Route Climbed: Northwest Ridge Date Climbed: July 10, 2005
Had to sit out an afternoon storm during this one...even though it was to be expected. Witnessed the most beautiful sunset and alpenglow on the way down. Worth the fear experienced when lightening struck nearby as we were just above treeline.
Route Climbed: NW Ridge Date Climbed: Sept 12, 2004
This hike has some of the best scenery Colorado has to offer. The aspens were arrayed in a golden robe. A jagged peak rises above the end of the valley the trail follows early on. The view of Ellingwood ridge was also great. And they we saw some Mtn. Goats in the distance. The weather was less than ideal, and I considered turning back, but my friend who has been on many 14ers, convinced me to summit. Due to a lack of acclimatization, this hike was actually more difficult for me than Longs Peak.
Route Climbed: northwest ridge + ski descent of north face Date Climbed: 7/9/2005
left around 4:45am with partner fritzsperry, the hike was great and it is constant climbing. we reached the summit and meet alot of great people. around noon we skied the north face and bushwhacked out. long day, back at the car around 4pm. snow was great, 2-4" inch of slush on nice firm base. in some of the couloirs we even hit really firm almost ice. lots of snow still out there.
Route Climbed: Northwest Ridge Date Climbed: June 28, 2005
This was a more challenging hike than I had expected. The view of Ellingwood Ridge from the ridge crest was impressive, but the scramble through the rocks up to the summit was long and tiring. Crossing the raging South Fork Lake Creek on the metal and wood bridge was also interesting. Thanks to CFI for a great trail on the lower sections.
Route Climbed: Northwest Ridge Date Climbed: 6/26/2005
First mountain of the year. Number 11 14er. Tougher than I expected. My legs were out of shape and felt like spaghetti. Glad I made it ....Praise the Lord!! (Sean, Jordan, Matt)
Route Climbed: Southwest Ridge Date Climbed: June 18, 2005
What a fantastic day to climb! There were no more than a few puny (non-rain) clouds in the sky at any given time, the visibility was unbelievable, winds manageable, and the trail/snow very stable (although I'd have to say the bog is much easier to negotiate in the early AM when still frozen). The lower (12,800') saddle would appear to be a better route than continuing NNE, although the scree slope below the saddle has some pretty significant erosion from foot traffic.
Route Climbed: Northwest Ridge Date Climbed: June 11, 2005
what a great day! Snow for the last 700 feet or so made things more exciting and it definitely did not feel like summer yet. Glissading down the mountain was a rush after the snow had softened.
Route Climbed: Southwest Ridge Date Climbed: August 15, 2004
Camped at the base last night, it was cold... so I was running on little sleep, but it still faired out to be a great day! Again, we were the first to summit that day!:-)
Route Climbed: NW Ridge Date Climbed: Oct. 25 2002
A lot of snow covered the trail so it was kind of hard to find the way. Several times I was postholing and moshing through waist deep snow. Didn't reach the summit until 2:30pm. The hike down sucked because the trail was frozen over. I kept falling on my ice axe. I needed crampons for traction. All in all it was a great hike.
Route Climbed: Southwest Ridge Date Climbed: July 2003
Solo Trip - I was looking for Huron Peak in the dark and by the time I got to Winfield I could hardly stand any more of Chaffee 390. That road haunted my 2003 climbing season. Nevertheless, I found a sweet camping spot just past the trailhead and enjoyed the night. Good weather for the whole hike. The valley was gorgeous. At the top of the steep slope I was confused for a moment and didn't know which direction to go. The peak to the West looked like La Plata, and I didn't recognize anything to the East. A quick check of the compass got me back on track and I frequently looked back to familiarize myself with the return trip. A fun hike til I met two other hikers making out on the summit. Oh well, a quick pic and I headed back down.
haytraci - Jul 28, 2005 7:10 pm
Route Climbed: Northwest Ridge Date Climbed: July 10, 2005Had to sit out an afternoon storm during this one...even though it was to be expected. Witnessed the most beautiful sunset and alpenglow on the way down. Worth the fear experienced when lightening struck nearby as we were just above treeline.
climber46 - Jul 19, 2005 9:12 pm
Route Climbed: NW Ridge Date Climbed: Sept 12, 2004This hike has some of the best scenery Colorado has to offer. The aspens were arrayed in a golden robe. A jagged peak rises above the end of the valley the trail follows early on. The view of Ellingwood ridge was also great. And they we saw some Mtn. Goats in the distance. The weather was less than ideal, and I considered turning back, but my friend who has been on many 14ers, convinced me to summit. Due to a lack of acclimatization, this hike was actually more difficult for me than Longs Peak.
seswanso - Jul 18, 2005 11:27 am
Route Climbed: Standard NW Ridge Date Climbed: July 7, 2005The PERFECT day for the first summit of the summer. Not a cloud in the sky and barely a breeze on the summit. Loved this hike!
CWFry - Jul 15, 2005 4:46 pm
Route Climbed: Northwest Ridge Date Climbed: July 2004Beautiful peak, one of my favorites.
doumall - Jul 13, 2005 2:34 pm
Route Climbed: SW Slopes Date Climbed: May, 23 20048th 14er!
jonpierre - Jul 11, 2005 9:28 pm
Route Climbed: northwest ridge + ski descent of north face Date Climbed: 7/9/2005left around 4:45am with partner fritzsperry, the hike was great and it is constant climbing. we reached the summit and meet alot of great people. around noon we skied the north face and bushwhacked out. long day, back at the car around 4pm. snow was great, 2-4" inch of slush on nice firm base. in some of the couloirs we even hit really firm almost ice. lots of snow still out there.
bigwilly - Jul 10, 2005 9:28 pm
Route Climbed: Southwest ridge Date Climbed: July 10, 2005Great day for climbing. Great weather and beautiful scenery. Great fun.
wwells - Jul 4, 2005 12:16 pm
Route Climbed: Northwest Ridge Date Climbed: June 28, 2005This was a more challenging hike than I had expected. The view of Ellingwood Ridge from the ridge crest was impressive, but the scramble through the rocks up to the summit was long and tiring. Crossing the raging South Fork Lake Creek on the metal and wood bridge was also interesting. Thanks to CFI for a great trail on the lower sections.
scvanm - Jun 28, 2005 8:47 am
Route Climbed: Northwest Ridge Date Climbed: 6/26/2005First mountain of the year. Number 11 14er. Tougher than I expected. My legs were out of shape and felt like spaghetti. Glad I made it ....Praise the Lord!! (Sean, Jordan, Matt)
keenez01 - Jun 26, 2005 3:20 pm
Route Climbed: started from the lake creak trailhead Date Climbed: July 24, 2002wbass - Jun 20, 2005 5:54 pm
Route Climbed: Southwest Ridge Date Climbed: June 18, 2005What a fantastic day to climb! There were no more than a few puny (non-rain) clouds in the sky at any given time, the visibility was unbelievable, winds manageable, and the trail/snow very stable (although I'd have to say the bog is much easier to negotiate in the early AM when still frozen). The lower (12,800') saddle would appear to be a better route than continuing NNE, although the scree slope below the saddle has some pretty significant erosion from foot traffic.
Foxy Long Bottoms - Jun 20, 2005 1:30 pm
Route Climbed: NW Ridge Date Climbed: 8/04Another great CFI trail. I can always tell which ones they are because the trails are so nice! Gotta go back and do Ellingwood Ridge.
sbkelley - Jun 14, 2005 3:21 pm
Route Climbed: Northwest Ridge Date Climbed: June 11, 2005what a great day! Snow for the last 700 feet or so made things more exciting and it definitely did not feel like summer yet. Glissading down the mountain was a rush after the snow had softened.
altitude14er - Jun 13, 2005 7:00 pm
Route Climbed: Lake Creek TH Approach Date Climbed: June 5, 2005Last 1,000ft. to summit was snow packed on this day
James C - Jun 11, 2005 1:48 pm
Route Climbed: Northwest Ridge Date Climbed: May 21, 2005The climb seemed very long, but the summit was well worth it
ktiffany22 - May 15, 2005 11:25 pm
Route Climbed: Southwest Ridge Date Climbed: August 15, 2004Camped at the base last night, it was cold... so I was running on little sleep, but it still faired out to be a great day! Again, we were the first to summit that day!:-)
Brian Kalet - Apr 6, 2005 5:50 pm
Route Climbed: Northwest Ridge Date Climbed: August 22, 2004Great day!
alpine master - Apr 3, 2005 11:15 pm
Route Climbed: NW Ridge Date Climbed: Oct. 25 2002A lot of snow covered the trail so it was kind of hard to find the way. Several times I was postholing and moshing through waist deep snow. Didn't reach the summit until 2:30pm. The hike down sucked because the trail was frozen over. I kept falling on my ice axe. I needed crampons for traction. All in all it was a great hike.
Old Ickabod - Mar 28, 2005 9:31 pm
Route Climbed: Southwest Ridge Date Climbed: July 2003Solo Trip - I was looking for Huron Peak in the dark and by the time I got to Winfield I could hardly stand any more of Chaffee 390. That road haunted my 2003 climbing season. Nevertheless, I found a sweet camping spot just past the trailhead and enjoyed the night. Good weather for the whole hike. The valley was gorgeous. At the top of the steep slope I was confused for a moment and didn't know which direction to go. The peak to the West looked like La Plata, and I didn't recognize anything to the East. A quick check of the compass got me back on track and I frequently looked back to familiarize myself with the return trip. A fun hike til I met two other hikers making out on the summit. Oh well, a quick pic and I headed back down.
Colorado Susan - Mar 16, 2005 12:16 am
Route Climbed: Northwest Ridge Date Climbed: July 26, 2004A beautiful climb.