Interest in CO Trip? - Aug 2011

“So, I'm kinda missing getting a nice group of folks together - haven't done a group trip in quite a while.

Wonder if there's any interest in putting together a group and spend 4 or 5 days (or so) in the CO backcounty. Next August would be a good time to do this, all the snow will be melted out, the skeeters will die off by then and the thunderstorm/monsoon cycle will be dieing down.

Lots of options for places to go, probably not Rocky Mtn NP though - too many issues with permits and such. One of the big wilderness areas in the South Central/Western portion of the state be my first pick, like Weminuche....

so any interest from you east coasters or Cali peeps? (no restrictions implied)

:)”

“When is someone going to post one of these trips I can actually go on?”

“im going to try to go peak-bagging in the sangres next summer in august”

“when can you go zac?

crash - i was thinking more of a traditional backpack trip, but no reason we couldn't somehow combine a peak bagger group with a back pack group and share some campsites for a couple of nights.”

“thats up to you. i just know that when i come to colorado, it's to peak-bag. it would be great to have you join us”

“I have a big hike in September of next year that I have to save up for. I won't be able to do any trips outside of my general area until after then.”

“speaking of peak-baggin, i nabbed two more 14ers this summer so far. Torreys and Sherman.

I think i'm up to 7 or 8 now. woo hoo!

some kid got killed on Little Bear a few weeks back, took a big fall in the sketchy and loose/crumbly 4th class section when a foothold broke. :(”

“I think me and the missus would be very interested. Keep the details coming”

“you bet Peps.

I'll start thinking of some sort of plan and take a look at some range of dates, but the end of August is a good time frame to use for general reference.”

“Depending on the dates, I'm there......

'32oz”

“Looking at a loop in the Wemenuche (can't spell that dang name) Wilderness.

Probably around the middle of august - would like to spend 5 days on the trail - that'd allow plenty of time for people to get here and get home on the weekends.”

“hey Roam, I might be up for this,I have hiked the area,we went in at the 30 mile camp then up Squaw creek BEAUTIFUL area but lots of horse packers, have you thought about the Needle moutains area”

“I would imagine that certain trails will be more prone to horse packing outfitters than others and I'd plan to avoid that. Sometimes your bound to cross paths, but hopefully could be avoided for the most part.

No, I've not looked at Needle Mountains specifically - YET. :)

I'll try to get somethign on the trips page.”

“I'd be very interested in the peakbagger group or the combination of the two. Been looking at either Cali or CO week of Aug 15 for some 14ers and it's be great to meet some more tters”

“I am peeking this one out myself. Yo bear!”

“just to clarify, i'm not looking to put together a peak bagging trip - not that there isn't opportunity for that, but peak bagging is not my intention with this particular trip.

I'm looking to put together a nice 35 to 45 mile loop to spread out over 5 or 6 days of hiking. Try to hit some nice scenic areas, some alpine meadows and lakes. In short - a 'vacation' type cruiser backpacking trip - NOT a 'butt-kicker' as our old friend ENS would call it.

I am gonna reach out to some former TT'rs that might be interested in this as well.

sounds like there's enough interest in this though to put together some plans.

More to come!”

“Cool, I am looking for a BP trip as well. Peeking was just my way of saying that I am watching this thread. Yo roam!”

“awesome bear! i thought that's what you meant, just wanted to clarify the intent. Crash is doing a peak bagger trip - something for everyone out here!

by the way, i can happily provide shuttle service to and from the Denver airport. The trailhead we'll be going to will be at least a 4 or 5 hour drive from Denver.”

“great!”

“Cool. I will keep this in my sights as well. Oops, that type of language can get you in trouble these days...”

“jerbear, just don't bring any more snow ( as in our last two trips)”

“oldog snow in august. HA! Oops it snowed on us in aug tetons! Prepare yourself for the worst. LOL! y bear!
Like wise on the lift Roam!”

“This gives you four 14,000 foot mountains, some beautiful scenery, a high mountain pass all in 5 days (or so) with a car shuttle.

Start from the parking lot near where the creek crosses the hiway. (Northeast on this map) following Pine Creek to the old hermits camp and mines shown in the center of this map segment. This may be the second night.

http://www.topo.com/explore?lat=38.958032426752396&lng=-106.3148193359375&level=6&type=topo

Next day, take South Pine Creek Trail up to trail leading up the ridge to Mt Harvard. You can optionally descend steeply across country from 12600 marker to the small tarn and then follow the ridge just to the east of the outlet down. There is a marker and a 'use' trail there. There is a large marker just above and south of the small pond showing a better trail through the rocks.

Continue on the next day on Pine Creek to Elkhead Pass.

http://www.topo.com/explore?lat=38.958032426752396&lng=-106.3148193359375&level=6&type=topo

You can grab Belford and Oxford before heading down to first water in Missouri Gulch. Plan on PLENTY of water from Pine Creek, if you are doing the two 14rs on the pass.

Alternatively you could continue up Pine Creek to the lakes and bench at the dead end of Missouri Basin - beautiful kick back location.

http://www.topo.com/explore?lat=38.920290610959746&lng=-106.35723876953125&level=6&type=topo

Once over Elkhead and down to the last camp at near first water. You can click off Mt Missouri on a quick morning and then continue down - to the parking lot if you feel full of energy. It is a steep and grueling down hill - not as bad as the unfortunates you will meet coming up though.

********
Another trip is to Conundrum hot Springs (clothing optional)

Leave car at Gothic (out of Crested Butte) and head up for first night at Copper Lake.

http://www.topo.com/explore?lat=38.998031045935626&lng=-106.92681884765625&level=6&type=topo

Next morning head for 13,200' Triangle Pass with one of the most expansive and beautiful meadows in the rockies nestled into the Conundrum Basin on the other side of the pass. Follow the trail down to Conundrum Springs at around 11,200' or so. Plenty of camping just before you get to the springs (watch for the turn off from the main trail) and above them.

The next day take your time enjoying a long down hill walk down to the parking lot and wait for the car shuttle to catch up before hitting the bar.

This is best in late July, but early fall it it has spectacular color from aspen.”

“Mainly for PEPSI,

From Lone Pine on US 395 trail head is Horseshoe Meadows to Cottonwood Lakes for first night at near Lake 5 (or Muir even)

http://www.topo.com/explore?lat=36.4956535292554&lng=-118.21453857421875&level=6&type=topo

Next day up OLD Army Pass (check out Summit Post for route) and drop packs for Mt Langley. Next night could be Soldier Lakes and the Mitre (either cross country from Langley or follow Rock Creek trail). Beautiful scenery not to be missed since you are there:

http://www.topo.com/explore?lat=36.4956535292554&lng=-118.21453857421875&level=6&type=topo

From here you could camp at lower Rock Creek where the PCT crosses or follow up the PCT to Crab tree meadows skirting to the east of Mt Guyot

http://www.topo.com/explore?lat=36.50890029249505&lng=-118.3428955078125&level=6&type=topo

To your benefit to gut up as high as you can toward Whitney - maybe even Guitar Lake.

http://www.topo.com/explore?lat=36.56210979749295&lng=-118.30859375&level=6&type=topo

Early next day (2AM) leave for Mt Whitney as a day hike, catching Mt Muit on the way up or down.

Now on the JMT (John Muir Trail) head north toward Tyndall Creek - you could travel up Wallace Creek to one the oddities in the US. Lake Tulainyo is (one of) the highest deep, large lakes in the US. Some intrepid hikers even SCUBA dived it.

http://www.topo.com/explore?lat=36.60244613153959&lng=-118.296630859375&level=6&type=topo

From Tyndall Creek you could take an easy day and day hike up to South America Lake and Harrison Pass for a look see and spectacular scenery of the back bone of the Sierra to your west and east.

http://www.topo.com/explore?lat=36.69103354399085&lng=-118.4058837890625&level=6&type=topo

Then the next a day hike up Tyndall Creek and catch My Tyndall (14r). If before July 15, you could also try for Mt Williamson (second highest in state). It is closed to climbing between 7/15 and 12/15.

http://www.topo.com/explore?lat=36.66479604529737&lng=-118.3330078125&level=6&type=topo

Take more pictures of the Upper Kern Basin you earned them!

The next day could be out over Shepherd Pass and down or continue north on the JMT over Forester Pass at 13,200'

http://www.topo.com/explore?lat=36.60244613153959&lng=-118.296630859375&level=6&type=topo

Take your time going up (ha!) and going down as the remains of glacier carving expose one lake after another.

Camp at middle Vidette Meadow to follow the JMT up to where just before Charlotte Lake and take the high trail to Kearsarge

http://www.topo.com/explore?lat=36.76719879463359&lng=-118.3935546875&level=6&type=topo

Or you could take a last luxurious day lounging around Kearsarge lakes by staying low.

http://www.topo.com/explore?lat=36.766123125966494&lng=-118.37060546875&level=6&type=topo

Either way it is about a 1/2 day out over Kearsarge pass to Onion Valley and a shuttle back to Horseshoe Meadows. If you had bailed over Shepherd you would walk the three miles at the bottom to the road leading up to Onion Valley for a hitch up the hill to your shuttle car.

*********
Another 14r bagging trip is over Bishop Pass from South Lake outside of Bishop (on US395)to Long Lake and Saddlebag to Dusy Basin (long day).

http://www.topo.com/explore?lat=37.11418998702841&lng=-118.5428466796875&level=6&type=topo

Then over Knap Sack Pass to Palisades Basin

http://www.topo.com/explore?lat=37.085273573437135&lng=-118.5382080078125&level=6&type=topo

From there you have a buffet of Thunderbolt, N. Palisades, Polonium, and Mt Sill.”

“Thanks speacock, very interesting ideas that may help make up my mind. I have not decided on cali or co yet.
It may come down to getting permits or not (I have submitted for the Whitney lottery) From what I understand I would need a permit for any route over Whitney which means making firm plans well ahead and a different permit than I have applied for. Some you have to pick up in person?”

“I really liked a peak bagging trip I took a few years ago to Uncompaghre peak. We went to the Big Blue trailhaid and hiked up the valley to a cross trail that heads over to Lost creek. From there we bagged Uncompaghre and decided to head out and fish rather than go over to Matterhorn and Wetterhorn. Give that area a look. You can't find a better town in CO than Lake City, and the area has lots of other hiking opportunities.”

“try Creede on for size”

“They keep a good percentage of Whitney tickets back for day hikers and walk ups. Get at Ranger station in Lone Pine early the day before you want to leave and you might get lucky - many no shows.

Coming in from the back side on an 8 day trip from Horseshoe Meadow to Onion Valley or over Shepherd Pass to get out is a good option without the lottery. Just apply for a normal wilderness with a Whitney zone. And yeah you do have to plan ahead. It is a day trip from above Crabtree Meadows. Two days from Horseshoe and three from Onion Valley (or so).”

“Creede was nice but it was just too small for a vacation spot, Lake City is a thriving metropolis compared to Creede and I think Lake City only has a few hundred people. Kinda touristy but the restaurants and one bar is a nice place to unwind after a hike. If I remember Creede they just had one place to eat and no bar.”

“Colorado has sooooo many more accessible high altitude hiking opportunities than California. There are very few rules & restrictions. Only a couple of the 53-59 14ers (depending on your definition) involve technical difficulties and most are just a walk up a trail (with very little oxygen - none are easy). I climbed 14ers there for 15 years and only got half of them.

Creede has access to only one 14er - one of the rounder ones, San Luis. Lake City has access to Wetterhorn, Uncompahgre, Red Cloud, Sunshine & Handies. It's more out of the way and the scenery is a lot better. You want to eat at Lake City's restaurants, but you don't want to have to buy groceries.

The place I visited most was the Arkansas River valley between Salida & Leadville. There is easy access to the whole Sawatch Range (15 14ers), hot springs, back roads, ghost towns, white water rafting, a WalMart & gear store in Salida, the CDT & Colorado Trail and some great wilderness areas for backpacking.

Avoid Aspen - it's a yuppie zoo.

More Whitney permits are available on a first-come walk-up basis than by reservation. If you don't climb on a weekend you shouldn't have a problem.”

“if you have the Nov/2010 Backpacker turn to page 36 (the Needles Traverse )as a trip option”

“If Zac goes, I'll go.

Doug”

“thought I'd bring this back out, for Roams sake”

“I'm very uncertain as to my ability to get much time off this coming summer.

sorry guys - gonna be real difficult for me to plan very far ahead.”

“there's always 2012”

“The mountains aren't going anywhere. :)”

“Hey Roam, I know you have a busy work schedule this summer, but I'm planning on getting out as much as possible on the weekends if you every want to join. I'll keep you posted...”

“I've pretty much decided that there are more opportunities in CO for last minute changes due to weather or simply a change of mind.
I'm going to start looking into flight reservations.”

“you got it em!

and pepsi - your right.”

“Colorado it is. So many choices, actual plans will depend on how I adapt to the elevation.”

“for this year or next”

“next week.
and hopefully again next year when I will have a better idea of how I adapt to the elevation. Maybe I have read too much and am over thinking this.”

“just look at it this way - if the elevation really messes with you, sure, it'll suck. But, you have an even chance or better that it won't bother you at all, or that it'll be pretty minor.

Hope for the best :)”

“So far everything has been great. NO issues with the altitude other than what seems to be normal. I am more winded than usual but it seems everyone else is too. And I have to keep adjusting my pace down.”

“I know 012 is a ways off but I'd like to maybe put a trip together with your help to the Needles Traverse .I'll get my map out”

“I'm definitely interested. We did 5 days in the South San Juans this July.
There is a really nice loop on the south side of the Weminuche involving Emerald Lake and part of the continental divide trail. I'll find out more on it if anyone is interested.
I've also always wanted to do the hike where you get off the Durango-Silverton train and hike into the Wilderness.

Mark”

“I've wanted to do that train ride trip too - sounds neat.

I'd be interested in info you gained on that trip in teh Weminuche. I think I may be going there next month for a few days.”

“oldog, i'm not familiar with the Needles Traverse, but I'll try to help any way i can.”

“I'm heading for the JMT this Thursday, I'll have more info when I get back .My family and I took the train to Silverton COOL ride”

“finally gettin out for a bit...

Wemenuche Wilderness for a few days. Should be nice. I'll post up some pics when i get back.”