Page Type:
|
Mountain/Rock |
|---|---|
Lat/Lon:
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39.80962°N / 105.88979°W |
County:
|
Grand |
Activities:
|
Hiking |
Season:
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Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter |
|
Elevation:
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12652 ft / 3856 m |
|
Overview
Mount Nystrom is located in the Vasquez Mountains of Grand County, Colorado. Nystrom is actually a subpeak of nearby unnamed Point 12,666. Mount Nystrom is accessible from the Continental Divide Trail by way of the Henderson Spur Trail at the Henderson Mine. In addition to Mount Nystrom, there are several options for hiking along this section of the Continental Divide Trail: Stanley Mountain and Berthoud Pass, Vasquez Pass, Vasquez Peak, Jones Pass and Saint Louis Peak. See Trails Illustrated Map 103: Winter Park/Central City/Rollins Pass. There are nice views of the Indian Peaks to the north and east, and the Gore Range to the west.
If you're looking for solitude, this is a pretty good place for it. There was no summit log on Nystrom when I was there, but the Vasquez register shows maybe 30-40 visitors in the summer months. Nystrom probably sees fewer visitors. The mine is a little noisy, but the higher you go, the quieter it gets.
Except for the wind.
![Henderson/Continental Divide Trail Junction]()
Trail Junction
There were several downed trees across the trail when I hiked it in September, 2014. The trail skirts around the south and west sides of Vasquez Peak until it reaches a pass on the divide between Vasquez and Point 12,316. The trail then contours around the north side of Point 12,316 for another mile to the pass between 12,316 and Point 12,666. Continue up the rocky switchbacks to the summit of 12,666.
![Mount Nystrom]()
Nystrom from Point 12,666
There is a junction with the Jones Pass Trail here. Mount Nystrom is another mile to the northwest. From here, the trail is faint to nonexistent, but it is a well cairned, straightforward ridge walk to the summit of Mount Nystrom. From the summit, there are options to continue south and west to St Louis Peak, or follow the ridge northeast into the Fraser Experimental Forest.
![Mount Nystrom]()
Mount Nystrom Summit
Clear Creek Ranger District
101 Highway 103
P.O. Box 3307
Idaho Springs, CO 80452
303-567-3000
Sulphur Ranger District
9 Ten Mile Drive
P.O. Box 10
Granby, CO 80446
970-887-4100
Getting There
From I-70, take exit 232 to Empire. Follow US Hwy 40 toward Berthoud Pass for about 9.5 miles to the Henderson Mine Road at Berthoud Falls. Continue west on the Henderson Mine Road for about 1.8 miles to a gated entrance to the mine. There is a dirt road on the right. Follow the dirt road for another half mile to the Henderson Spur trailhead. There is ample parking at the trailhead.Route
From the trailhead, the Henderson Spur trail switchbacks about 1.4 miles through the woods to the junction with the Continental Divide Trail. Go left at this junction.
Trail Junction
Nystrom from Point 12,666
Mount Nystrom Summit
Red Tape
No red tape to speak of, but the Henderson Road and trailhead are on private land. The trail to Mount Nystrom crosses the Vasquez Peak Wilderness.When to Climb
Nystrom can be climbed year-round. Be mindful of avalanche danger in the winter. The Henderson Mine road crosses several avalanche chutes on the way to the trailhead.Camping
The Mizpah Campground is closed indefinitely as of 2020, due to a culvert failure.External Links
Arapaho & Roosevelt National ForestClear Creek Ranger District
101 Highway 103
P.O. Box 3307
Idaho Springs, CO 80452
303-567-3000
Sulphur Ranger District
9 Ten Mile Drive
P.O. Box 10
Granby, CO 80446
970-887-4100
akirmse - Oct 5, 2014 2:27 pm - Hasn't voted
lat/lngThe longitude should be degrees west, not east.
belexes - Oct 5, 2014 3:33 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: lat/lngIt's fixed now. Thanks for the heads up.