, I was staying near the Cooper Creek trailhead, to both give me added miles and also more peace and quiet.  I waved to my neighbors camping across the way, but they didn’t seem up for conversation.  No worries:  I put together a trip report and made it an early night.  I was on the trail at 4:30am. 

I made it to the Redcloud/Sunshine trailhead before 5am, and once again, it was bustling with hikers getting ready for their day.  Surprisingly, none of them made their way over to Handies Peak. I turned right, and took the Grizzly Gulch trail up into the basin.

There was an information board, a bridge to cross, and a register to sign.

If you’re reading this, I’m assuming you’ve already hiked Handies Peak and know the approach.  If not, it’s an easy, well maintained, class 1 trail to the basin.

At around 11860’ of elevation, I turned and left the trail.  It was just over a runnel crossing, and before a section of willows.   I headed northwest, up to the ridge of Whitecross. 

Here’s my overall route. Please note, the actual summit is hidden.

And some step-by-step photos.  Initially, I skirted the willows to the right

Then I found a large boulder, and skirted it to the left.  (It was the only boulder in a sea of tundra, and difficult to miss).

In times without snow, I’d just aim for the ridge.  However, there was a cornice lining the ridge, so I stayed under the snow.  This worked well.

The tundra was steep.  On the way down I’d use microspikes for tractions, but none was needed on the way up.  I kept aiming for the rock outcropping, careful to skirt the messy areas.

Once again, in a year without snow, it would be prudent to take the dotted line.  Today, I took the solid line up a side gully.

I was aiming for these three spires

The gully was a mix of tundra and scree

When I got to the top I turned left, and realized this had been a false summit. The true summit is just a little bit to the northwest.

I cursed myself for leaving my ice axe in the car.  I put on my microspikes, lowered my trekking pole to the size of an ice axe, and hoped the snow was solid.  It was!  I was able to easily make my way across.  Here’s my route:

I was lucky the snow was in perfect conditions:  A fall wouldn’t have been fun.

Once past this area, it was a quick walk to the summit

I summited Whitecross at 7:15am

Whitecross:

From the summit you could see Handies Peak, and the ridge. It was starting to snow lightly, and remembering the last time I was in the area, and got caught I several storms while climbing Handies Peak, I decided to head back. 

Here’s my route off the summit

The area with snow was sketchier on the way down than it had been on the way up, as there was a bit of downclimbing and a trust move involved.  Luckily, the snow was the perfect consistency.  My main concern would have been to have fallen through/postholed, but that didn’t happen this early in the morning. 

And now to head back down the gully

I kept my microspikes on for this part, and all the way until I made it back to the trail.  It was pretty straightforward.  Here’s my route:

When I made it to the trail I took off my microspikes as it started to snow a little harder.  I followed the trail back to the trailhead

I made it back to the trailhead, and followed the road back to my truck.

I made it back to my camping spot at 9am, making this a 7.45 mile hike with 3288’ of elevation gain in 4.5 hours.

On to the next trailhead!

Sundog – 13,437

RT Length: 8.1 miles

Elevation Gain: 3219’

Normally you’d start this hike from the Silver Creek/Grizzly Gulch trailhead, the same one as used for Redcloud and Sunshine Peaks, but it’s Memorial Day weekend, and I knew that trailhead would be crowded.  Also, I’ve had porcupines visit me there in the middle of the night, interested in the wires underneath my truck.  Instead, I parked a little over half a mile further up the road, near Cooper Creek.  Not only did I have the site to myself, but I got to hear the creek rushing by as I slept. 

After an early night, I was still hesitant to get out of bed at 4:15am.  It took willpower, but I was on the trail by 4:30am.  As I passed the Silver Creek trailhead there were dozens of headlamps indicating busy activity.  I cruised by, and started up the trail.

At the top of the hill was a trail register I need of repair: The top isn’t fastened to the base.  As per usual, I didn’t see the register on the way in, as it was off to the side and didn’t have anything reflective indicating it was there. 

So, I didn’t sign the register, and instead followed the trail as it paralleled Silver Creek. The trail was very well maintained, with just a few downed trees here and there.

At around 11300’ of elevation, I left the trail to head down towards the creek.  I left the trail where an obvious, and massive, avalanche had occurred a few years earlier.  There was a faint trail closer to the creek.

My goal was to cross the creek and head up Sundog’s north ridge.  I crossed the creek near some willows, on a few logs that seemed to have been placed for just that purpose.  On my way in, and on my way out, these logs were coated in ice, which made the crossing interesting.

Safely across the creek, it was time to follow the ridge by heading south.  The ridge was easy to follow, but there was some initial avalanche debris to navigate. 

I noticed all the trees seemed to be leaning up, not down, which I thought was odd, until I looked behind me.  It was obvious a large avalanche had occurred on the opposite mountain, which crossed the creek, and knocked over trees several hundred feet up the ridge I was now on. 

I continued following the ridge to treeline.

Just before treeline I came to an outcropping, which I maneuvered by going to the right, staying at its base. 

Now at treeline, I continued to follow the ridge

As soon as the talus and scree started, it didn’t quit.  There were a lot of game trails all the way to the summit, none of which were consistent. 

Now is a good time to note the false summit

I followed the ridge to the summit. The ridge was straightforward, the only surprise coming at the end.

Just before the summit, I climbed up a class 2+ gully.  The rocks were loose, and microspikes helped.  I left behind my trekking pole and started climbing up.

At the top of the gully was more ridge (this is a false summit)

That led to the real summit

I summited Sundog at 7:15am

Sundog: 

And now to head back.  It was a nice day, but windy, so I didn’t stay too long on the summit.  I turned and headed back the way I’d came:

It was a long ridge!

The scree filled gully was easier to navigate on the way down

Then I followed the ridge to treeline

Once at treeline, I continued to follow the ridge, aiming for the avalanche runout, and Silver Creek below

I went left this time around the rock formation

And navigated the avalanche debris to the creek

I crossed the creek on the same logs, interested to find they were still covered in a layer of ice. 

I easily picked up the trail on the other side, and followed it back to the trailhead.

I then walked up the road to my truck, parked about half a mile away.  I made it back to my truck at 9:30am, making this a 8.1 mile hike with 3219’ of elevation gain in 5 hours.

Oh, and I found a stash of 8 track tapes near an old, abandoned mine. I wonder if they’re still good?

On to the next trailhead!

Grand Turk – 13,167, Sultan Mountain – 13368, Spencer Peak – 13,080

RT Length: 10.36

Elevation Gain: 3539’

I spent the night dispersed camping at the Molas Trailhead, because the views there are amazing.  Added bonus:  I was able to talk with trail runners who had been along the trail to the Vestal Basin, and learned (at least to the Beaver Ponds) it’s all melted out and there aren’t any new downed trees.

I woke up at 4:30 am and drove to the Little Molas Lake Trailhead.  The gate to the campground was still locked.

It was still ark when I started out.  I followed the road through the campground, staying right on the one- way loop.

After hiking along the road for 1 mile, when I saw this sign to my left, I headed north through the trees (I turned right)

I came to a low and large outcropping of boulders, and turned right again

I then followed the ridge northeast

I crossed a small creek, and continued heading northeast. 

There were game trails in the area, and I followed them when I could, but mostly, I kept heading northeast, towards a large creek (crossing a smaller one in the process).

As I was hiking, I could see the gully I’d eventually need to ascend.  I kept heading towards it.

I came to a larger creek, and crossed it on a snow bridge.  Then I stayed right and walked along a willow-lined plateau

Here’s the overall route

Once in the basin, I made my way toward the gully

Today the gully was dry where I ascended, I was even able to pick up a trail towards the top.

At the top of the gully the snow started, and I began heading northeast.

This is where I was headed, towards Spencer Peak

I gained the ridge, and picked up an obvious trail.  I followed that trail east. I could have just gone up and over Spencer Peak at that time, but I chose to follow the trail and summit Grand Turk first, by skirting the north side of Spencer.

Here’s a look at the rest of the route.  I did Grand Turk first, and then Sultan, but you could do it in reverse as well.

Here’s the route I took

And some closer images of the way to Grand Turk

I summited Grand Turk at 7:35am

Grand Turk: 

Now to head over to Sultan Mountain

I re-traced my steps west, following the ridge

And then followed the ridge all the way to Sultan Mountain. This was all class 2 and very straightforward.

I summited Sultan Mountain at 8:40am.  Check out those views!

There wasn’t any place to set my camera down on the snow to take a picture, so I took a selfie with my phone.

Sultan Mountain:

Now to turn and head back to Spencer Peak

Here’s the route I took (dotted line is the route I took in)

I retraced my steps, and then took the scree slope to the saddle

The scree slope had a well-defined trail, but it had been washed out in areas by sliding rock, so careful foot placement was a must.

Back on the saddle, I headed up Spencer Peak.

Just like the rest of the day, this was class 2

I summited Spencer Peak (unranked) at 9:30am

Spencer Peak:

Now to head back the way I came in.  I followed the obvious trail west to the saddle

To descend, I looked for this obvious rock formation

Then I stayed as high as I could so as not to need to regain elevation

It should be noted, by this time in the morning, the snow was complete slush.  Snowshoes wouldn’t have worked because the suncups were terrible.  I was reduced to wading through the slush, with my socks and shoes sopping by the time I made it to the other side.  I’m not sure gaiters would have helped.  I now headed back down the gully and into the basin

Now is a good time to get a look at Little Molas Lake.  That’s the direction you need to be headed to make it back to the dirt road, and the campground

Once at the far end of the basin I turned right, and headed southwest to cross the creek

And then continued heading southwest

Always heading towards Little Molas Lake

I eventually made it to the road, and followed that back to my truck

I made it back to my truck at 11:15pm, making this a 10.36 mile hike with 3539’ of elevation gain in 6 hours, 30 min.

On to the next trailhead!

Little Giant Peak – 13,417

RT Length: 9.03 miles

Elevation Gain: 3526’

From CR2 near Silverton I turned right on 52 (just about where the Mayflower Mill Mine is) and followed the road to 9950’.  I could have continued on to a campsite at 10900’, but at this time I didn’t know it was there.  I was glad I’d stopped at 9950’, because the road was narrow, and there weren’t any spots to turn around before the second site.  Also, that’s the farthest you can drive at this point (10900’) as there are downed trees and snow blocking the road to the Big Giant Mine. 

I made it to my campsite around noon, and didn’t see another person the entire time I was there.  Not one car/OHV drove by me, and no hikers either. 

I was parked near an abandoned aerial tramway, so I spent some time taking a look around.  Old mining stuff is cool.

It was the quietest night I’d ever spent dispersed camping:  I didn’t hear the wind rustle, or any animals make any noise until I got up at 4:30am.  I was on the trail soon after.  I started out following 52 south, then after .4 miles I turned left at a junction, and continued following the dirt road as it switchbacked up the hillside.

Moose scat.  There was tons of it, but none looked fresh.  I saw it around my campsite, and all along the road.  I passed the campsite at 10900’ after hiking for 1.5 miles.  This was the only place to park/turn around/pass another vehicle from where I parked my truck.  (There’s a fire ring behind the snow at this site).

Just after passing the campsite snow began to line the road, and I came across some downed trees.

After hiking for just under 2.5 miles I came to the Big Giant Mine.

I continued following the road into the Little Giant Basin.  The road was either dry, or covered in snow.

I saw more mining structures along the way.

Once in the basin, I was able to see a trail to my left.  However, due to the snow, there was no start to the trail.  So I put on my microspikes and aimed for the trail in the distance, which took me to a pass.

Once on the trail, there was snow in several sections, all passable in the morning with microspikes.  I aimed for the saddle.

At the saddle I turned right, and followed the trail southwest

The trail I was supposed to take around the side of the mountain was covered in more snow than I wanted to deal with, so I went up and over the ridge. 

When I made it to the top of the scree, I came to a rocky area. I decided to go up and over the rocks, which was an easy class 3 scramble, but when I got to the end, I was met with snow and terrain I couldn’t downclimb, so I had to backtrack.  Instead, go around the rock outcropping to the left.  I was met with snow, but it was traversable.

By staying left, and skirting the outcropping, I got a good view of the rest of the route to the summit, which included ‘choose your own adventure’ route finding.  I just kept aiming for the peak.

Towards the top I was met with snow.  I followed it to the summit.

I summited Little Giant Peak at 8:15am

Little Giant: 

The snow was quickly softening up, so I didn’t stay long. I re-traced my steps back to the saddle.

The snow was exceedingly soft behind the rock outcropping, even though it was not yet 9am. 

I made my way back toward the saddle, and followed the trail back into the basin

When the trail gave out, I aimed for the mine in the distance, where the road picked up again

I then followed the road back to my truck

I made it back to my truck at 10:15am, making this a 9.03 mile hike with 3526’ of elevation gain in 5 hours, 30 minutes.

On to the next trailhead!

Kendall Mountain – 13,353

RT Length:  6.19 miles

Elevation Gain: 2742’

Let me begin by saying Kendall Mountain was not my first intended peak of the day, so my stats and topo map are a little off.  I made it to the Kendall Gulch parking area the night before, and slept at 11460’. 

The next morning I rose late, and was on the trail after the sun had risen, at 6am.  The road was easy to follow, and clear of snow the first half of the way.

I was originally headed toward Kendall Peak; specifically, the gully

Here are some pictures of the way to the gully… I just followed the road to a mine

Once at the base, the route looked simple enough:  I just needed to get up the gully to the ridge, and take the ridge to the summit

I’m really embarrassed to say this, but I wasn’t able to get up the gully.  I made it about half way, and it became too steep.  This was worse than kitty litter over rocks.  It was talus that gave way to rockslides, and tiny pebbles over rock.  Even with microspikes on, I couldn’t get traction, and kept slipping and falling down.  It’s a lot steeper than it looks. I tried several different routes, but was unable to gain traction on any of them.  After my fourth or fifth attempt, I started thinking to myself – who wasn’t wearing a helmet – “This isn’t the way I want to die.”  While I might have been able to make it up (doubtful) going down was going to be worse.   I made the decision to come back in the winter and try this as a snow climb, which should provide more traction.  This was a difficult decision to make, but I knew it was the correct one.

So, I backtracked, and tackled Kendall Mountain.  I hiked back to a junction in the road, at 12.265’. 

From the junction, I headed up to PT 12660

From PT 12660 I turned right and followed the ridge northeast towards Kendall Mountain.

Here’s the route I took to the summit (solid line) and back down (dotted line).  You could go up the way I descended, but it would be steep. 

Here are some close-ups of the route to Kendall Mountain

The tundra gave way to small rocks toward the top

I summited Kendall Mountain at 9:20am

Kendall Mountain:

From the summit, when I looked southwest I could see my truck (circled)

I aimed for it, and the road below.  It’s important to head southwest, because the terrain cliffs out if you head directly south or southeast.  This was steep, but it was easy to gain traction.

I made it back to the road, and followed it to my truck.

Here’s a topo map of the haphazard route I took. 

Wild Wanderer: Soloing Colorado’s 200 Highest Peaks

I know I’ve been silent for a few months, and I want to thank those of you who reached out to me asking how I was doing.  Yes, I was still summiting peaks, but I was summiting repeat peaks, so I wouldn’t need to write up trip reports.  Instead, I was spending my writing time… writing a book!  I’m proud to say I’m officially a published author!!!  I’m not going to promote the book for a couple of weeks, as I’d like some friends to read it and post reviews first.  It takes 10 positive reviews to counter each negative one, so if you enjoy my book, please post a positive review on Amazon.  If you notice a spelling error (etc.) please let me know:  I can still fix it before the big launch.  Please go easy on me: I’m more of a blogger than a writer.  Thank you all for your continued support!  Don’t buy the hard cover. 

You can purchase the book here on Amazon.

Menos Alto – 13,028

RT Length: 11.91 miles

Elevation Gain: 5143’

The San Isabel Creek Trailhead has a camping spot directly at the trailhead.  I parked a few yards away I a pullout, and was on the trail by 5:15am (after taking a 20 minute nap:  I was really tired this morning).

The San Isabel Trail (858) starts at the northeast side of the parking area (side note:  the trail register could use a pencil)

I followed the San Isabel Trail as it headed northeast. 

I crossed the creek quite a few times.  Creek crossing shoes weren’t necessary, but in the early morning there was a layer of ice on the logs and rocks, calling for some careful footwork.  In the afternoon the crossings were easy.

As I hiked, I came across a thin layer of snow on the ground, that eventually became a couple of inches deep.  There had been a 20% chance of snow forecasted the night before, and into the afternoon today. 

I hiked along the San Isabel Trail for just over 4 miles.  At 10,440’ I left the trail when I saw this (what used to be a) sign on my right for Trail 881.

Here I turned left, crossed San Isabel Creek, and headed up the drainage.  Here’s where I was headed.  As you can see, the ridge cliffs out to the left and right, so it’s important to stick to the drainage.

There were a lot of aspen trees here.  Since it’s almost winter there weren’t any leaves on the trees.  I’m guessing this is a completely different hike with leaves on the trees.  Today it was easy to stay in the drainage and hike up to the ridge.  I put on microspikes, as the snow wasn’t that deep and the leaf-snow combination was slippery.

I made it to the ridge and turned right, following the ridge north.  The actual summit is to the right.

The snow was intermittent as I was hiking.  The clouds would clear a bit, and then race back in, swirling the snow around and adding to it.  Luckily, following the ridge was easy.  I headed towards the pine trees

Once past the pine trees the tundra turned rocky.  I took this part carefully, as the thin layer of snow made the loose rocks slippery.  This is steeper than it looks, but class 2.

It’s also a false summit (but you already knew that: I didn’t at the time).  Here’s the actual summit

I just followed the ridge and its ups and downs.  The route was simple, but the wind and snow today gave it some spice.  Here are some pictures of the ridge hike

It was now time to head east and lose some elevation (not much, about 75 feet or so) and then gain the summit

The last bit to the summit was rocky.  There was a large cairn at the summit with 2 summit registers. It was windy and cold, so I didn’t open them.

I summited Menos Alto at 10am.  The clouds obstructed the views, but we need the snow!

Menos Alto:

When I started out on this hike snow hadn’t been anticipated.  I’d planned on linking up a few other peaks (13060 and 13062) but it didn’t look like the weather was going to let up.  I didn’t have a good visual of the conditions, and pictures wouldn’t have much context in a trip report:  I’d have to come back for those peaks another day.  I turned and re-traced my steps back down the ridge.

Here’s an overall view of the path I took from the ridge back to treeline.  I descended exactly the way I ascended, to avoid cliffing out on the rocks.  This was easy, as I just followed my tracks in the snow.

When it came time to descend, there wasn’t much of a visual.  Just before entering the trees I noted where the trail was below me, and aimed southeast, following the drainage towards San Isabel Creek and the trail I knew was just beyond.

Here are some pictures of my way back down the drainage

I re-crossed San Isabel Creek, and headed towards the trail. I found the old wooden sign, turned right, and followed the trail 4 miles back to the trailhead.

There were still a ton of creek crossings. 

Eventually the snow on the ground gave way to dirt, but it continued snowing until I made it back to the trailhead.  Cutting this hike short had been a good idea.

I made it back to my truck at 1:15pm, making tis an 11.91 mile hike with 5143’ of elevation gain in 8 hours.

PT 13374

RT Length:  19.77 miles

Elevation Gain: 5178’

I’ve spent the past week in Florida for work, so I was a little worried about breathing above treeline today.  I made it to the Harvard Lakes trailhead easily, as there wasn’t any snow on the ground (and it’s December!).  I parked and was on the trail at 5am.  I was following the Colorado Trail north.

The first 7 miles of this trail follows the Colorado Trail.  The Colorado Trail is an easy to follow, class 1 trail.  It started with a few switchbacks, and then followed the curve of the mountainside north.

After hiking for 3 miles I came to Harvard Lakes.  They were both frozen and looked neat in the dark.  Later in the day I saw people walking across both lakes.  They didn’t seem frozen enough for that to be safe.

There were several, easily crossable stream crossings along the trail

After hiking for 6 miles I briefly lost about 250’ of elevation, which led me to a trail junction.

The junction was between the Frenchman Creek Trail (Harvard Trail on a topo map) and the Colorado Trail.  I continued along the Colorado Trail

I crossed Frenchman Creek.  There were no tracks in the snow past this point, but there wasn’t much snow to begin with.  It didn’t look like anyone had been on this part of the trail in a while.

I quickly came to an area with several camping spots at 11150’.  I’d been hiking for a total of 7.15 miles.

Here I left the trail and headed northwest to the ridge.

I bushwhacked to treeline.  This was easy as far as bushwhacking goes, as there weren’t too many downed trees and the trees weren’t jumbled close together.

At treeline I could see the ridge, and headed towards it

I skirted the ridge a little to the left

Once on the ridge I followed it west

I came to a rocky, cairned area, and could see the route before me to PT 13374. 

I crossed the rocky area, and followed the tundra to PT 13374, easily avoiding the snow

Here are some pictures of the final push to the summit

I summited PT 13374 at 8:45am

PT 13374:

There was a summit register (in a tube).  It was such a nice day I opened it and signed the register.  I then turned and retraced my steps back to the ridge.

I then followed the ridge back to treeline

At treeline I aimed southeast and bushwhacked it back to the Colorado Trail

There’s surprisingly little snow for this time of year, but it’s still cold outside.  There were several areas of frozen water below treeline that looked really cool.

I made it back to the Colorado Trail, and followed it for 7 miles south, back to the trailhead

I made it back to my truck at 2pm, making this a 19.77 mile hike with 5178’ of elevation gain in 9 hours.  Today seemed almost too easy:  the gradual elevation gain made the miles fly by.

Eagle Peak – 13,205

RT: 12.14 miles

Elevation Gain: 4691’

I knew it was supposed to be windy today, but the past few weeks the wind hasn’t materialized in the Sangres as predicted, so I decided to take a chance. I arrived at the Duckett Creek Trailhead, the only vehicle there. 

I actually started out taking the Rainbow Trail, which is located at the north end of the parking area.

The Rainbow Trail is wide enough to fit an ATV, and it looks like a lot of people take advantage of this.  There weren’t any footprints on this part of the trail, but there were a lot of tire tracks.  I lost a little elevation here, but nothing too dramatic.  I followed the Rainbow Trail northeast, as it passed through a burn area and crossed South Lake Creek Drainage (which was half frozen).

There was a nice bridge over North Lake Creek

After hiking for 1.35 miles, I came to a junction with 4WD road 198.  I turned left, and started following FDR 198.

I followed this road as it crossed a section of North Lake Creek, skirted the Balman Reservoir, and passed several nice dispersed camping sites.

I hiked 2.9 miles from the trailhead to 9800’ of elevation, and a curve in the road.  This is where I left 198 and bushwhacked to treeline. 

It was just under 2 miles and 2000’ of elevation gain to treeline from where I left the road.  The trek was interesting without any visuals:  the pine trees obstructed any view.  I was however, able to hear the wind.  I followed the ridge proper southwest

Just before treeline I got a glimpse of Eagle Peak, before heading into the trees again

At this point, I came across what kind of looked like a trail, but it fizzled out

Once at treeline, you’ll be tempted to cut through the trees and head straight for the ridge. 

Today, the area with trees had snow, so I skirted the trees to the right on tundra. I’d recommend this, as there weren’t any obstacles.

The hike towards the peak is obvious, and completed on 90% tundra.  The slope angle is low:  This would have been an easy summit, if it weren’t for today’s wind.

Tundra stopped at rocks.  I just went directly up the face.  This is a false summit.

Today this was tricky to navigate, as the wind was intense:  it never stopped.  I’m guessing there were sustained winds of 35mph, which are tolerable, but the unexpected gusts of 50+mph made things tricky.  I’d have to lean into the wind to remain upright as the winds were a constant 35mph, but every once in a while a gust came from the opposite direction and knocked me back (or pushed me forward).  It was added fun when this happened on the rocks that rolled and I skipped a few steps with my feet and flailed my arms in the air to regain balance, hoping not to fall.  I sat and laughed more than once as I waited for a gust to pass after falling down. Also, during one of the cross-directional gusts I hit my knee (again) on a rock in the same place for the third time this week.  I jumped up and down to relieve the pain and made up a few words in the process. 

Back to the rocks.  These are microwave size, and some roll, especially the smaller ones. Choose your own adventure.

At the top of the rock pile you can see the rest of the route to the summit

I just followed the ridge to the summit, hunkering down when the gusts of wind came.  This ridge is class 2

I summited Eagle Peak at 8:45am.  Yes, this is the best picture I got:  the wind kept knocking over my DSLR camera, and it was cold, so I didn’t make many attempts. I didn’t even attempt to take off my backpack for the photo:  I figured if the wind could knock me down while wearing my pack, I’d most likely lose my pack if I took it off.  I could picture it tumbling in the wind down the side of the mountain.  I probably wouldn’t stay standing long without my pack either.

Eagle Peak:

I didn’t stay long at the summit, as I wanted to get out of that wind asap.   This was an out and back hike, so I re-traced my steps back over the ridge

More ridge pictures:

Following the ridge back to treeline was easy.  I aimed for the tundra to the left of the bristlecone pine trees.

Here’s a quick video of the wind near treeline, once it started to die down.  I wish I’d captured a video of the wind gusts, but they weren’t predictable.

Wind: 

The hardest part of this hike was navigating back down the ridge, because I didn’t have any visuals.  I relied heavily on my compass, heading northeast back towards the road

I made it back to the 4WD road, and took it back to the Rainbow Trail

I then took the Rainbow Trail back to the Duckett Creek Trailhead

I made it back to my truck at 12pm, making this a 12.14 mile hike with 4691’ of elevation gain in 7.5 hours.

And now, to drive home and wake up my daughter.  She’s home on college break, and will most likely still be sleeping at 2pm when I get home.  Since it’s just the two of us this year, we decided to have an early Thanksgiving dinner so we can have all week to eat the leftovers before we leave.  

PT 13159

RT Length:  12.1 miles

Elevation Gain:  4530’

I just love the local herd of bighorn sheep in this area!  I’ve seen them a few times, usually up at Willow Lake. It’s neat watching the babies get bigger. They greeted me this time on my way to the Willow Lake trailhead.

The trailhead was deserted for a Friday afternoon.  I sat back, ate some peanut butter off a spoon, sipped some whiskey, and jotted down notes from the day. The bathrooms were still open, clean, and stocked.

Before making it an early night I pre-signed the trail register, red a bit, and headed to bed.  I’m so darn comfortable sleeping in the bed of my truck, it’s difficult to get up and out in the morning.  Oh, and I ‘installed’ new lights, if anyone’s interested:

The South Crestone trail starts from the same area as the Willow Lake trail.

The trails quickly diverge, and I followed the South Crestone trail, heading northeast.

The South Crestone trail (860) is a class 1 trail that will lead you all the way to South Crestone Lake, without any junctions. 

After hiking for 1.6 miles I passed an old log cabin, and started switchbacking up the hillside.

At the top of the swithcbacks the waterfalls started.  They were located alongside the trail, but didn’t impede the actual trail.  Since it was cold this morning, the ice never got a chance to melt (these pictures were taken on my return).

I came to a meadow, and then switchbacked up to the lake

I always know I’m close to the lake when I see the “no camping or livestock within 300 feet of lake” sign.

After hiking for just over 5 miles, I made it to South Crestone Lake

I’d gone too far, but on purpose:  I’d wanted to see the lake.  About 5 yards before the lake, there’s a post near the trail.  I’m sure it was informational at some point, but now it’s just a post (and difficult to miss).

At this post I turned left, leaving the trail.  From here on out, it was a class 2 hike.

As soon as you leave the trees, you have a great visual of the rest of the hike

Here’s the route I took to the summit of PT 13153

First, I ascended this rocky/willowy/tundra filled gully.  Note the rock circled, as it will be your visual cue when you exit. 

At the top of the gully, I stayed on the tundra, avoiding the rock outcroppings both above and below. But was unable to avoid the willows. I just aimed diagonally for the first pile of rocks on the ridge I could see.  There’s no reason to try to ascend directly to the ridge; just keep aiming northeast.

Staying on the tundra will help to avoid rock-hopping

Once on the ridge, it was a simple hike to the summit

I summited PT 13153 at 8:45am.  It was cold.

PT 13153: 

There were some great views of the Crestones

There was a summit register, but it was too cold for me to attempt to open it.  Have I mentioned it was cold and windy? I wanted to get down off the ridge asap. 

Here’s an overview of the route back to the lake.  Remember, just aim for that big rock that signals your decent down the gully

Here are some pictures of the way back to that large rock

Once at the large rock, I descended back down to the lake

This brought me to the class 1, South Crestone Trail, which I followed back to the trailhead

I was really surprised at all the witch’s hair I saw on the trees.  It’s completely taken over in some parts.  In the dark I’d thought the green were pine needles: Not so.

As I rounded the corner, just before descending down the switchbacks to the cabin, a herd of bighorn sheep darted across my path, kicking up dust and thundering down the hillside.  They were too quick for a good picture, but I was 100% sure it was the same herd I’d seen yesterday, and last time I was at Willow Lake (we’ve bonded).  I’ll add this to my growing list of wildlife ‘butt’ shots. 

Here are some more pictures of the trail back to the trailhead

I made it back to my truck at 11:30am, making this a 12.1 mile hike with 4530’ of elevation gain in 6 hours, 30 minutes.

Today had been much easier than anticipated.  I was done earlier than expected, which was great!  Now to head home; my daughter comes back from college for Thanksgiving break tonight, and I want to have her favorite dinner ready for her when she arrives!