W0C/FR-155
Deer Mountain
3052 m / 10013 ft
30 Sep 2013
11 Jan 2014
By KX0R
Deer Mountain is a popular, accessible SOTA peak near Estes Park in Rocky Mountain National Park. A maintained trail leads all the way to the summit. The one-way distance is about 2.8 miles, and the vertical gain is about 1100 vertical feet.
East Side of Deer Mountain from Castle Mountain
To reach the trail-head, get up early, drive to Estes Park, continue to the Beaver Meadows Entrance of the National Park, and either pay the fee, or show your pass. Deer Mountain is the prominent feature north of the Entrance Station. Drive west on Highway 36, beneath the massive, rocky south side of Deer Mountain, and ascend to Deer Ridge Junction just west of the Mountain. Park east of the Junction along the highway.
South Side of Deer Mountain from Eagle Cliff Mountain
The Deer Mountain Trail starts out easy as it heads up the northwest slope of the Mountain. At 9200 feet it switches back north and then climbs up the slope with a series of switchbacks. There are nice views from the trail. At about 9800 feet the grade eases, and the trail climbs southeast up to a gentle saddle. The route continues southeast and descends slightly across the broad mountain. Then the trail climbs gradually, generally south to the rocky summit. The peak is a natural overlook with impressive views.
View South to Longs Peak from Deer Mountain Summit
The Deer Mountain Trail is popular, and there are often hikers on the trail near the summit. It may be practical to set up and activate near the top, but the activation zone extends into the woods to the north, so it’s easy to set up a short distance away from the busy overlook. The forest offers shelter from the strong winds that often sweep across the mountain.
There are plenty of trees available for an antenna – or bring a pole. Deer Mountain is an excellent HF site, but VHF/UHF coverage is somewhat limited by higher peaks.
Deer Mountain Activation 30 Sep 2013
Deer Mountain Radio Gear 30 Sep 2013
Deer Mountain Activation 11 Jan 2014
Deer Mountain Activation Gear 2014
The trailhead is accessible all year, so a winter activation of Deer Mountain is practical. This is a good snowshoe trip. Don’t be fooled by easy trail conditions near the highway. There usually is much more snow on the upper parts of the trail, as well as the broad plateau above, where much snow falls and accumulates.
Deer Mountain Trail up High, 11 Jan 2014
An activation of Deer Mountain may be combined with one of several SOTA summits nearby, for a dual activation. Deer Mountain offers a fine SOTA experience for a visiting activator not familiar with the Estes Park area. The hike is a good introduction to local conditions, without the additional challenges of climbing an alpine summit.
73
George Carey Fuller
KX0R
Chiquita Mountain from Deer Mountain
High Winds on the Divide from Deer Mountain
Ypsilon and Fairchild from Deer Mountain
!! 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!
There are two routes along the Continental Divide Trail (CDT) to Stanley. The easiest route starts at the Berthoud Pass Trailhead at 11,307 feet elevation. To reach Berthoud Pass, drive west of Denver on I-70 and exit northwest toward Winter Park on US 40. Park on the east side of the highway at the Pass; there are facilities there.
Cross the highway and find the marked CDT Trail leading up the hill to the west. Follow this trail up for about 1-1/2 miles, and ascend multiple switchbacks to a high, vast area of alpine tundra at about 12,400 feet. The rest of the hike follows a relatively flat trail for more than 2 miles southwest along the Divide to Stanley Mountain.
Stanley Mountain Hike on Divide
Don’t be fooled by the false summits along the way – the actual peak is about 800 feet above Vasquez Pass, visible down a steep slope to the west. Stanley is the last high point along the trail on the Divide ridge; after the real summit, the CDT descends steeply to the southwest.
View West from Stanley Mountain to Vasquez Pass and Peak
The hike from Berthoud Pass to Stanley is 7.5 miles round-trip; the vertical ascent is about 1300 vertical feet. It takes 1-1/2 hours or more to hike from Berthoud Pass to Stanley.
The summit is a small rocky hill on the south side of the trail. Since it’s far above tree-line, be sure to bring a pole for an HF antenna. I found a convenient spot out of the wind, in the activation zone on the east side of the mountain.
Stanley Mountain 2014 Activation with 67 Foot EF Wire
Stanley Mountain Radio Gear
Stanley Mountain 2013 Activation and View Northeast
The view is vast and superb; if the weather is OK, Stanley is an easy peak to activate. It’s probably a better site for HF than for VHF/UHF, because of higher mountains around the area.
A marked trail starts on the north side of the road and climbs up the slope via switchbacks to a junction with the CDT. This is the trail I used to access Vasquez Peak W0C/SR-040, and that route is described in my report for Vasquez. From the junction with the CDT at 11,300 feet elevation, climb up the CDT about 2 miles and 1200 vertical feet northeast to Stanley Mountain. The total vertical distance from the valley trailhead to the mountain is about 2100 vertical feet, and the horizontal distance is comparable to the 3.7 mile route from Berthoud Pass.
There are two points that make the Jones Pass Trailhead worth considering for a hike to Stanley:
1) If the weather turns bad, the trail to the valley is much less exposed than the high route along the Divide.
2) On a good day it might be possible to activate both Stanley and Vasquez by using the valley trail up from the Jones Pass Road. Climb and activate Stanley first, hike back down the CDT from Stanley to 11,400 ft, and then climb the ridge route described in the report on Vasquez; or reverse the order of the summits. Note that I have not done this challenging dual activation!
There are two points that suggest using the Berthoud Pass trailhead for Stanley:
1) It is possible to do a dual activation of both Mount Flora and Stanley Mountain from the Berthoud Pass trailhead. I have done this – it was a long day, but it worked well.
2) The route to Stanley is scenic and pleasant on a good day. The trail up from the Jones Pass Road is not as scenic, and it takes more work.
Any way you climb them, there are some fine SOTA peaks near Berthoud Pass. Stanley Mountain is not difficult to climb and activate, and it offers a nice alpine experience. On a nice day, the Continental Divide is a wonderful place to go for a SOTA activation.
Always check the forecast, respect the mountain weather, and be careful above tree-line. The mountains don’t care.
View of Approaching Storm South of Stanley
Click this picture!
73
George Carey Fuller
KX0R
!! 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!
Triangle Mountain is a small, fun SOTA summit located less than a mile north of the flood-ravaged town of Glen Haven, about 6 miles northeast of Estes Park.
Triangle Mountain, Crosier Mountain, Piper Meadows, and West Crosier Mountain from Signal Mountain Trail
In September of 2013, sustained heavy rains flooded the mountains and canyons of northeast Colorado, and Glen Haven suffered extreme damage.
To reach the trail-head, first drive to Estes Park, and follow Devil’s Gulch Road 43 to Glen Haven; or drive up Highway 34, Big Thompson Canyon, from the Loveland area. The roads near Glen Haven were not re-paved in November 2014, but they were passable.
Now in March 2015 Matt K0MOS says there is heavy construction in the area, and parking is not possible. Long delays are required due to repair work.
While it might seem logical to try to climb Triangle from near Glen Haven, the land there seems to be mostly private. Drive about 1 mile down the canyon east of Glen Haven, and find what remains of the Lower North Fork Picnic Area. The day I was there, a large sign designated the spot, which was destroyed during the September 2013 floods.
Triangle Mountain Trailhead at Lower North Fork Picnic Area
This is USFS property, even though it’s no longer a nice place for a picnic.
3/4/2015: Parking may not be possible until this area is re-built.
Cross the road, go slightly east a short distance, and look carefully for a small, steep path heading up the rough slope. If you find this path, you’ll be all set for the rest of your hike. Climb the steep ridge – this is the hardest part. On the ridge crest, the path firms up, and it leads most of the way to the summit. This social trail runs right along the ridge-top, and finding it is the key to climbing Triangle. No bushwhacking is required, as long as you stick with the path.
Part way up the route, I came to a large insulated power line lying on the ground, and a phone line hanging in the pine trees. These are probably essential services temporarily routed across the mountain to Glen Haven, because the floods destroyed almost everything in the Canyons. Needless to say, don’t touch any utilities you find up there. Follow the path along the open ridge, and when it becomes faint, stay on the ridge – including going across or slightly around a couple of rocky knobs. Eventually the path steepens, and the route leads through forested meadows, right up to the summit. The views get better as you climb. The total climb is 1.5 miles each way, with about 1400 vertical feet of gain.
The summit has a classic exposed viewpoint to the west, as well as a sheltered area near the top, with several good spots to set up and activate.
Triangle Mountain Summit Cairn
Triangle Mountain Activation
There are some good trees available, so creative activations are possible with and without a pole. The view is larger and wider than I expected. Several valleys join right below at Glen Haven – this increased the volume of the flood waters – no wonder the secluded, peaceful canyon was washed out!
Triangle is a fine HF site, but its VHF-UHF coverage is probably limited by the higher terrain nearby. It looks like it could be activated in winter, since the route is mostly in the sun, but there are no bonus points on this 2-pointer.
I first tried to access Triangle from the Dunraven Trailhead, northwest of the summit, on Dunraven Glade Road 51B.
Triangle Mountain North Ridge and Dunraven Glade Trailhead
This is a logical approach, but when I headed up the NW ridge toward the summit, I found multiple “No Trespassing” signs posted on the trees. The north part of the Mountain is private, as well as the east and west sides. Follow the South Ridge route detailed above to avoid problems.
On the descent be sure to follow your original ascent route to avoid descending into the wrong area. Matt’s comments are appropriate!
Triangle can be combined with other accessible summits in the Estes Park area for a double activation.
73
George Carey Fuller
KX0R
Sunset from Triangle Mountain Trail
!! 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!
Get up really early, drive to Estes Park, continue to the Beaver Meadows Entrance of the National Park, and then take the winding Bear Lake Road up to Bear Lake. An early start is necessary in summer, partly to beat the thunderstorms, but also because the large parking lot may fill before 8:30 AM. Hike around the east side of Bear Lake and climb the marked Flattop Mountain Trail all the way up to the Divide. This popular, scenic trail has a steady, efficient grade. The upper part of the trail is high above tree-line and wide open.
Flattop Mountain Trail in Alpine Zone
There may be an easy snowfield to cross, just before the trail reaches the Divide. The main trail splits, and both forks lead to West Slope destinations, but a small side trail heads left near Flattop Mountain; it leads south and then east, up through the rocks, for about 0.6 miles to Hallett Peak. The vertical ascent on this last leg is 500 feet.
Flattop Mountain Trail Sign
Hallett Peak and Tyndall Glacier
Hallett Peak and Trail to the Top
Click here for a useful map of Rocky Mountain National Park. This shows the Flattop Mountain Trail, Hallett Peak, the Bear Lake Road, etc. Take a good topo map on the trail.
If the weather is nice, there usually are people at the summit. The activation zone is large enough that it’s possible to move off the top and set up out of the wind. When I climbed Hallett on July 20, 2014, the wind was so cold and strong that many hikers turned around – they were not prepared for such harsh conditions. The summit was downright rough, with the gusts roaring over the rocks.
Hallett Peak Summit Shelter and View South along Divide
I went down the southeast slope and found a calm spot among the rocks, away from the people and the cold. Perhaps I lost a few db of signal to the northwest, but I had a fun time, with little stress, and my pole stayed up – signals were strong, and I couldn’t tell that I wasn’t on the peak! This is a fine HF site, and OK for VHF/UHF as well.
KX0R SOTA HF Activation of Hallett Peak with 67-Foot EF Wire
In my opinion, it’s almost never worth setting up on a summit in high winds for a SOTA activation. Most summits have a “wind shadow” within the activation zone, so it’s possible to escape most of the wind and enjoy the experience. At high altitude it’s essential to avoid hypothermia and reduce stress!
Hallett Peak is a dangerous summit in bad weather. The northern Front Range is particularly windy and prone to thunderstorms; snow and serious hail are possible any month. Always check the weather forecast and watch for changing conditions up there!
Make sure to return to Bear Lake via the Flattop Mountain Trail! Unless you know the area, any other descent route east will probably be more challenging than you can deal with.
Tonohutu Creek Trail Leading Northwest Across Divide
Yellow-Bellied Marmot – Enemy of Alpine SOTA Activators
Ptarmigan near Flattop Mountain Trail
!! 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-075
South Boulder Peak
2606 M / 8549 ft
11 July 2013, First Activation
20 April 2014 Second Activation
My First Activation of South Boulder Peak was my second SOTA activation, mostly because the mountain is only a couple of miles from where I live. This prominent summit is close to the Denver-Boulder Metro Area, but it’s not a popular SOTA peak, and it’s somewhat challenging.
South Boulder and nearby Bear Peak are twins, because the sedimentary rocks within these mountains have the same sequence. This is the result of a fault that runs between them – the fault has shifted the rocks so that the sequence of layers repeats. Both mountains have resistant sedimentary summits, with older igneous rock west of each peak. Unfortunately Bear Peak is not a SOTA peak.
South Boulder and Bear Peaks from Eldorado Mountain
South Boulder and Bear Peaks have been ravaged by two recent natural disasters. In June of 2012 the lightning-caused Flagstaff Fire raced up the west side of the peaks and threatened to come across and ignite the forests of the Boulder Mountain Park. Fire-fighters stopped the fast-moving fire, but most of the trees near the summit of South Boulder Peak were killed in the intense blaze. The dead trees are mostly still standing, and much of the soil was burned as well.
Burned Forest near Bear-South Boulder Saddle
In September of 2013 a period of sustained, heavy rain occurred, and flooding occurred in most of Boulder County. The floods were severe in the mountains and in the nearby canyons. Because of the fire, the slopes of South Boulder Peak were unprotected by vegetation, and the heavy rains caused severe erosion over the entire area. In particular, the trails up Bear and South Boulder Peaks were flooded and badly damaged. These trails have been partly restored.
Flood Damage in Shadow Canyon
There are several routes up South Boulder Peak. My favorite trail starts at the South Mesa Trailhead on Eldorado Springs Drive and runs up Shadow Canyon, between Bear and South Boulder Peak.
Shadow Canyon between South Boulder and Bear Peaks
The efficient Shadow Canyon Trail runs behind the huge Devils Thumb formation, and it’s an interesting hike up to the saddle between the twin peaks. The total round-trip distance from the trail-head to the top of South Boulder Peak is about 8 miles , with about 3000 vertical feet of gain.
Shadow Canyon from South Boulder Peak
Drive to Boulder and take Highway 93 south. About 1 mile south of the city limits, turn west on Highway 170, Eldorado Springs Drive. Continue west for about 2 miles to the South Mesa Trailhead on the north side of the road. Park at the trailhead or across the highway; parking is limited, so get there early. A fee is charged for cars not registered in Boulder County.
Hike northeast up the Mesa Trail, a dirt road in this part of the Park, and follow it to the Shadow Canyon Trail, also a dirt road. Stay on the road for about a mile, and just past the second of two old cabins, cross the creek, and enter the narrow part of the Canyon. The trail becomes a path and then gets steeper. Here’s a good map of the trails.
The route up Shadow Canyon is lush and shady at first; in the morning it’s cool and pleasant. The Canyon lives up to its name if you’re there early or late in the day. The trail gains altitude rapidly, and some sections are steep and rocky.
Shadow Canyon Trail with Rock Steps
There is flood damage, but the route is not hard to follow; the path stays near the center of the canyon all the way up. Soon the Devils Thumb looms high above.
Devils Thumb from Shadow Canyon
Gradually the trail ascends above the Thumb, and there are a few short switchbacks to ease the grade. Burned trees and more flood damage appear in the upper part of the Canyon. Eventually the trail comes to a T-intersection at the burned-up saddle between Bear and South Boulder Peaks.
All the trees are dead, and a stark black ghost forest stands on the rocky slopes. Take the marked left fork and head west toward South Boulder Peak. The trail leads up through large rocks, and it’s hard to follow in spots, because much of the soil is gone. The path climbs more steeply and approaches the summit ridge, and the Peak is a short distance south over the rocks.
Burned Area Below South Boulder Peak
This was once a very beautiful spot, and there is a sense of tragedy about the place now. Some new growth has started, and in a few decades perhaps it will be nice again. I still have memories of picking blackberries up here – years ago – with one of my sons.
North Summit Ridge of South Boulder Peak
The activation zone is large, and it’s easy to set up east or north of the summit. Weather is very tricky on Bear and South Boulder Peak – these prominent summits create their own cumulus clouds and generate lightning storms! In April 2014, with clouds building, I set up about 60 feet below the summit, well down the slope, and I still had a fine activation, with just a 20-foot pole and an end-fed 67 foot wire running down the slope to the east! In July 2013 I set up north of the summit, out near the end of the ridge; I hung a 20M dipole from a dead tree and had a great first activation!
South Boulder Peak Summit
South Boulder Peak First Activation
South Boulder Peak First Activation Gear
South Boulder Peak Antenna Below Summit
There are enough visitors on South Boulder that setting up away from the popular summit is a good idea. People and dogs don’t mix well with HF antennas. This peak is so prominent that you’ll have a fun time anywhere in the activation zone. VHF/UHF coverage is impressive as well, although Bear Peak blocks the path northeast.
RED TAPE:
Please be aware that there are special rules that apply in the Boulder Mountain Park. The land west of the Bear Peak – South Boulder Peak ridge-line is part of a Habitat Conservation Area (HCA). These places are “off limits”, unless you get a special permit online. If you plan to hike in the HCA, get a permit. It is not necessary to enter the HCA to activate South Boulder Peak.
In my opinion the HCA rules are excessive and unnecessary. With South Boulder and Bear Peaks so heavily damaged by fire and floods, it’s apparent that the real enemies of the Habitat are Mother Nature Herself, not hikers and other visitors. The severe environmental damage caused by recent natural disasters is millions of times more severe than all the visitor impacts since men began to climb these mountains. I’ve been here long enough to see the whole cycle, and I think it’s incredible that we have these excessive regulations, created by well-meaning people who seek to minimize the relatively minor impact of hikers. The fires and floods have overturned their logic.
There are other interesting trails up South Boulder Peak:
1) The Fern Canyon Trail climbs the east side of Bear Peak – there is a connecting trail from Bear Peak to South Boulder Peak. A trailhead at the top of Lehigh Drive in the Table Mesa neighborhood of Boulder provides access to the Shanahan Ridge Trail, which leads west to Fern Canyon; or start at the NCAR parking area.
2) The Bear Peak West Ridge Trail climbs Bear Peak’s back side. This trail connects to the Bear Canyon Trail. Start at the NCAR parking area, or at the top of Lehigh Drive to access Bear Canyon.
3) A nice loop hike connects the Fern Canyon climb of Bear and South Boulder with the Shadow Canyon Trail. After climbing South Boulder, descend most of Shadow Canyon; at the upper cabin in Shadow Canyon, follow the Shadow Canyon North trail east, across a low ridge. This short-cut connects to the popular Mesa Trail, which leads back toward the Lehigh and NCAR trailheads.
4) It’s possible to do a dual activation of Green Mountain and South Boulder Peak, starting at the Green Mountain – West Ridge Trailhead near the high point of Flagstaff Road. There are good connecting trails all the way. The total distance is around 10-12 miles, and the vertical gain is about 2800 feet. The low point is at 7200 feet in upper Bear Canyon. This would take most of a good day, as well as plenty of water.
However you climb it, South Boulder Peak is an exciting, prominent SOTA peak with good access. It should have a long list of activations!
73
George Carey Fuller
KX0R
Rain Shower West of South Boulder Peak
View South from South Boulder Peak
Devils Thumb from South Boulder Peak
View of Continental Divide West of South Boulder Peak
Pasque Flowers near Shadow Canyon Trail in April
!! 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-148
Buckeye Mountain
3091 M / 10140 ft
Aug 10, 2013 First Activation
Jan 25, 2014
Buckeye Mountain is a prominent sub-alpine summit between South Boulder Creek and Middle Boulder Creek, about three miles southwest of Nederland. The peak is on the south side of the Eldora Mountain Resort; access is tricky because of private land.
Buckeye Mountain West Side
Some of the Nordic trails controlled by the Eldora Resort lead close to the summit of Buckeye, so the easiest and best way to activate this peak is to climb it using those Nordic trails! This wild and beautiful mountain offers a fun, unique winter activation.
To climb Buckeye, start by driving to Nederland, and follow Highways 119, 130, and 140 about 3 miles west to the Eldora Mountain Resort. To avoid crowds and parking problems, get there early. Park on the east side of large parking area and walk over to the Nordic Center, east of the main ski area. Walk inside and purchase a day pass from the friendly folks, and be sure to get a copy of the trail map.
The groomed ski trails and the snowshoe paths overlap somewhat, and a map is needed in order to navigate this complex Nordic recreation area. Skiers don’t want snowshoe tracks on their groomed trails, so separate snowshoe trails are provided and marked.
The Eldora Nordic Trail Map provides much key information required to approach Buckeye, but there are a few points to note:
1) The Nordic map is upside down – south is at the top. Compass directions are not shown on the map, and there is no distance scale either! Just remember that Buckeye is south of the parking area, and you’ll be going uphill to the south. When comparing to a GPS or topo map, turn the Eldora map upside down to reduce confusion.
2) The Nordic map does not show Buckeye or the route to the summit. Good navigation is required for the last part of the climb. You must leave the marked trail, travel on unmaintained trails, and climb off-trail through the woods to the peak.
3) Although the lower parts of the Nordic area are busy with skiers and hikers on snowshoes, few people visit the upper trails near the top of Buckeye. Almost no one summits Buckeye in winter – you’re on your own up there! The return trip could be tricky if you make a navigation error.
4) The Google map on the SOTA page for Buckeye shows the Buckeye summit incorrectly – the summit is about 1000 feet south of where it’s shown – this is obvious from the contours. The Google map also doesn’t show any of the trails up there.
I recommend using snowshoes for this expedition. If you’re good on Nordic skis, go for it! The last part of the ascent is off-trail and somewhat rough, and snowshoes are useful. If the snow is not too deep, it certainly would be OK to ski most of the way and then hike to the summit.
From the Nordic Center, ski or snowshoe generally south up toward Buckeye. Depending on whether you skiing or snowshoeing, you will use differently named trails to ascend the first half mile or so. Then either climb via the eastern Rising Sun Trail or one of the western trails (Setting Sun, or Lone Star). You need to end up at the southern Lone Star Loop, shown as a red snowshoe route at the top of the Nordic Center map (south).
There are unmaintained trails south of the Nordic trails, off the Nordic map, and these trails provide access close to the Buckeye summit. I climbed up the Rising Sun trail to the intersection with the marked cutoff to the Tennessee Mountain Cabin. Buckeye is somewhat visible once you get up there. I headed south along an unmaintained trail, and after about 1/2 mile, I reached a saddle at 10,000 feet, only about 1000 feet west of Buckeye’s summit. Then I left the trail and headed for the northwest ridge of Buckeye. It gets a bit steep and rocky near the top, but it’s no problem to reach the peak.
Off-trail Route to Buckeye
The summit is a rocky ridge with many live and dead trees. The activation zone is large, and there are several places where you can set up and get on the air. I went to the eastern part of the ridge to minimize wind. On a calm, sunny day the views east, south, and west are spectacular! Be prepared for wind on top.
Click this Image!
View Southwest from Buckeye Mountain
I didn’t take a pole, because I wanted to be inconspicuous on the Nordic trails. There are plenty of trees on the summit ridge that can be used to support a wire for a successful HF activation – a pole is unnecessary.
Buckeye Activation Site and Almost Invisible Antenna in the Trees
Buckeye Activation Radio Gear
Buckeye is a near-perfect radio site, with a clear shot in most directions. It’s not ideal for VHF/UHF, but it does have a view out across the plains. The summit is wild, with no path and little evidence of visitors at the top. Please treat this place with due respect.
View of James Peak Southwest from Buckeye
The route to the top of Buckeye is not signed or posted. There are several trails in the area, and they appear to be open to the public. There is no prohibition on leaving the Eldora Nordic trails and climbing Buckeye Mountain. This summit is difficult to access without using the Eldora Resort trails. All things considered, climbing Buckeye by way of the Eldora Nordic area is a fun challenge. I got good value for my Nordic ticket on January 25, 2014. If you try it, pick a day with a good weather forecast, get an early start, and take a GPS device with maps – and a topo map.
This would be a tough trip with a lot of soft, fresh snow. The upper part of the Nordic area is not groomed, and even with snowshoes, access could be difficult if the snow is deep. On old consolidated snow, the off-trail route is easy; the unmaintained trails are easy to find, because people use them occasionally.
Unmaintained Trail West of Buckeye 1
Unmaintained Trail West of Buckeye 2
Unmaintained Trail West of Buckeye 3
The route described here is about 2 miles each way, with a vertical gain of about 800 vertical feet. It took me less than two hours for the ascent with snowshoes and good snow conditions, including breaks and navigation. The descent was about 1 hour and 10 minutes.
Return to the Nordic area the way you came. If you lose the route, all you have to do is to head north until you meet the Lonestar Loop. Then return to the Nordic area. The vaious trails are marked clearly at the lower elevations. As the crow files, it’s less than 1.5 miles from Buckeye’s summit to the Eldora parking lot.
73
George Carey Fuller
KX0R
James Peak from Buckeye Mountain
Eldora Ski Area from Buckeye
Arapaho Peak from Buckeye
Eldora Nordic Area Trail Sign
!! 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-019
Sundance Mountain
3800 M / 12466 ft
June 6, 2014
Sundance Mountain is an easy alpine summit in Rocky Mountain National Park. This peak is about 1/3 mile from Trail Ridge Road, but the hike is twice that far from the convenient parking along the highway. On a good day this is a fine spot for a SOTA activation, with spectacular views in all directions.
Sundance Mountain from Part Way Up
Start by driving to Estes Park and continue into Rocky Mountain National Park; pay the fee or show your pass; then drive up Trail Ridge Road and ascend above timberline. Look for the Forest Canyon Overlook on the south side of the road at about 11,700 feet elevation. Drive north of this overlook about 1/3 mile and find an unmarked parking spot off the road at about 11,850 feet. Sundance stands to the north, on the east side of the road.
There is no trail to the summit. Hike northeast across rocks and tundra to the saddle east of Sundance Mountain. There may be snow early in the season, and when the snow is melting, the first part of the route may be marshy. Climb the easy slope up to the top. The hike is about 2/3 mile and 500 vertical feet. The broad peak is rocky and exposed to wind, but some shelter can be found in the lee of the summit. Take a pole for an HF antenna, and plan on guying it to rocks. Sundance is an excellent HF site, and the peak provides some VHF/UHF coverage of the plains and the Denver Metro area.
Sundance Activation with Cumulus Developing
There are marmots – large alpine rodents – on Sundance. These curious animals have little fear of us.
Marmot – Enemy of Alpine SOTA Activators
They seem attracted to ropes, and they sometimes chew on antenna support lines. While I was on Sundance, a large marmot saw my pole support lines and began to gnaw on one of them while I was on the air. I had to take a quick break to distract the pest. In case of marmots, remember that all wildlife is protected in the National Park!
Please respect these alpine summits, and don’t risk your life trying to activate when weather threatens. A cloud with a dark bottom is potentially deadly. At least two people were killed by lightning along Trail Ridge Road during 2014 – and they were well below the top of Sundance.
The day I activated Sundance, I had planned to activate Trail Ridge as well; by the time I hiked back to my car, the clouds were so dark that another activation was out of the question!
Sundance View North along Trail Ridge (Click this Image!)
With good weather, an activation of Sundance can be combined with other nearby summits, such as Trail Ridge, Deer Mountain, or Mount Ida. The secret is to get an early start, to beat the tourists and the storms.
73
George Carey Fuller
KX0R
Sundance View North to Medicine Bow Range
Sundance View West Across Forest Canyon to Mount Ida
Sundance Summit and Longs Peak (14,255 ft)
Clark Peak (12,951 ft) from Sundance Mountain
Sundance View North to Snowy Range in Wyoming
!! 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-123
Trail Ridge
3766 m / 12355 ft
June 20, 2014
By KX0R
Trail Ridge is one of the most accessible alpine summits in Rocky Mountain National Park. Located a short distance above a busy highway, with convenient parking, it offers a spectacular high activation. Having a fun SOTA activation on Trail Ridge depends on good planning and timing.
Trail Ridge Summit from Gore Range Overlook on Trail Ridge Road
Drive into Rocky Mountain National Park, pay the fee or show your pass, and continue up Trail Ridge Road; this paved alpine highway is usually open from Memorial Day to early November. This road often has heavy traffic during tourist season, because it provides easy access to alpine terrain with amazing views. Trail Ridge is located near the summit of Trail Ridge Road – this is along the northern part of the Road, before it begins the long descent to the western side of the National Park.
I parked at the Gore Range Overlook, about ½ mile northwest of the summit, on the west side of the road. While it is possible to park closer to the peak, the road is very busy in that section. The hike from the Overlook is about 0.8 miles, with a vertical ascent of only 300 vertical feet. There is no marked trail, and the route is a simple climb over rocky tundra. Try to walk on the rocks to minimize damage to the delicate tundra plants. Even better, do an early activation in June, and walk mostly over the snow.
Trail Ridge View North
Trail Ridge is a rocky bump on a long ridge. The Activation Zone is large, but there’s little shelter from wind, other than the ridge itself. On a calm, sunny day in summer, Trail Ridge can be heavenly; but in an hour or two, the weather can turn deadly, with lightning, wind, and cold rain. An early start is wise – both to avoid the crowds of slow-driving tourists, and to beat the storm clouds that often form. A pole is necessary to support a wire antenna.
The peak is a near-perfect radio site, with low noise and a clear view in all directions. The Plains are visible, and UHF/VHF contacts are possible across a huge area. There are marmots living near the summit – these large rodents sometimes intrude into an activation, seeking food – or a piece of string from a guy line.
The day I activated Trail Ridge, I set up just east of the summit to minimize the west wind, and so I couldn’t hear or see the busy road. I set up my Black Widow pole and tied it to a couple of rocks. I ran my 67-foot wire west, into the wind, to stabilize the system.
Trail Ridge Activation Antenna
I was in the middle of a busy CW activation, when I realized I was looking at 30 or more elk, 1500 feet down in a meadow in the Fall River Canyon. The view across the valley to 13,514 foot Ypsilon Peak also enhanced the experience. This a really nice place to operate from – if you time it right!
Trail Ridge Summit View to Mummy Range
Be prepared for cold or windy weather on Trail Ridge at any time of year. If you’re not familiar with the area, use the National Weather Service Point Forecast on the online topo map of Trail Ridge to get a reasonably accurate forecast for that part of the National Park.
Trail Ridge can be combined with other nearby summits – including Sundance Mountain and Mount Ida – for a dual activation. I also activated Mount Ida on June 20, 2014, and with the extra-long hike required for Ida, it was an amazing day!
Activating Trail Ridge is a great introduction to alpine SOTA operating!
Good luck and 73,
George Carey Fuller
KX0R
!! 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!
To reach the trailhead, enter Rocky Mountain National Park, drive up Trail Ridge Road, and continue to Milner Pass on the Continental Divide. Milner Pass is at the southwest end of Poudre Lake, at an altitude of 10,759 feet. The road is usually open from late May to about November 1, depending on the snow.
Some navigating is required to hike this trail. Start up the trail next to the southwest shore of the Lake and head toward Mount Ida. The climbs up the Continental Divide ridge south of Milner Pass and gains altitude quickly. Avoid any fork that heads northeast toward Forest Canyon Pass. Soon the trail climbs above tree-line, moderates, and heads southeast toward Mount Ida. The trail stays below and west of the ridge-top for a mile or more; farther south it climbs close to the ridge-top and runs there for about three more miles.
Mount Ida Trail with Ida at Right – July 2013
Mount Ida in the Distance – July 2013
The total round-trip distance from Milner Pass to Mount Ida and back is about 9.5 miles; the total ascent is about 2200 vertical feet.
When I went up there June 20, 2014, I misjudged conditions, because trails on the east side of the Park were mostly open and snow-free. I found the trail at Milner Pass under several feet of snow and essentially impassible without snowshoes. With my snowshoes at home, I drove to a point near the Alpine Visitor Center, hiked the snowy trail southwest to Forest Canyon Pass, and then hiked over the ridge-tops of the Divide to the Mount Ida trail.
Mount Ida Long Hike Route June 2014
There was little snow up high, so this long, strong route worked out OK; I found myself on top of Ida – all alone in the high alpine wilderness! The round trip from near the Alpine Visitors Center was just over 13 miles. If I go up there again in June, I’ll remember my snowshoes!
If the weather is good, Mount Ida provides an exciting SOTA activation. The summit is rocky, and the activation zone is large. Some convenient rock outcrops are available for holding a pole, or for tying the far end of the wire. The flat area northwest of the summit is a good spot to set up.
June 2014 SOTA Activation on Ida
Mount Ida Radio Gear 2014
June 2014 SOTA Activation Antenna to Ida Summit
The only problem – besides wind – is that there are marmots – these large rodents sometimes seek out rope or Dacron antenna lines and sabotage the activation.
Note that in the Summitpost Link on the SOTA page – this is a good article – the writer suggests hiking to Mount Ida from Bear Lake as a possible alternative to starting at Milner Pass. The journey from Bear Lake is an extreme hike, with much of the route exposed to weather for about seven miles each way along the high Divide. Only hikers in top physical condition, with plenty of high-altitude experience, should attempt that route – and then only with adequate gear and preparation for the conditions. The round-trip distance from Bear Lake is well over 20 miles, and much of that is off-trail and above tree-line!
Mount Ida South along Divide
Even on a sunny day, Mount Ida can be very windy – be prepared. The high, spectacular trail along the Divide is wonderful on a nice summer day, but it’s dangerous if storm clouds build up. An early start is a good idea. Avoid this area if thunderstorms are forecast, and be prepared to head down if the weather threatens. There is no good way off the high trail along the Divide, so don’t get caught up there!
73
George Carey Fuller
KX0R
Azure Lake, Inkwell Lake, and Mount Julian from Ida
Longs Peak from Ida
Mount Ida View Southwest to Grand Lake June 2014
Mount Ida Southwest to Grand Lake July 2013
Mount Ida Summit View North
Cornices along the Divide Route
Jackstraw Mountain and Never Summer Mountains from Ida
View North along Divide from Ida
Alpine Flowers on Ida
!! 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!
Please see K0MOS’s excellent report on Crosier Mountain for details on the trailheads, access, etc. Much of my report here deals with the dual activation of both summits.
Crosier and West Crosier Mountains are twin summits located several miles north of Estes Park, near Glen Haven. With an early start and good weather, both mountains can be climbed and activated in one expedition. These two peaks make a good 8-point SOTA day.
Crosier Mountain View – West Crosier and Mummy Peak
There are three public trails to Crosier Mountain. These trails, and most roads and trails nearby, were closed after the 2013 floods. I chose the Crosier Rainbow Trail 981, because I had information that it was open, and that the parking was OK. Good parking is available at the “gravel pit” trailhead along road 43, on the south side of the road, about 1.4 miles down the creek from Glen Haven. There are signs at the start of the trail.
Rainbow Trail-head and Signs near Gravel-Pit
Take plenty of water. Climb up moderately steep, efficient trail 918 about 2 miles to a T-junction with Trail 931.
Sign at T-Junction of Trails 918 and 931
Turn southeast at the signed trail junction, and continue about a mile to the signed junction with the Summit Trail. Turn right, west, and climb about ½ mile up the southeast side of the mountain. The trail is pretty good. The summit is large, with some nice rocks right at the peak.
Crosier Summit and View West to RMNP
I set up about 100 feet southeast of the peak, at a convenient open spot with nice views. I ran my 67 foot end-fed wire southeast across the large meadow, and tied it off with a long Dacron string to an elevated tree on the far side. This was an excellent antenna!
Crosier Mountain Activation Site
A few people climb Crosier. There is private space in the woods on the northwest side of the summit. The southwest side looks down over 1000 vertical feet. There are nice views, and the mountain top is wonderful on a good day!
To connect with West Crosier, it’s tempting to descend the west ridge and find a way directly down to the saddle between the two mountains. There are cliffs and huge rocks on the west side of Crosier, and it’s steep. There probably is a workable route, but it may require dropping down steep, rocky gullies between the rock formations. There is no way to find it quickly from above. If you go too far north, there is a large, dense lodge-pole forest on the north and northwest side of Crosier that is surely Hell. It extends around to the northeast side and even along the trail. It looks difficult to penetrate.
West Side of Crosier Mountain from West Crosier Mountain
I decided to take the “better safe than sorry” approach to West Crosier.
I followed the summit trail back down to the junction with the main trail 931, turned northwest, and followed 931 back to the signed junction with Rainbow Trail 981, and then I continued down 931 about ¼ mile to Piper Meadows. This is a huge, beautiful meadow with open views to the northwest.
Piper Meadows View North
The trail through the Meadows leads down to Glen Haven. At Piper Meadows there is a sign for the H BAR G Ranch, which is about 1-1/2 miles to the southwest.
H-BAR-G Ranch Sign at Piper Meadows
Piper Meadows Trail to H-Bar-G Ranch
Follow the small trail southwest toward the H BAR G Ranch – walk only about 100 yards past the sign; then turn southeast, uphill, and climb up through the meadow and into the woods. Find the remains of an old abandoned road that ascends southeast, all the way to the Crosier – West Crosier Saddle. This road follows a small creek-gully that descends from the Saddle. The road is just east of the gully. Remember that you want to go to the Saddle, and you’ll have no trouble finding this obvious road.
Old Secret Road to West Crosier Saddle
It’s an easy hike up to the Saddle. The road ends there at a teepee and fence, but nothing is posted or signed. This is beautiful country!
Gateway at Crosier-West Crosier Saddle
Follow the ridge southwest from the saddle – look for the remains of a barb-wire fence – there is a decent trail that leads up southwest, on the southeast side of the ridge, right along the old fence line. It’s still used occasionally by horses. Follow this trail about 1/3 mile, climbing about 300 vertical feet, and then head west, directly up toward the peak. If you go to an obvious fence corner along the trail, head up from there – you’ll climb right to the top. There are several false summits to the southwest – the real peak is the northeast knob on the big hill.
West Crosier Summit from Crosier Summit
It takes only 1-1/2 to 2 hours to hike from Crosier summit to West Crosier Summit via the route detailed here. This may be better than the short-cut down the tricky, steep west side of Crosier. No matter how you go, aim for the saddle between the two peaks. Since there’s a trail up the southeast side of the ridge from the saddle, that’s where you need to be. The summits of both peaks are in the National Forest, and the spots that touch private land are not posted or otherwise marked. Very few people visit West Crosier, but it’s a perfect SOTA peak with nice big trees on top, including a large ponderosa pine right on the summit. There are rocks for shelter from wind, sunny spots, and it has just the right amount of open space for running an antenna without trouble from too many trees. The view of Crosier is impressive. This summit delivers a private, pleasant activation!
West Crosier Summit
West Crosier Activation Setup
West Crosier Radio Gear
Go back to the Rainbow Trail 981 the same way you came to West Crosier. Go back up trail 931 to the junction with 981, and head back down to the trailhead. The total distance for doing both peaks is about 10.5 miles, with about 3400 vertical feet of total ascent. With good weather and enough water, activating both summits is no problem. Only a few hundred feet of easy off-trail “bush whacking” are required, thanks to the unmarked routes described here. The visit to Piper Meadows is one of the best parts of the hike, and it would be a shame to miss it!
It’s possible to do this trip more efficiently from Glen Haven via Trail 931, if there is access to the trailhead with parking. This trail was closed after the 2013 flood disaster, but perhaps it has been re-opened. It’s slightly easier and shorter than the Rainbow Trail route.
Here’s the GPS Track PDF Image for both Crosier summits:
Trail-head Map Showing Crosier Trails and Private Land
North Ridge of West Crosier from Piper Meadows
Rainbow Trail Partway Up
!! 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!
