Colorado Dayhiking Trip Report Thread

“double
last edited: 7/14/05 5:04:27 PM”

“My truck was reading 105 while I was headed home on 25.

Ewker I hiked a 13,000 ft. peak a week ago.”

“Hallett Peak

Mileage: 10
Elevation Gain: 3268

Got to the park super early because I wanted to beat the heat. Started up the trail, same trail for a while as the one I hike yesterday to Bierstadt. Took the trail to Flattop mtn. and started up, up, up... There were tremendous views of Glacier Gorge, as well as viewpoints of Dream Lake and Emerald Lake far below. Eventually the trail broke above treeline and there were great views all around. The trail continued up crossing a large snowbank, then came to the top of Flattop Mtn. From there it was a bit of a scramble up to Hallett Peak where the view was, as always, incredible.

Pics Here:

http://community.webshots.com/album/395097764WmtjYG”

“Arapahoe Glacier

Mileage: 12
Elevation gain: 2800

Meant to hike Mt. Massive today, but had trouble getting to sleep last night for some reason. Anyway, woke up too late to do Massive, so I settled on something a little shorter (not much though) and closer to home. Headed out at 6 am and made it to the TH by 7:30. The trail started out rocky and gained elevation through the trees quickly arriving at treeline at about 2 miles. The views were... as always! The trail through the tundra would traverse the side of a mountain, then switchback up, then traverse, then switchback etc... with incredible views all around. The wind was horrendous, at times the wind was so strong that it was hard to take a breath. I got some relief when the trail would traverse to the south. The trail eventually disappeared into a rather large snowfield on the south side of peak about a mile before reaching the overlook. I had to be real careful crossing the snowfield because the snow was very soft and it was easy to sink in up to my waist. I got through that and then followed the last mile to the overlook. There was a couple at the overlook but they left right when I arrived so I had the place to myself. Ate lunch, admired the view, then headed back down, turning around every once in a while to watch the thunderheads building over the mountains behind me.

Pics here:

http://community.webshots.com/album/400321764”

“I meant to hike up Chapin, Chiquita, and Ypsilon Mountains in the Mummy Range, but only made it up Chapin. Got to the TH about 8:30 and it was a comfortable 50 degrees. The temperature dropped as I climbed up the extremely steep trail. As I got above treeline the wind was howling, I put on my windgear and was OK. I hiked up the trail to about half a mile before the saddle between Chapin and Chiquita then headed straight up the side of Chapin. I came up to the summit ridge well south of the summit, and started walking along the ridge. The East face of the mountain dropped straight away about 1000 feet, so it made for pretty dramatic scenery, but the wind was incredible at this point. I had to crawl at some points to keep from being blown off the ridge, and I was starting to get cold. I made it to a rock shelter on the summit and spent some time enjoying the scenery. I was still getting cold so I decided to bail on the other two mountains and just head down. On the way down I was hiking straight into the wind, it must have been about 100 mph, it was incredible, I was fighting my way down the trail and my fingers were starting to freeze in my gloves, my face was also starting to freeze. By the time I got down to the trees my fingers were wooden. I found a sheltered spot in the trees and warmed up my hands, then headed back down to the car.

Pics in a moment.”

“Sounds really intense and scary. Glad you're okay.”

“It was pretty intense, wait till I get the pics up (webshots is being a #&%!$ right now) and you can see the huge drop off to the East. Then imagine being up there in a wind that could blow you away!”

“you shoulda carried a kite!”

“Alright, they're finally up (@#$*ing webshots!)

http://community.webshots.com/album/450073694XMWLCl

Webshots still won't let me put them in the right order though.
last edited: 9/12/05 11:46:06 PM”

“Twin Sisters Mountain (11,430) -

Mileage - 7.4
Elevation Gain - 2340 ft.

Nice trail, not very difficult, fantastic views from the top.

Pics -

http://community.webshots.com/album/460936804EHGqzf
last edited: 9/29/05 4:08:55 PM”

“Buffalo Peaks Loop

Mileage - 11.5
Elevation Gain - about 2500 ft.

Beautiful trail along two creeks, large meadows to hike through, beaver ponds, easy hike, I heard Elk bugling and got snowed on. This would make a great short overnighter if you camped along the upper meadows of Rich Creek.

Pics -

http://community.webshots.com/album/460936549kYCOeB”

“Bison, where is this? The Collegiates?”

“Estes Cone (11,006) -

Mileage - 6.6
Elevation Gain - 1600 ft.

It was cold when I set out this morning, everything was frosted over. The trail started out pretty easy, hiking through the forest of Lodgepole pine, and then spruce. As the sun came out the frost melted and started coming down as rain from the trees. The last half mile was super steep and rocky. Near the top I got to scramble up a short gully and then scramble up to the actual summit, short but lot's o' fun. View from the top was of course incredible, I had the summit all to myself.

Pics -

http://community.webshots.com/album/463879939pWBzfQ”

“The Twin Sisters hike is in RMNP.

The Buffalo Peaks are East of the Collegiates.
last edited: 9/29/05 4:17:12 PM”

“Twin Sisters.”

“Nice pictures! I did some backpacking in the Collegiates a few years ago. That's when the addiction started.”

“Meadowlark/Plymouth Creek Loop

3.8 miles

One of the best things about living in Denver is all of the hiking in the open space parks that surround the city. So even if you don't have a lot of time for a hike, you can get a short one in not far from home. This hike was only about 20 minutes from my house.

The hike is in Deer Creek Canyon in the Jefferson County Open Space. It started out switchbacking up an open hill. There were lots of people out hiking this morning and several were walking their dogs. At the top of the hill I had a great view of the plains and downtown Denver. The trail crossed Plymouth creek and then headed down the trail along the creek. This part of the trail is popular with mountain bikers and there were a few heading uphill. Toward the bottom of the canyon the trail past some interesting white rock formations.

Pics -

http://community.webshots.com/album/471069965vyTQCx

Alright kids, that's all for today, time to head up to Ft. Collins for the CSU-Utah game.”

“I summited Mummy today! Woo hoo!

16.5 miles in 11 hours

I'll have pics and a trip report later.”

“Nice job, that's a monster hike.”

“Thanks man..

Your's aren't too shabby either! ;-)”

“what a lame-o...pics and report later?!? ptooey!

Congrats on bagging yet another awesome CO peak, ya bastard.

smack! ;D”

“Yeah where exactly is the TR and Pics?

Quick TR for the rest of my day yesterday -

Started tailgating at 1:30, Great game CSU won with two quick td's in the fourth and a goal line stand at the end. Somehow wound up in a tree with the rest of the drunks singing Neil Diamond songs. Went downtown, woke up this morning wondering.... Where am I? How the hell did I get here? Who is she?

I think I must've also been hit by a truck at some point last night.........”

“I didn't take many pics since our digital is still broken. I have to get the film developed.”

“Film! No excuse, you'll just have to buy a new digital camera! Do not deny us beautiful CO pics any longer.”

“Trust me.. I'm just as bummed.

They want $150 to fix our camera and I paid $400 for it.

Plus my SLR camera is like 5 pounds.. so I didn't even carry it to the true summit to take pictures. I just left it behind with my pack.”

“That sucks. Was there any fresh snow up there? It's supposed to snow down here tonight!”

“geez, snow already?

Did you get snow shoes yet Bison?”

“Yeah baby, we've got a winter storm warning!

No snowshoes yet, I'm sure I'll get some this winter, but I'll be spending most of my free time snowboarding.”

“there was little snow patches... but nothing substatial”

“its not gonna snow tonite.

Bison - you were in a tree and singing Neil freakin Diamond songs?????

Please man! LOL”

“Ah yes I'm afraid a good time was had by all!

It shall snow tonight!”

“lol, at least you had fun!

Mercury's holding steady at 40 degrees - this might be the only night all year i hope it DOESN'T snow.

I have to be in downtown Denver at 9:00 am tomorrow.”

“Took a six mile hike today at Castlewood Canyon, nice early season hike out on the plains. Really crowded trails though, the whole world was out there today. Pics here -

http://community.webshots.com/album/549764537VhPJNv”

“Cool hike. How was your snowboarding season? You going to hit A-basin or Loveland at all before the end of the season?”

“Nah, I just hit Winter Park, Vail, Breck, and mostly Copper. So sad it's all over :( I cleaned up my snowboarding equipment and packed it away this week.

And I only almost died twice this season, I'll have to try harder next year.”

“We were at Loveland snowboarding today and it was snowing! :-)”

“Nice!

Looks like they're not closing til the 7th, I'll have to head up there this week.
last edited: 4/29/06 9:32:46 PM”

“Stop at Wahoos for $25 lift coupons!”

“I'll do that, thanks for the tip!”

“Whoa... Loveland got 6" yesterday!”

“Took a hike along the Colorado River on the West side of the park. It was a pleasant 7.5 mile stroll without too much elevation gain. The wildlife was out in force, saw quite a few Elk, Deer, and plenty of Bighorns.

Pics -

http://community.webshots.com/album/551078793aQhFya”

“Bighorns!!

very cool.”

“We got up at 4 am and hiked up to the Flatirons (very short hike) Sunday morning just to catch the sunrise.


last edited: 6/05/06 7:29:33 PM”

“It was like being at the zoo yesterday, all the wildlife was out and about.

Nice pics Roam! I was driving past the flatirons right at sunrise.”

“Were there a lot of remnants of the town? I saw your cabin shot and the signpost.

Have always wanted to go to Lulu City. It's the headwaters of the Colorado, right?”

“It's not at the headwaters, the headwaters are still a few miles up the valley. I hunted around a little but I never saw anything to indicate that there was ever a town there other than the sign. The guidebook said that there are some remains, but I didn't see anything at all. The cabin remains were along the trail a couple of miles before the townsite.”

“Thanks man - i think there's some foundation remnants (just based on what I've read) but not much at all - and I'd bet you'd have to really look around to pick out the road beds and whatnot. Lulu was a true boom and bust town.”

“Apparently guidebooks can't agree about Lulu City. Mine says nothing is left, and, like you, I found nothing at the site. Did you go on up to the "Grand Ditch?"”

“I didn't get over to the Grand Ditch side, I had wanted to go as far as little yellowstone, but I didn't have time.”