Missouri Mountain

#12 on my14er record goes to Missouri Mountain in the Collegiate Peaks. The Class 2 Northwest Ridge route starts at 9,650' with a total gain of 4,500' over 10.5 miles. This was to be my highest elevation gain on any hike thus far. My friends, Lexi and Anna, planned a 1am departure from Denver. In the wee hours of the night, we headed three hours southwest to the Missouri Gulch Trailhead (just south of Leadville). Driving in the dead of night felt more like Tuesday night than Wednesday morning.

With temperatures in the low 40s, we layered up and graciously noted at least one other car in the parking lot. We set off on the Missouri Gulch Trail at 4am, guided by the light from our headlamps. Before long, we began shedding layers upon climbing a series of switchbacks through steep forest. We left the switchbacks at 10,400' and eventually crossed to the east side of Missouri Gulch, which was easy to miss in the dark. We hiked south along the gulch until reaching the remnants of an old shack, where several backpackers had set up camping tents. Near 11,300', the terrain leveled out as we finally left the forest and switched off our headlamps.

At the first trail junction, the Missouri Gulch Trail continues to the right while the Mt. Belford Trail turns up to the left. Mt. Belford and Mt. Oxford are two neighboring 14ers that are commonly climbed together (climbing all three entails a strenuous, 15-mile hike). Bearing right, Missouri came into view directly south. We followed the trail through wildflowers and over a stream before turning left and climbing onto a small hill in the basin.

A second trail junction at 12,600' requires a right turn to zig-zag west up an easy hill. From there, we hiked to the base of a talus slope and followed the trail across the south side of Point 13,784'. Several breaks were needed as we slowly ascended the rough slope.

At last, we reached the saddle between Point 13,784' and Point 13,930'.



Just three-quarters of a mile from the summit, we made the final push along the ridge.

More than half way across, the trail drops 20' on the right side of the ridge. This brief, Difficult Class 2 stretch is not for the faint of heart.





With a bit of luck--and butt-sliding--we made it past the drop and reached the summit at 14,067'. As usual, the wind picked up and the gloves came back on. Nevertheless, we were awed by views of Huron Peak, as well as mountains in both the Elk Range and the Sawatch Range.

Once we had our fill, our trio tracked back towards the trailhead. The clouds rolled in and the temperature warmed up to the low 60s. How different everything looked in the daylight! 

Overall, we passed very few hikers along the route--clearly not a mainstream 14er (although we did get passed by one young man who was trail-running all three 14ers). Though one of the more challenging hikes that I've completed to date, I appreciated the mix of scenery and flat stretches to break up the steep parts. Lexi, Anna, and I reached the parking lot at 12pm, clocking eight hours round trip, having kept a decent pace but also not hustling.






















I feel very fortunate to have done another big hike in great company. It is certainly getting tricky, however, to find ones that everyone has yet to complete, do not require 4WD to reach the trailhead, and are not too far from Denver--getting up at 1am is an undeniable way to throw off your sleep cycle. Still, the high of finishing a 14er is worth it. Two more to go in order to reach my goal of 14 before leaving Colorado!

Lake Dorothy

Anna and I hiked the Arapaho Pass Trail to Lake Dorothy on Saturday, journeying 1.5 hours northwest through Nederland. This highly-trafficked, moderately-rated out and back trail climbs 1,889' over 7.3 miles. The Fourth of July Trailhead is accessed by five miles of rough, dirt road--doable in a passenger car, but very slow going; it took us thirty minutes in an SUV. Despite this, the trail is exceedingly popular, which, coupled with the fact of it being a summer weekend, we didn't take any chances--we snagged one of the last legal spots in the limited parking area at 5:30am.

We set off at 6am, climbing steadily to a series of switchbacks in the peaceful morning light. The trail eventually levels across steep, open slopes with views of Mount Neva (12,814'). Wildflowers are varied and abundant on this stretch.

After a mile, the trail narrows across a steep waterfall to the Diamond Lake split. The Arapaho Pass Trail continues to climb west. The valley below is noteworthy, highlighted by a network of glacier-fed streams and ponds.

After two miles, the trail moderates through a broad krummholz flat (German for 'bent wood' describing the twisted, stunted trees near treeline resulting from continual exposure).

From here, the route continues past the Arapaho Glacier Trail split and the historic Fourth of July Mine into open tundra. The terrain becomes quite rocky--and potentially windy--above treeline.

In three miles, the ramp-like trail curls toward the valley-center and Caribou Pass split on a saddle atop the Continental Divide.



Commanding views over Caribou Lake are enjoyed before turning onto the Caribou Pass Trail.

The trail bends southwest and levels in open tundra, where an intuitively followed path threads to the northeast shore of Lake Dorothy (12,061'). Located in a deep cirque between Mount Neva and Arapaho Pass, Lake Dorothy is the highest named lake in the Indian Peaks Wilderness.

From here, the Caribou Pass Trail continues northwest over the Divide. Anna and I agreed that we would like to return soon in order to explore the connecting trails. This time, however, we relaxed at the lake before heading back to the trailhead. As usual, the return journey gradually increased in both temperature and traffic.

We arrived back at the car just after 10:30am--about two hours each way with a half hour at the top. Undoubtedly a shared favorite!

Sky Pond

Anna and I returned to Rocky Mountain National Park last Saturday, having been two years since our last visit. Departing at a sleepy 4am, we journeyed two hours northwest out of Denver.

Sky Pond is a difficult 9+ mile out and back trail. With a starting elevation of 9,240′, the hike accounts for a total gain of 1,647'. Despite our 6am arrival, the small parking lot at the Glacier Gorge trailhead was already full. As a result, we parked at the Bear Lake trailhead and took a short connector path to the main trail. The trail was calm and quiet in the soft, morning light.

Just under a mile into the hike is scenic Alberta Falls. The route then climbs toward a junction that bears right and ascends for another half mile to a second junction.

At the second junction, the middle of the three trails leads up to the Loch at 2.7 miles.

 

Anna and I spotted several elk during this stretch.

At four miles, Timberline Falls pose a significant obstacle to the final destination--Lake of Glass and Sky Pond can only be reached via a steep scramble up the side of the waterfall. This slick scramble can be quite dangerous, but the help and support of fellow hikers guided us through safely.

  

The first lake, Lake of Glass, is just a quarter mile beyond Timberline Falls. There is a waterfall hidden just below the lake. Many people stop here thinking that it’s Sky Pond. 

Another quarter mile, however, will lead to Sky Pond, which is twice the size of Lake of Glass. Sky Pond is surrounded by fields of columbines and other wildflowers. A small shelf waterfall spills out of the lake, and a marsh between the two lakes is home to a beautiful collection of marsh marigolds. From the southwestern shores are incredible views of Petit Grepon, the Sabre, and Sharkstooth–three prominent peaks that surround this alpine lake. We were amazed to spot rock climbers navigating the intimidating wall of these peaks.

After enjoying a short break to rest and refuel in our triumph, Anna and I set off on the 4.5-mile return journey. By the time we finished at 11am, the trail was hot and crowded. Five hours round trip.

Driving back through Estes Park, we stopped for brunch and mimosas at Notchtop Cafe. Cheers to RMNP!