Please refer to Carey’s/KXØR excellent trip report for details.
Just providing some additional impressions (video clips) from my recent trip to Hagues Peak using the standard route (Lawnlake via saddle between Fairchild and Hagues). Carey took a slightly different approach from Lawnlake to the summit.
Trailhead: 8550 ft / 2606 m Summit: 13560 ft / 4133 Elev. gain: 5010 ft / 1527 m Roundtrip: 18 mi / 29 km
If you would like to leave questions or comments, please do so through Youtube.
!! WARNING !! There are old mountaineers, and
bold mountaineers… there are no old-bold mountaineers.
Hiking and mountain climbing are potentially hazardous activities particularly in Colorado with its extreme elevations. I am not accepting responsibility for any death or injury resulting from activations based on my trip reports. Proper training, experience, and personal capability assessment is required – enjoy!
I spent the last two weeks hiking in RMNP and of course activating some SOTA summits. As one of the highlights, I was attempting to do part of the Mummy Mania (a long day hike to climb six peaks between 12,500 and 13,500 ft (3800m-4100m).
Mount Chapin: 12454 ft / 3796 m
Mount Chiquita: 12,454 ft / 3983 m/
Ypsilon Mountain: 13,520 ft/ 4121 m
Fairchild Mountain: 13,508 ft / 4117 m
Hagues Peak: 13,560 ft / 4133 m
Mummy Mountain: 13,430-ft / 4,093 m
The BOLD peaks qualify for SOTA.
Mummy Range Overview
‘Killing’ all of the Mummies requires two cars (shuttle), excellent weather, strong hiking and path finding skills and stamina. The terrain varies wildly between (Class II to Class III max) and some exposure if you choose so. Trying to activate 3 summits in addition to the 15+ miles and ~7000 ft elevation gain – impossible, at least for me. So I split it up in two sections on different days.
During my activation of Hagues Peak (13,560 ft/4133 m), the highest of the Mummies, I could see the Cameron Pk fire and how it blackened the skies (see pictures).
KØMOS with Hagues Pk in the background
KØMOS On Hagues Pk with Cameron Pk fire in the background (Aug. 15, 2020)
Cameron Pk fire from Hagues Peak (Aug 15, 2020)
ROMO Repater Site with smoke from Cameron Pk Fire (Aug 15, 2020)
KØMOS Hagues Pk activation
The smoke from several fires in Colorado thickened over the last 14 days, making for nice sun sets in Boulder and along the Front Range but also for very poor air quality. Early mornings air quality was better but the easterly winds pushed the smoke over the Mountains during the day making the views from peaks mediocre at best and breathing difficult.
Never the less, I decided to ‘finish’ the Mummies yesterday (Sunday 8/22/2020), starting at Chapin TH to summit Chapin/Chiquita/Ypsilon and as the big finale Fairchild Mtn which got away from me several times.
Ypsilon to Fairchild is a steep and treacherous route, descending and ascending 1000+ feet over ~1 mile across terrain littered with talus and huge boulders. It takes all your extremities to get up to Fairchild Mtn.
Traverse as seen from Ypsilon side
Traverse as seen from Fairchild side
The smoke from the fires increased along our route and made breathing more difficult as we went along (slowing us down measurably). By the time we hit the ridge on Fairchild the smoke was pretty bad, hurting nose and throat and burning in the eyes. We abandoned the idea to activate the peak 1385 ft/422m before reaching the summit (no, we were not within the activation zone yet). The idea to spend another 1h+ in these conditions before hiking back an approx. 5h to the car with burning eyes and coughing was not pretty.
Disappointed that Fairchild got away again again, but sort of happy at the same time for reaching (and playing with the radio on) 3 summits and the satisfaction that I made the treacherous traverse over to Fairchild – I could have made it without the smoke. I know now how a chain-smoker must feel every day.
So, bottom-line of the story is that you please pay attention to the wind/fire/smoke conditions when you are planning to activate in/near RMNP.Check their Website, large areas are already closed (no roads yet). Right now it’s neither pretty (no visibility) nor healthy I presume.
Oh, yeah, and if we had a QSO at ~14:40 UTC and I told you I am on Ypsilon Mtn (WØC/FR-ØØ9) I was wrong… I was on Mount Chiquita (not a SOTA Pk) and realized my mistake later (I blame lack of oxygen and smoke inhalation for my mistake – could be my age too). I was on Ypsilon Mountain at 16:30 UTC – I apologize for that.
Stay safe and healthy.
Best, Matt/KØMOS
!! WARNING !! There are old mountaineers, and
bold mountaineers… there are no old-bold mountaineers.
Hiking and mountain climbing are potentially hazardous activities particularly in Colorado with its extreme elevations. I am not accepting responsibility for any death or injury resulting from activations based on my trip reports. Proper training, experience, and personal capability assessment is required – enjoy!
Very excited to see Alaska (KL7) included in SOTA. Especially the Brooks Range (KLF/AE) Region. One of the most breathtaking regions I visited on this planet. Spend several summers up there hiking/boating/exploring . Attached a teaser photo for all of you who do not yet have plans for your summer (hiking) vacations.
Click the picture for a larger version
Thanks to all involved getting the Association online and thanks to KL3JI for managing this huge Assoc. Can’t wait to go back.
!! WARNING !! There are old mountaineers, and bold mountaineers… there are no old-bold mountaineers.
Hiking and mountain climbing are potentially hazardous activities particularly in Colorado with its extreme elevations. I am not accepting responsibility for any death or injury resulting from activations based on my trip reports. Proper training, experience, and personal capability assessment is required – enjoy!
Homebrewed linked EFHW (10-20m), SOTAbeam tuner, 18ft fiberglass fishing rod
Acrylic Insulators
links with mini bullet connectors
antenna on a kite winder with tuner
deployed linked EFHW
!! WARNING !! There are old mountaineers, and bold mountaineers… there are no old-bold mountaineers.
Hiking and mountain climbing are potentially hazardous activities particularly in Colorado with its extreme elevations. I am not accepting responsibility for any death or injury resulting from activations based on my trip reports. Proper training, experience, and personal capability assessment is required – enjoy!
Phase 2 of the US 36 permanent reconstruction is scheduled to begin July 21 as Kirkland Construction transitions into the area to complete the road. Construction is expected to continue into late this fall.
The biggest part of this phase will require a closure of the road between milemarkers 18 and 19, which is near the bottom, close to Lyons. That closure will begin July 29 at 6 a.m. The road will re-open for weekend traffic Aug. 2-3 and then close again for Aug. 4-8. The road will open on Saturday, Aug. 9 at 6 a.m.
If you want to drive up to Estes Park and/or RMNP from the Frontrange, you are better off taking US34 (from the north) or use SH7 from Lyons.
!! WARNING !! There are old mountaineers, and bold mountaineers… there are no old-bold mountaineers.
Hiking and mountain climbing are potentially hazardous activities particularly in Colorado with its extreme elevations. I am not accepting responsibility for any death or injury resulting from activations based on my trip reports. Proper training, experience, and personal capability assessment is required – enjoy!
W0C/FR-072 (Mt. Olympus) 2679 M / 8808 ft
May 3rd, 2014
by KØMOS
Mount Olympus stands tall right between Big Thompson Canyon (US34) and Little Thompson Canyon (US36) on the east side of Estes Park (CO). It’s a stunning mountain even though it’s elevation is not even 9000 ft (~2800 m) – and therefore only a two pointer in the WØC association.
Mt. Olympus – 2679 m / 8808 ft
I have driven by this mountain numerous times in the past but since it is all bushwhacking to the top and only rewards two SOTA points it had lingered on my ‘to-do’ list… for way too long in turns out. The hike is prettier than expected and the summit provides some unusual views towards the continental divide and Rocky Mountain National Park. Definitely recommended – if you have the necessary route finding skills.
The approach from the south (US36) is difficult since this side belongs to the Crocker Ranch and is therefore private property. So is the actual summit (according to the USGS map) but it is possible to get into the activation zone on NF land from the north. There are no signs, barbed wire fences or any other indication that the summit is on private property. It seems that the owner does not mind hikers reaching the very top.
Trailhead: 7351 ft / 2241 m
Summit: 8808 ft / 2679 m
Elev. gain: 1575 ft / 480 m
Roundtrip: 2.1 mi / 3.4 km
Drive east from Estes Park towards Loveland on US34. After passing Lake Estes, the road goes into the Canyon. There is a little gravel pullout on your right with a NF sign, indicating that you are entering Roosevelt National Forest. That’s your best bet to leave your car.
Parking/Trailhead
Red Tape:
Keep in mind that the summit is on private property, but as mentioned above, there is no indication that the owner has any issue with you climbing to the top.
The Ascent:
The elevation profile
Park at the sign
I climbed up the steep slope just behind the sign, keeping my route to the NE (downriver). I traversed numerous rock outcroppings and stayed way left of the steep couloir. Eventually the terrain became less steep and the forest opened up a bit. Plenty of rock outcroppings everywhere, giving you a chance to climb up and take a peek towards the Continental Divide. I ignored the stone cairns here and there since they they did not indicate a clear path and just followed my gut and navigational instincts.
About half way up the terrain flattens out even further, making for a nice hike through the woods. The cairns became more numerous and they seemed to lead into the right direction. I started to follow them, a wise decision since the slope became steeper and the underbrush more dense. Following the cairns led me comfortably through some really thick stuff right to the summit.
The Summit:
The Crocker Ranch below
If you look at the profile of the summit it looks as if somebody took a knife and cut off a piece at the highest point. The south face is very steep and more inclined towards rock-climbing. It allows some great views toward Estes Park, Rocky Mountain N.P and the Continental Divide as well as to the Crocker Ranch just below the rocky face.
The summit is rocky, quite small with a few ‘trees’ to tie your mast to, and a steep drop-off to the south. I was carrying a 16ft fishing pole with a linked EFHW which I wedged between the rocks at the highest point – perfect. With hardly any wind and mostly sunny skies the activation was very pleasant. The rocks even provided some nice options to sit on.
I found two historical photos taken from about the same spot. Take a closer look at the three pictures below… interesting to see the huge changes over time:
Photo taken 2014
Photo taken ~1940 // Courtesy of the OldEstes Collection – Dave and Carol Tanton
Photo taken ~1900 by Enos Mills
The Descent:
I followed the cairns on my way down. At some stage I missed some of them and just followed the general direction to the TH. I missed the car by ~50ft.
If you would like to leave questions or comments, please do so through Youtube.
!! WARNING !! There are old mountaineers, and bold mountaineers… there are no old-bold mountaineers.
Hiking and mountain climbing are potentially hazardous activities particularly in Colorado with its extreme elevations. I am not accepting responsibility for any death or injury resulting from activations based on my trip reports. Proper training, experience, and personal capability assessment is required – enjoy!
W0C/FR-150 (Thunder Peak) – 3083 m / 10134 ft
May 7, 2014
by KØMOS
According to the WX forecast, today was the best chance to bag another summit for the remainder of the week. After a nice thunderstorm over night, more thunderstorms were in the forecast starting at noon, and even some snow was forecast over night. Getting on the trail early was key. So was to travel light and I therefore exchanged my 30′ mast with a lightweight 16′ fishing rod and the Bazooka and J-Pole antennas with a linked EFHW before I left my QTH.
Thanks to some fresh intell from KX0R/Carey (who activated this summit two days ago) I took a new route which shaved off ~0.5 miles – not much but if you are competing against the clock, every bit helps. I hit the trail under blue skies and not a cloud in sight. I bushwhacked my way up through dense forest and was greeted on the summit by dark clouds all around . Thanks to the abundance of dead trees on the summit, the antenna was up in no time and I got my QRP signal out just in in time to correspond with my posted SOTA alert.
W7RV/Tom picked up my signal on 20m and posted a spot (thanks Tom). Within nine minutes I had 10 contacts and no more takers on 20m when I switched to 15m – just to take a peak… clouds were moving in fast and a cold breeze had me add a new layer of clothing.
My CQs on 15m were answered by M1DXU and shortly after by G2YT/Peter near London (UK). G2YK is a call sign originally issued to ‘Marconi’s Wireless Telegraph Company Limited’ at the Poldhu Radio Station in Cornwall (you can read more about it here) – pretty cool :)
After this short QSO it was definitely time to pack up my radio and head downhills. The activation only lasted 17 minutes and with ice pellets falling from the sky I slid down the steep and sandy slopes of Thunder Peak, trying to reach the forest to get some protection. By the time I arrived at the TH, the ice pellets morphed into a nice rain shower… exactly what we currently need here in N-Colorado.
!! WARNING !! There are old mountaineers, and bold mountaineers… there are no old-bold mountaineers.
Hiking and mountain climbing are potentially hazardous activities particularly in Colorado with its extreme elevations. I am not accepting responsibility for any death or injury resulting from activations based on my trip reports. Proper training, experience, and personal capability assessment is required – enjoy!
W0N/PH-005 (Scotts Bluff) – 1417 m / 4649 ft
March 31, 2014
by KØMOS
A high wind warning was in effect for northern Colorado for the last day of March and so I decided to head north-east towards the newest SOTA Association in NA: WØN or Nebraska. Scotts Bluff or WØN/PH-005 is the closest and most accessible WØN summit for me and had not yet been activated. Weather forecast predicted mostly cloudy skies, high winds and a 40% chance of snow for the area. The summit lies within the Scotts Bluff National Monument and even has an established hiking trail from the visitor center to the top.
Oc course I did not seriously expect to avoid the high winds by traveling north through Wyoming to the plains of Nebraska, but it was as good as any excuse to make the long trip and activate a new summit in a new association. As far as I know, it was the first activation in WØN.
Scotts Bluff National Monument
Trailhead: 4118 ft / 1255 m
Summit: 4649 ft / 1417 m
Elev. gain: 531 ft / 162 m
Roundtrip: 3.2 mi / 5.2 km
How to get there:
From my QTH (Fort Collins) I took I25 north towards Cheyenne, WY. I took exit 17 onto US-85 N/Canam Hwy/Torrington Rd. Make sure you have enough fuel in your tank. It’s going to be lonely a lonely trip with only sparse signs of civilization.
After 46 miles, turn right onto WY-151 E which becomes NE-88 E after about 10 miles. After another 20 miles, turn left onto NE-71 N/State Hwy 88. After another 11 miles, follow the signs towards Scotts Bluff National Monument.
There is a visitor center with a parking lot on the north side of the road.
There is hardly any traffic on these roads. I passed the time by trying to avoid as many tumbleweeds as I could. With the high winds, it seemed that I was constantly under attack. Tumbleweeds of all sizes rolling over the hills in troves, jumping over fences and crossing the roads with no respect for oncoming traffic. I had to stop twice and pick the under-carriage clean from the remnants of all the collisions.
Red Tape:
There is a $ 5.00 entry fee/car which is valid for seven days. Bikers/Hikers get away with a$ 3.00 fee.
Make sure to check their opening hours, they change depending on the season.
The Ascent:
The trail to the summit starts right behind the visitor center (NE corner). I began my journey with cloudy skies, high winds and a temperature of 29 degrees Fahrenheit (~ -2C)
The trail to the summit – Overview
There are no challenges on this hike. Heck, it’s paved all the way to the top :) – you can’t go wrong. The path heads towards NE and hardly gains any elevation for the first 0.6 miles before it eventually heads up a ridge on the east side. With the cold and windy conditions it took me 35 minutes to cover the 1.6 miles to the top, but at least I stayed warm. You end up (almost) at the highest point of the plateau.
Elevation Profile
An interesting and rather unusual aspect of the hike is that you get a good view of more than 500 feet (> 150 m) of continuous geologic strata that spans about 11 Mio years into the past. Scotts Bluff is a remnant of an ancient high plain, several hundred feet above than the current plains. It was formed by erosion, well after the continent interior and after the uplifting of the Rocky Mountains.
The Summit:
Highest Point
The winds were howling – around 40 mph (~65 km/h). Sand was in the air due to the geological properties of the mountain (sandstone). It took me no time to find the highest point on the rather large plateau but I moved on quickly to find shelter and to erect my fishing pole holding a linked EFHW antenna. I tried a few different locations before I found a large rock to hunker down behind at the right distance to a tree for my antenna.
It was immediately clear that I would not last very long on this summit under these conditions. The windchill, hovering around 10 degrees F (~ -12C) made the activation unpleasant. The mini sand storm did not help either and I was seriously afraid that the fishing-pole would not survive the gusts (up to 69 mph [111 km/h]).
How do I know all these numbers, you might ask? I went to the visitor center to warm up and to learn about the history of the place before hitting the road again. The ranger on duty had access to two weather stations and since I was the only visitor, she had tons of time at her hands to go through the data with me. Highest gust was at 10:07 (local time), just when the first chasers got into my log.
Shack on a summit
The upper portion of the 20m band was packed but my QSOs with an ongoing NET attracted a few SOTA chasers. Moving away from the frequency in order not to hijack the NET left me high and dry… nobody followed me to the new frequency and no spot either. I left the summit shortly after my last QSO with icy fingers and sand everywhere… and I mean everywhere. Just seven QSOs in the log but happy that it worked out after all and happy that my pole and antenna survived the beating.
The Descent:
Just follow the paved path, all the way to the parking lot.
A few more photos:
View from the summit
Selfie on the summit
My car @ the visitor center
Eagle Rock in the background
Final Remarks: Don’t miss the exhibitions in the visitor center incl. the movie (on request). It gives you a nice overview of the significance of the place (Oregon Trail) and of course the fauna, flora and geology.
There is also a road to the top if you decide against hiking. During the high season, there is a bus service which allows you to hike up and take the bus down to visitor center.
Until next time….
73, Matt/KØMOS
Feel free to leave comments and/or questions below.
!! WARNING !! There are old mountaineers, and bold mountaineers… there are no old-bold mountaineers.
Hiking and mountain climbing are potentially hazardous activities particularly in Colorado with its extreme elevations. I am not accepting responsibility for any death or injury resulting from activations based on my trip reports. Proper training, experience, and personal capability assessment is required – enjoy!
W0C/FR-037 (Twin Sisters Pk. East) – 3476 m / 11428 ft
January 18, 2014
by KØMOS
This post ist just a summary of today’s observations during my activation of WØC/FR-Ø37 (Twin Sisters Pk. East). If you are interested in a complete trip report with pictures and video, check out my first activation trip report.
View of Mt. Meeker, Longspeak and Estes Cone
1) CDOT (Colorado Department of Transportation) started with the permanent repairs on US36 (which was badly damaged during the flood in September 2013). As a result, US36 between Lyons and Estes Park is a one lane road in several spots. This might delay your travels up to 30 minutes.
The first one lane section is just after you leave Pinewood Springs. There is some heavy equipment busy widening the canyon, removing the rock wall on the right side of the road. Traffic is controlled by flag persons.
The second one lane section is at mile marker eight and is controlled by a automated traffic light (Access to public land is still closed in this area, leaving several SOTA summit inaccessible from here).
I was lucky on my way up and I caught the ‘green wave’ (= no delays). Different story on my way back.
2) There was quite a sizable landslide (during the same flooding event) on the west side of the mountain where the trail goes up to the summit.
RMNP Warning Sign
There is a warning sign at the winter TH, indicating that the normally easy hike has some obstacles in store for you.
Landslide as seen from the road
The slide does not look too bad from the road but entering the area and trying to find you route up to the summit was quite challenging.
The first time you reach the slide area, there is gap in the forest of about 200 ft (60m). The forest got replaced by huge bolders and loge pole pines pile ontop of each other stuck in frozen mud. The frozen mud/ground is treacherous and finding the trail is difficult. You have to cross over this section and try to find the trail on the other side. Since it’s a switchback trail, you are doing that several times. Without a map/compass, or even better a GPS device with the tracks from my last ascent, not recommended. There are several channels carved out by the rushing water, some of them ~10 ft (3m) deep – quite an obstacle.
Here a few more pictures but without having a comparison, the scale is hard to grasp.
And last but nor least, a raw video clip.
httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LnR5B1LjNDA
At the bottom of the land slide is/was the Aspen Lodge. It looks as if none of the buildings got destroyed by the land slide. It seems that it just stopped before reaching the buildings. However, the rushing waters must have damaged the main building and probably several of the smaller cabins quite a bit.
That’s all from today, thanks for the contacts and 73, Matt/KØMOS
!! WARNING !! There are old mountaineers, and bold mountaineers… there are no old-bold mountaineers.
Hiking and mountain climbing are potentially hazardous activities particularly in Colorado with its extreme elevations. I am not accepting responsibility for any death or injury resulting from activations based on my trip reports. Proper training, experience, and personal capability assessment is required – enjoy!
My access to the mountains is still severely limited thanks to the September flooding event here in Colorado. I am going back to the Cameron Pass area to give North-Diamond Peak a try. Planning to start on 10m, hoping it is still rocking. Here the details:
Date: 23 October 2013
Time (Approx): 16:30 UTC – 17:30 UTC
Name/Reference: W0C/PR-072 - N-Diamond Peak
Location: Colorado / DM79bm
Elevation: 3605 M / 11852 ft – 6 Point(s)
Call Sign: KØMOS
Frequencies: 14.3425-ssb, 28.3750-ssb +/- QRM
146.5200-fm
QRP (5W) only.
Equip.: FT-817 and vertical Buddipole
If I have coverage, you can follow my progress via APRS.
Keep your ears/antennas pointed towards Colorado.
Thanks
Matt / KØMOS
!! WARNING !! There are old mountaineers, and bold mountaineers… there are no old-bold mountaineers.
Hiking and mountain climbing are potentially hazardous activities particularly in Colorado with its extreme elevations. I am not accepting responsibility for any death or injury resulting from activations based on my trip reports. Proper training, experience, and personal capability assessment is required – enjoy!
!! WARNING !! There are old mountaineers, and
bold mountaineers… there are no old-bold mountaineers.
Hiking and mountain climbing are potentially hazardous activities particularly in Colorado with its extreme elevations. I am not accepting responsibility for any death or injury resulting from activations based on my trip reports. Proper training, experience, and personal capability assessment is required – enjoy!
