W0C/SP-118
Spinney Mountain
2903 m / 9524 ft
Nov 9, 2015
Oct 16, 2016 with N0TA
By KX0R
Spinney Mountain is a prominent, fun summit in South Park.
Key Points:
• Spinney Mountain State Park
• No marked trail
• Some route finding and navigation
• Excellent HF site
• Incredible views of South Park
• No access in winter
• ~ 8700 feet trailhead elevation
• ~ 825 vertical feet to the summit
• ~ 1.8 miles round trip
Spinney Mountain, North End, from Sulphur Mountain
Spinney Mountain State Park is in South Park, about 15 miles west of Lake George, and about 10 miles southeast of Hartsel. The main feature of the Park is the large reservoir, which stores water from the South Platte River, and offers high-quality fishing.
Driving Directions:
• Drive to South Park
• From Colorado Springs via Highway 24, or from Denver via Highway 285
• Continue to the junction of Highway 24 and CR 23, about 4.4 miles west of Wilkerson Pass, and 10.5 miles east of Hartsel
• Drive south on CR 23 for 2.8 miles
• Turn right on Road 59, and drive 1.1 miles northwest
• Turn left, south, into the State Park
• Buy a pass at the entrance – a State Park pass is required to use this park.
• Follow the gravel road 2.2 miles south along the east side of the lake.
It’s important to park at the last small parking spot near the lake, just north of the large parking area at the southern boat ramp. Some repeat driving on the one-way roads may be needed to figure out which parking spot is correct – please read the next part carefully:
A large fence runs along the base of Spinney Mountain, about 100 to 200 yards east of the road. This fence is posted only with signs that prohibit hunting. However, just in the area near the dam, near the southeast corner of the lake, there’s additional posting, with no access to the land east of the road. If you go down there and then head back north, along the exit road toward the entrance area, look carefully at the fence to spot a stile. This stile allows passage through the fence for some game animals, so they’re not prevented from migrating. The stile is located in a draw about 200 yards east of the road. It’s important to locate this stile; then park in the parking area near the lake and west of this stile. Note that parking is prohibited along the roads!
A game trail leads east from the parking area and most of the way to the stile. In 2015 the stile was not posted with any signs, but there was a game camera pointing east, positioned to photograph animals crossing the stile. In 2016 there were still no signs, but the camera was not there. Cross through the fence at the stile, and hike east and up toward the summit. Please don’t try to cross the fence anywhere except at the stile.
Spinney Mountain Stile in Fence
There are several ways to ascend Spinney Mountain – I chose to hike up the ridge northwest of the summit; the ridges seem easier than the gullies. Several good game trails are available.
Spinney Mountain, Lower Part
Spinney Mountain, West Ridge to Reservoir
From the summit ridge, climb to the barren top of the north summit. Remains of a survey station lie near a large pile of rocks. There’s a jar with climbers’ names on a paper pad. Spinney Mountain has awesome views of South Park and numerous alpine peaks around this high basin.
Spinney Mountain Summit
Spinney Mountain Triangulation Station
The activation zone along the ridge has few trees, so plan on putting up a pole and guying it to the rocks. It can be windy, but it’s easy to find shelter behind the summit. Be careful of the cactus plants growing on the ground, as well as the wires used to guy the old survey station.
Spinney Mountain SOTA Activation Oct 16, 2016
Spinney Mountain is very prominent in all directions; activating it is like being on an 800 foot tower! Little development is nearby, and the HF noise level is low; this is a fine HF site. VHF/UHF coverage is limited mostly to South Park. My HF activations up there were fun:
On Nov 9, 2015, I logged 42 CW contacts on 7, 10, 14, 18, and 21 MHz.
On Oct 16, 2016, I logged 42 CW contacts on 10 and 14 MHz, including a summit-to-summit contact with K6HPX/P on W7A/CS-038, and a DX contact with EA2IF in Spain.
Note that the State Park closes for the winter – usually this occurs in early November. Check to be sure it’s open before heading out there. In the fall be cautious of possible hunters in the land east of the Park. I saw no evidence of hunting when I was there on Nov 9, but I saw many deer. Please read and follow the park rules.
It’s possible to combine an activation of Spinney Mountain with nearby Sulphur Mountain W0C/SP-121 about three miles to the north, as well as with many other SOTA summits in South Park.
73
George
KX0R
Spinney Mountain Photo Gallery:
Spinney Mountain – Northwest Ridge
Spinney Mountain Reservoir
Spinney Mountain SOTA Activation Nov 9, 2015
Spinney Mountain SOTA Radio Gear
Spinney Mountain Cactus
!! 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-080
Sheep Mountain
2576m / 8450 ft
Oct 7, 2015
Sep 29, 2016
By KX0R
Key points:
• City of Loveland and Roosevelt National Forest
• Good maintained trail to the top
• Easily accessible trailhead – eventually – closed now – see below!!
• Moderate hike with considerable elevation gain
• Beautiful trip through varied terrain
• Plenty of wildlife
• Pleasant forested summit with no fire damage
• Starting elevation ~ 5770 feet
• ~ 9.4 miles round trip
• ~ 2800 total vertical feet of gain
Thanks to Brian N0BCB for first activating W0C/FR-080. This aroused my curiosity about the big mountain. When I first looked at the Google map, I assumed that there was no trail. Eventually I learned otherwise…
The USFS Round Mountain Trail # 969 leads all the way to the summit of Sheep Mountain. This is a National Recreation Trail; it was built mostly by the CCC in the 1930’s. The upper part is called the Summit Adventure Trail. This is a well-maintained hiking trail with excellent access; the USFS says use is light.
Driving Directions:
• Drive several miles west of Loveland on Highway 34.
• The trailhead is about 4 miles west of the Dam Store
• In the canyon, pass the closed entrance to the Loveland Viestenz-Smith Mountain Park on the right
• Look on the left for a sign
• Immediately turn left onto a marked dirt road leading into the parking area
• There’s space for about 20 cars
• Parking is free
*** In 2017 the Big Thompson Canyon Highway 34, including the area near this trailhead, is closed due to highway re-construction. Check online before going up there!!
Sheep Mountain – Round Mountain Trailhead Sign
This trailhead isn’t labeled on Google Maps, and the Round Mountain Trail is not shown at all!
The Hike:
• Start up the trail on the Foothills Nature Trail, which is property of Loveland.
• After ¼ mile, the Round Mountain Trail splits off to the left at a sign.
• At first the trail climbs gently east, across a steep, north-facing slope
• Then it climbs progressively up the northeast ridge of Sheep Mountain.
• The route leads southwest through some interesting rock formations
Sheep Mountain, Trail through the Rocks
Sheep Mountain – View from Saddle toward Summit
• At 7380 feet, it turns south and contours into a pleasant valley
• The path ascends the head of the valley to the saddle southeast of Sheep Mountain
• From the saddle, the trail climbs 1000 vertical feet, up several switchbacks to the summit.
Sheep Mountain Trail near Summit
Sheep Mountain Summit Cairn
The only water on the trail is a spring along the trail in the valley, at about 7370 feet. There’s a warning there that the water must be treated to be safe to drink. Carry enough water, or use a pump-filter or other means to purify the available water.
The forested summit is large and relatively flat – the Activation Zone is spacious! There are plenty of pine trees for supporting a pole or a wire. I set up my gear about 100 feet north of the summit, in a pleasant spot at the edge of a small meadow. It was quiet, and I saw no one while I was up there.
Sheep Mountain – KX0R SOTA Activaton near Summit
Sheep Mountain – KX0R SOTA Radio Gear
There’s no development or radio equipment on the mountain. Sheep Mountain is an ideal radio site, with no close sources of RF noise, and it’s not blocked by any higher mountains nearby. This peak has pretty good UHF/VHF coverage of much of the greater Denver metro area, as well other cities along the northern Front Range.
My HF SOTA activations on Sheep Mountain have been easy and fun! With an ATS-3B radio, an end-fed wire, and only 5 watts output:
October 7, 2015, I spent more than an hour on the air, and I logged 25 CW contacts on 7, 10, 14, and 18 MHz. This session included one summit-to-summit (S2S) contact.
September 29, 2016, I logged 44 CW contacts on 7, 10, and 14 MHz. This session included two S2S contacts.
Later I enjoyed exploring the top of the mountain and looking for views. This forested peak has no wide vistas, but dramatic views can be found at nearby crags.
Sheep Mountain – View East
Even though the USFS classifies the Round Mountain Trail as “most difficult”, this is a relative rating. It’s a moderately stiff trail, and it might be better to skip it on a hot day – or start really early. This is a fine climb for experienced hikers with light gear, but it might be arduous for those not used to the altitude, or carrying too much weight. It’s also too long for a good family hike. Unless you’re a SOTA activator, the summit’s slightly disappointing. I thought the hike was really nice in early October!
Of these, Palisade is the easiest peak to combine with Sheep Mountain for a dual activation.
Sheep Mountain – Palisade Summit across the Canyon
Sheep Mountain is a fine SOTA peak with a convenient trailhead. Activators who like to hike with light equipment will enjoy this peak. This is another Colorado two-point summit that comes with lots of exercise and few hassles.
73
George
KX0R
Sheep Mountain, at Sunset from Triangle 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!
W0C/FR-084
Palisade Mountain
2519 m / 8264 ft
Aug 3, 2015
By KX0R
Palisade Mountain is everything its name suggests! It towers high above the Big Thompson Canyon west of Loveland, and its cliffs look impossible to climb. Until I learned about the road up the back side, I avoided this prominent mass of rock.
Key points:
• Roosevelt National Forest
• Near Drake, west of Loveland
• Easy hike
• Maintained trail leads almost to the top
• Little development near the summit
• 2WD dirt road to the tiny trailhead
• ~2.5 miles round-trip
• ~860 vertical feet
• The climb takes less than an hour
Palisade Mountain from Round Mountain Trail
Driving Directions:
• Drive to Highway 34 and follow it west into the mountains.
• Continue several miles to the town of Drake. This area was heavily damaged in the 2013 floods, and reconstruction is underway.
• Check online about access before going up there
• Turn right on Road 43 at Drake
• Drive about ¼ miles to Storm Mountain Road.
• Turn right, north, and follow the steep 2WD road up a side-canyon.
• At about 7000 feet elevation, the road reaches a plateau and a mountain subdivision.
• Turn right on Palisade Mountain Drive and drive east about 0.3 mile.
• Turn right, south, on Snowtop Drive.
• Follow Snowtop up a small valley about a mile to the trailhead.
• The trailhead is west of a sharp bend in the road, on the south side, at a USFS gate.
• This spot is on the west ridge at about 7400 feet.
Palisade Mountain – Road near Trailhead
Palisade Mountain Trailhead
Snowtop Drive is heavily posted with signs, and parking is allowed only at the tiny trailhead. The trailhead is so small that there’s space for only two or three vehicles. Posted private land is immediately west of the trailhead. This place is mostly used by local residents. In order to park here, avoid weekends, and/or get up there really early.
The Hike:
• Hike past the gate at the trailhead
• Follow a jeep road a short distance east
• An unmarked trail leads east through a meadow toward the mountain
• The route climbs northeast toward the peak
Palisade Mountain Trail near Beginning
The trail ascends around the forested north side of the western sub-peak, avoiding cliffs and steep slopes.
Palisade Mountain Hike, North of Western Sub-peak
At about 8000 feet, the route reaches the saddle between the sub-peak and the summit.
Palisade Mountain Maintained Trail
• The path ascends east and then north, through a rocky section
• Follow the cairns toward the summit, for about ¼ mile from the saddle to the top.
• Scramble up a short, steep, rocky gully – there really is no trail here
• Cairns mark the route – it’s not difficult.
The SOTA activation zone is all granite, but there’s plenty of room to set up HF radio equipment. A pole makes it easy to erect a wire antenna, but it would be possible to improvise with the small trees instead. This is a fine HF site! Palisade is extremely prominent, with no higher peaks close enough to affect HF propagation. It’s probably an excellent VHF/UHF site as well, being farther east than most other peaks in the area. It has an almost clear view out across the plains, as well as south and north across the greater Denver metro area.
Palisade Mountain – View East, Down the Canyon to the Plains
There’s very little HF radio noise on Palisade Mountain. The local houses are far enough away that the noise level is not elevated much. I had a pleasant HF activation on Palisade’s summit. I set up right on top, and the weather was stable.
Palisade Mountain KX0R SOTA Activation
Palisade Mountain SOTA Activation Radio Gear
Summary of radio contacts:
28 CW Contacts 10, 14, 18, 21 Mhz One S2S One DX – EA2LU
Palisade Mountain’s high local prominence makes it a target for lightning. Higher mountains to the west generate thunder storms in spring and summer; it’s essential to climb Palisade on dry days, or early enough to avoid storms.
Palisade Mountain – Summit Knobs
Palisade is low enough that it should be relatively accessible in winter. If the road’s open, and if parking’s available at the trailhead, the route up the mountain would not be difficult with snowshoes, etc.
73
George
KX0R
Palisade Mountain View Southwest to Longs Peak
!! 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!
• Pike National Forest
• Good trail most of the way
• No marked route or trail to the summit
• Navigation and route-finding required
• Fine HF site
• Friendly meadows with alpine flowers
• ~14.4 miles round-trip (~3 hours each way)
• ~3100 vertical feet
Kataka Mountain South Side
Driving Directions:
• Drive west from Denver on Highway 285
• About ½ mile before Crow Hill, turn right on Road 43A – this becomes Road 43
• Continue on Road 43 up the Deer Creek Valley for several miles, to the end of the road
• The last section of the road is unpaved but passable in most cars
• Park at the Deer Creek Trailhead at 9300 feet
Kataka Hike – Deer Creek Trailhead
Kataka Mountain – Deer Creek Trailhead
Summary of the route:
• Hike the marked Rosalie Trail 603 all the way up to the saddle at about 11600 feet
• At the sign go left on Three Mile Trail 635
• Continue south to the willows east of Kataka
• Hike through or around the willows near the south side
• Climb up the tundra on the east side of Kataka
• Continue to the summit near the south end of the mountain
Additional details:
Most of the route is in the Mount Evans Wilderness. This is a protected area with special rules. There is no charge for parking or entry. The Rosalie Trail follows Deer Creek up a beautiful valley, all the way to the alpine tundra.
Kataka Mountain – Deer Creek
This is a high-quality hike on its own. An early start is advised, especially if thunderstorms are in the forecast.
Kataka is visible above tree-line; at the sign where the trail splits, the dome-shaped mountain is obvious to the southwest.
Kataka Mountain – Trail Junction
Kataka Mountain – Southeast Side
It’s not far to the willows east of Kataka. The southern part of the willow area has gaps and paths through the bushes; avoid the dense northern part. This area looks like it would be wet in early summer, but it was no problem July 11, 2015.
The summit is about 700 vertical feet above the saddle near the willows. There’s no trail up to the top. The climb up the tundra is not difficult – stay north of the steep, rocky slopes on the southeast side. The Google satellite image shows many key details. The northeast slopes also may provide a good route.
Kataka is a massive mountain with a large, rounded top. The summit surprised me – it was very beautiful, with lush vegetation and many alpine flowers. It’s a friendly place in good weather. There’s little evidence of other visitors. The views are wonderful in all directions! Mount Evans and Mount Bierstadt stand high to the north, and broad Mount Logan dominates the southeast.
Kataka Mountain – View East toward Mount Evans
Kataka Mountain – View South to Mount Logan
Rosalie Peak is three miles to the northeast, and Geneva Mountain is only two miles to the northwest. All of these mountains are fine SOTA peaks!
Kataka Mountain and Mount Logan from Geneva Mountain, Mid-October
Kataka also looks southwest across Kenosha Pass into South Park. Some of the Collegiate Peaks are visible far beyond; if it’s clear, the tops of the Crestones are visible above other peaks far to the south.
The large activation zone is mostly alpine tundra and boulders. I set up my pole and gear slightly east of the peak to avoid the breeze. Because Kataka is surrounded by higher mountains in several directions, it’s probably not a good VHF/UHF site. There may be some coverage down the valley to the east, as well as into South Park.
Kataka Mountain – KX0R SOTA Activation
Kataka Mountain – SOTA Activation Radio Gear
This peak is a fine HF location. All development is miles away, so the HF noise level is low. The surrounding peaks don’t attenuate HF sky-wave signals much. I had a fine SOTA session, with 32 contacts on 10-14-18-21 MHz CW. I was on the air for over 80 minutes, and I didn’t want to shut down.
Kataka Mountain should be climbed on a dry day with a low probability of thunderstorms. My hike required just over three hours from the trailhead to the summit – I was pushing pretty hard, because clouds were gathering as I climbed. An early start is essential, because the hike is long, and a good activation requires a long time on the summit.
• Pristine wilderness location
• Beautiful hike up the Rosalie Trail
• Challenging distance
• Significant vertical gain
• Wonderful setting among higher peaks
• Seldom visited
• Friendly summit with flowers and great views
• Great HF radio site
Kataka Mountain View of Mount Bierstadt and Mount Evans
This mountain is recommended only for SOTA activators who enjoy long, fast hikes at high altitude. Lightweight gear is essential.
It’s possible to climb Kataka from the west via the Three Mile Trail. The trailhead is along the southern part of the Guanella Pass Road, about three miles north of Grant. This equally-scenic route is about the same difficulty as the route from the east!
Kataka Mountain and Mount Logan above Scott Gomer Creek, Mid-October
There are other SOTA peaks in the area of Kataka Mountain. Possibilities for a challenging dual activation include:
Camping nearby might make it practical to activate multiple summits in the area. Numerous forest campgrounds and campsites are within a few miles of Kenosha Pass; backpack camping in the Mount Evans Wilderness is allowed – but special rules apply.
Let’s keep Kataka pristine – tread gently on its fragile alpine meadows!
73
George
KX0R
Kataka Mountain Hike – Indian Paintbrush
Kataka Mountain Hike – Penstemons
Kataka Mountain Hike – Shooting Stars
!! 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-086
Coffintop Mountain
2457 m / 8060 ft
July 18, 2013 First Activation
May 3, 2014
May 17, 2015
May 12, 2016
By KX0R
Despite its name, Coffintop Mountain is a fun, challenging summit in the mountains west of Lyons, Colorado. This peak offers an exciting SOTA activation.
Key points:
• Mountain in Roosevelt National Forest
• Wild area – few visitors
• No development on or near the mountain
• Access via Buttonrock Preserve (City of Longmont)
• Free parking at Buttonrock Trailhead, via Longmont Dam Road, CR 80.
• Special rules apply in the Preserve
• Upper part of route is mostly off-trail
• Good navigation and route-finding required
• My ascent required about 2-3/4 hours; descent was slightly less
• Trailhead elevation ~ 6000 feet
• Round-trip distance ~ 10 miles
• Total elevation gain ~ 2050 vertical feet
• SOTA Classic!
Coffintop Mountain from Hall Ranch
Driving Directions:
• First drive to Lyons, Colorado.
• Continue northwest on Highway 36 for about 3 miles
• The road follows the North Saint Vrain Creek through a rocky canyon.
• Just before the highway starts up a long hill, marked County Road 80 leads left across a bridge over the creek – tricky left turn.
• Follow dirt road 80, Longmont Dam Road, about 3 miles to the Buttonrock Trailhead.
• There’s no fee for entry or parking.
The Hike:
• Walk west up the scenic canyon on the gated service road.
• The road leads by a small reservoir called Longmont Reservoir.
• Continue up the canyon about ¼ mile to the marked Sleepy Lion Trail
• Follow Sleepy Lion up a side canyon on the south side of the road.
• Continue up Sleepy Lion until it connects with the Buttonrock Trail.
• Follow the Buttonrock Trail up toward the northeast ridge of Coffintop.
Coffintop East Side from Buttonrock Trail
Route Explanation:
There’s no marked trail from the Buttonrock Trail to the top of Coffintop. It’s necessary to leave the trail, ascend south, and meet the northeast ridge of Coffintop. The northeast ridge provides efficient, fun access to the summit. A social/game trail with some cairns leads up along this ridge. It’s essential to have a detailed topo map and compass to navigate through the rugged terrain. A GPS with map data is very helpful. This expedition is recommended only for hikers with off-trail experience in similar terrain.
Coffintop – Northeast Ridge from Hall Ranch
Several possible routes provide access to the northeast ridge of Coffintop. Since some of the Boulder County land at the western edge of the Hall Ranch is a closed “conservation area”, hiking all the way up the Buttonrock Trail to the ridge is not the best option. A pleasant shortcut through the National Forest leads directly up to the northeast ridge and avoids crossing through the closed County area. This efficient route follows an abandoned road along a small creek up a secluded valley. The Buttonrock Trail meets this abandoned road at a sharp left-turn bend, at about 6500 feet elevation, where the main trail intersects the creek drainage. The old road is visible from the main trail, and it starts out on the west side of the creek.
The coordinates of this key junction are:
N 40 12.934’ W 105 20.657’ (WGS84)
or
40.2156 -105.3442
Coffintop Secret Trail Junction with Buttonrock Trail
Coffintop – Secret Trail up to East Side of Coffintop
After climbing for about 0.4 miles along the forested creek, the old road passes by an old water trough at about 6710 feet elevation.
N 40 12.676’ W 105 20.492’
or
40.2112 -105.3415
Coffintop Stock Trough on Secret Trail
Above the trough, head east up a slope for several hundred feet up to an open meadow. Stay west of the old road visible in the meadow to the east – that road doesn’t lead to the summit. From the meadow look southwest, and find an opening on a little hill heading up toward the northeast ridge of Coffintop. An old trail leads up the ridge just south of the ridgetop. This rough route runs a long way up toward the summit. Following this trail is a challenge, but the route is efficient and avoids many hassles. Parts of the trail run along a Vee-shaped gully. Avoid any steep slopes or cliffs.
Coffintop Northeast Ridge Route – Old Abandoned Trail/Road
A key waypoint on the northeast ridge at about 7080 feet elevation is at:
N 40 12.510’ W 105 20.672’
or
40.2085 -105.3445
Above this point the route climbs progressively up the ridge through the forest. At about 7400-7500 feet elevation the path is sketchy, and the route I follow is on the north side of a ridge. Avoid any steep rocks.
A waypoint in that area of the northeast ridge at about 7440 feet elevation is:
N 40 12.244’ W 105 20.979’
or
40.2041 -105.3496
Above about 7600 feet elevation, continue ascending the northeast ridge; follow cairns leading up a shallow gully, just south of some rock outcrops east of the summit. Soon the route passes south of the north summit; the south summit is about 450 feet further along the rocky ridge. The views west are stunning!
Coffintop – View Northwest – Twin Sisters, Cook Mountain, Ralph Price Reservoir and Buttonrock Mountain
Note that most of Coffintop Mountain, including the part of the northeast ridge used for this route, is within Roosevelt National Forest.
Which summit is the highest point?
I made various GPS measurements – my GPS has a barometric altimeter that helps stabilize the readings, allowing approximate comparisons of closely-spaced points. I could not determine which summit is the actual peak – they are within a few vertical feet of each other. My measurements from two trips suggest that both summits and the connecting ridge are within the activation zone. Visually it looks that way also.
Coffintop – South Summit from North Area
Coffintop – North Summit from South Area
The Google maps on the SOTA summit page show the red balloon for the summit on the south peak, so activating this would seem to remove any doubt. Lists of John also shows the south summit as the peak, and the list says 8060 feet, but none of the online maps on that site support that elevation for the south summit. However, the Google map shows the green summit symbol on the north peak. Significantly, the historical USGS 7-1/2 minute topo map (Lyons Quadrangle) clearly shows the north summit with an additional contour line at 8040 feet, but this contour only appears on the north summit. The altitude of the north summit is designated as 8049 on the map – indicating that USGS thought the north summit is the real peak.
However, the current USGS digital map for the Lyons quad online shows the south summit within a closed contour of only 8000 feet. The contour interval is 40 feet. The north summit is not shown above 8000 feet! I cannot see where the number 8060 came from – this does not agree with the current USGS digital data. That data says that the south summit is the peak, and it is less than 8040 feet. This current map appears to confirm that the Activation Zone includes both summits and the connecting ridge.
Pick whichever summit you like for your activation, and set up well within 75 vertical feet of the top. There are plenty of nice spots in the Activation Zone. The ridge provides shelter from the west wind, and numerous trees are available to hold a pole or a wire antenna.
Coffintop – KX0R SOTA Activation
Coffintop is a classic radio site. Its prominence and eastern position provide wide views out across the Plains. Only a few slightly higher mountains stand near the mountain in other directions, so this peak is an almost ideal HF site. HF noise is very low. There are plenty of trees and rocks for supporting a wire or a pole.
This peak is probably a pretty good VHF/UHF site. The view is clear from southeast to northeast. Some other mountains partially block signals north and south of the mountain – western parts of Denver, Boulder, and Fort Collins are not directly visible.
• Interesting, challenging hike
• Convenient access
• Wild area
• Exciting, prominent summit
• Great views
• Excellent radio site
• Nice activation zone
• Seldom visited
Coffintop View of Longs Peak up the North Saint Vrain Canyon
Coffintop’s prominence makes it a target for lightning. Higher mountains to the west generate thunder storms in spring and summer, so it’s essential to climb Coffintop on dry days, or early enough to avoid storms. Don’t let Coffintop put you in a coffin!
Coffintop – View of Storm Developing to the West
Hiking in Buttonrock Preserve is a special privilege. This is a watershed for the City of Longmont, and it’s a protected area. Longmont is very generous in allowing access to the public. Many cities, including Boulder, don’t allow hiking in some of their watershed areas. It’s important to understand and obey the rules while in the Preserve. Fortunately, these rules are simple and clear:
• NO Camping
• NO Overnight parking
• NO Bicycles
• NO Horses
• NO Fires
• NO Hunting
• NO Firearms
• NO Boats or Floating Devices
• NO Swimming
• NO Resource Collection or Removal
• Fishing in the Reservoir requires a special permit
Note that hiking off-trail is NOT prohibited. Please respect and obey the Preserve rules so that continued access will be allowed.
Coffintop also can be accessed from the huge, beautiful Hall Ranch, Boulder County Open Space, east of the peak. The Hall Ranch Trailhead is located north of South Saint Vrain Highway 7, about a mile west of Lyons. There’s no fee to park, but special rules apply. The Nighthawk Trail leads all the way up to the Buttonrock Trail northeast of Coffintop. This is a much longer route than from the Buttonrock Preserve, but it’s very scenic.
Coffintop – Hall Ranch Open Space Trail
Several other more challenging approaches can be used to climb Coffintop.
Be aware that rattlesnakes are common at both Hall Ranch and Buttonrock Preserve!
Coffintop – Hall Ranch Rattlesnake
73
George
KX0R
Coffintop Hike – Ball Cactus
Coffintop Hike – Spring Beauties
!! 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!
• White River National Forest
• Good marked trail much of the way
• Very moderate off-trail final climb, about 0.6 mile to a pleasant forested summit
• Nice hike partly along the Colorado Trail
• Interesting, popular trailhead
• Obscure summit, rarely visited
• ~ 5.5 miles round-trip
• ~ 1000 vertical feet
10450 Summit
Driving Directions:
• Drive west from Denver on I-70 to Frisco
• Turn south on Highway 9 and drive toward Breckenridge
• Turn left, east, at a stop light north of Breckenridge onto Tiger Road
• About 2.1 miles from the stop light, look for a trailhead on the left (north) side of the road, at a small lake
• This is the Horseshoe Gulch Trailhead
• Galena Gulch leads south on the opposite side of the paved road from the Trailhead
• This is called Blair Witch Trailhead on Google Maps (click the link for Drone Video!)
• It’s also the site of the Tiger Gold Dredge, sitting in the small lake
10450 Trailhead – Tiger Gold Dredge
• It’s a very popular mountain bike trailhead with convenient access to the Colorado Trail
• Parking is free, but the lot may fill up on summer weekends
The Hike:
• Hike around the east end of the lake by the dredge and follow the excellent Horseshoe Gulch Trail 9131 north up the valley. Keep an eye open for mountain bikers!
• At about 0.5 miles, the trail intersects the Colorado Trail No. 1776
10450 Colorado Trail Signs
• Follow the Colorado Trail east as it climbs switchbacks up a hill
• The trail leads around the north side of the hill
• Next it crosses an open, clear-cut saddle at about 9850 feet
10450 Colorado Trail – Forest Management
• The trail ascends around the north side of a higher ridge to a saddle at 10,200 feet
10450 Colorado Trail – Ascent to Saddle
• At the saddle, leave the trail and head south up the big forested ridge
• Follow the ridge about 0.2 miles to a sub-peak at 10,400 feet
• Continue southwest through the forest for 0.4 additional miles, along the relatively open ridge to the actual summit
• The correct summit is obvious, because the land falls away steeply to the west, south, and east
Additional Details:
While you’ll probably see hikers and bikers on the Colorado Trail, Peak 10450 sees very few visitors – it’s an average summit surrounded by much higher peaks. However, 10450 is very accessible – I was surprised that it had not been activated for SOTA.
Most of the route along the ridge is through open pine forest, but there are a few spots of thick lodge-poles with a little deadfall. Be sure to hike all the way south to the actual summit. There’s a pile of rocks near the peak.
10450 – Lodgepole Thicket along the Ridge
The large Activation Zone is open forest, with plenty of trees for supporting a pole or a wire. It’s possible to set up in a sunny spot with some shelter from wind. There are partial views through the trees off the south side.
10450 First SOTA Activation
Because there’s no development near the peak, the HF noise level is low. It’s a fine HF site – I made 40 contacts on 4 HF bands. VHF/UHF coverage probably is limited to the area around Breckenridge and Frisco.
Peak 10450 is close to Swan Mountain W0C/PR-098, and the two mountains could be climbed in a long day for a dual activation.
Swan Mountain from the Southeast
73
George
KX0R
10450 Trailhead – Gold Dredge Information
!! 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/PR-098
Swan Mountain
3291 m / 10796 ft
Aug 2, 2016
By KX0R
Swan Mountain is a somewhat challenging summit near Breckenridge. An old closed power-line road provides efficient access.
• White River National Forest
• Steep closed power-line road most of the way
• Moderately short, off-trail climb to peak
• Some navigation required
• Good game trails near the top
• Very prominent summit
• Fine HF site
• ~3.7 miles round-trip
• ~1800 vertical feet
Swan Mountain from the Southeast
Driving Directions:
• Drive west on I-70 from Denver
• Go through the Tunnel and continue to Frisco
• Exit and follow Highway 9 south toward Breckenridge
• At the southwest corner of Dillon Reservoir, turn east on Swan Mountain Road
• Drive about 0.2 miles
• Park across the river in a large parking area on the east side of the road.
• Parking is free
• The parking area is mostly used by fishermen
The Hike and Climb:
• Look for a social trail, and hike northeast from the parking spot a short distance
• Head for the large power lines
• Go through the woods and find the power-line road under the lines
• Climb steeply up this closed road
Swan Mountain Power Line Road, Lower Part
• Follow the power lines all the way up to a huge meadow at 9800 feet
• Continue northeast along the road through the meadow
Swan Mountain, Power Line Road, Upper Part
• Swan Mountain is visible to the east
• Follow the road as it ascends northwest of Swan Mountain, up to a saddle and power line junction at 10,300 feet
• Leave the road and hike east up to the ridge at about 10,400 feet. There is some deadfall as you go up through the forest. Try to follow game trails near the ridge-top.
• Continue southeast along the ridge and over a sub-peak at about 10650 feet
• Continue across a shallow saddle at 10,600 feet and follow a game trail southeast, up through open forest to the peak.
Additional Details:
You’ll know you’re on top when you come to the classic old triangulation station still standing up there!
Swan Mountain Summit Triangulation Station
There’s also a benchmark at that spot with the initials DMWW (Denver Water), the date 1931, and “N. SWAN”.
Swan Mountain DMWW Benchmark
The broad top of the prominent mountain is covered with widely-spaced pine trees. It’s easy to set up radio gear and a wire antenna. It’s relatively friendly, and there are few rock outcrops; the summit appears to be made of soft shale. Few people visit the summit. Views are limited by the trees, but where you can see off the peak, it’s very impressive.
Swan Mountain View East toward Keystone
Swan Mountain is a good HF peak. The major power lines are some distance from the summit, and the RF noise level is low. No nearby peaks block skip signals significantly. I had no problem making 33 contacts on four HF bands from up there. VHF/UHF coverage is probably limited to the area around the Blue River Valley.
Swan Mountain KX0R SOTA Activation
Swan Mountain KX0R SOTA Radio Gear
Swan Mountain has a sister summit about 0.2 mile southeast of the main (north) peak. Both peaks have similar elevation, and the activation zone appears to include both of them, along with the shallow saddle between.
It’s possible to access this peak more directly by climbing up to the saddle northeast of the summit from the meadows and forest below.
Swan Mountain, West Side, Open Woods
Swan Mountain, West Side, Direct Route
I descended this way, and it was more pleasant than the northwest ridge route. GPS is recommended for navigation on Swan Mountain.
This peak can be combined with several nearby SOTA peaks for a dual activation:
Be aware of hunters in the fall – wear bright orange.
73
George
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!
• No trail
• Hike up and along a hogback ridge
• Geology field trip
• Fine HF site
• Good dual activation with Spinney Mountain W0C/SP-118
• ~2.2 miles round-trip
• About 585 vertical feet
• Drive to Highway 24 west of Wilkerson Pass, either via Lake George from the east, or via Hartsell from the west.
• Continue to CR 23 – the turn is about 4.5 miles west of Wilkerson Pass, or about 10.5 miles east of Hartsel
• Drive south on CR 23 for 1.4 miles
• Turn west on CR 418, Mineral Springs Road, and drive 1.4 miles to the mineral springs near the south end of Sulphur Mountain
• Sulphur Mountain is well-named for these springs– they smell of sulphur.
• Park here off the road
Sulphur Mountain Mineral Spring
Thanks to Walt, W0CP, for first activating Sulphur Mountain!
Before activating Sulphur, examine the Google satellite image. Most of the land around the 2-mile-long mountain is private, but there’s hiking access at the south end near the springs. The springs area isn’t posted.
The Hike:
• Walk up the draw just west of the springs. This area appears to be an informal shooting area.
Sulphur Mountain – Shooting Area, South End
• Head up the open rocky slope toward the right – east side – of the ridge.
• Avoid the private road west of the draw – it doesn’t lead toward the summit.
• Some of the land on the mountain may be private, but it wasn’t posted anywhere along the route when I was there. It appears that the occasional visitor is OK.
Details:
Sulphur Mountain is a hogback ridge running SE-NW. The ridge is on the major Elkhorn Thrust Fault. The summit ridge is partly made of inclined bedded quartzite and other rocks.
Sulphur Mountain – Bed of Conglomerate
Follow the ridge along the east side, through sparsely-forested meadows. Game trails make most of the route easy. The ridge-top is rocky, and depending on conditions, it may be easier to hike below and parallel to the ridge, instead of right along the top. The peak is about 0.6 mile from the south end of the ridge, or about a mile from the mineral springs.
Sulphur Mountain – N0TA on the Ridgetop
The summit is a bump on the long, prominent ridge; the activation zone is large. It was pleasant when I was there in the fall. The views of South Park and the surrounding mountains are impressive. Even though a few houses stand down below, you can’t see them from the top of the ridge.
Sulphur Mountain View North to Mount Silverheels
It’s easy to set up for a SOTA activation anywhere near the rocky peak. The large activation zone has a some trees for supporting an antenna pole. Shelter from wind is provided by the summit ridge. Sulphur Mountain is a good HF site; I heard no man-made RF noise. VHF/UHF coverage is limited mostly to South Park.
Sulphur Mountain KX0R Activation – Nov 14, 2015
Sulphur Mountain – KX0R SOTA Activation – July 16, 2016
I had a fine HF activation on Sulphur, with 43 contacts on 10, 14, and 18 MHz CW.
Although I saw no hunters, be careful of hunters in the fall.
It’s possible to combine an activation of Sulphur Mountain with nearby Spinney Mountain W0C/SP-118 a few miles to the south, as well as with other SOTA summits in South Park.
73
George
KX0R
Sulphur Mountain View East to Badger 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!
• Pleasant alpine peak
• Seldom climbed
• No trail to the top
• Navigation and route-finding required
• Access via dirt road from Kenosha Pass
• Road requires moderately high clearance vehicle
• Accessible in summer and fall
• Fine HF site
• ~11.4 miles round-trip to the summit via my route
• ~ 2000 feet total vertical gain
• With a 4WD high-clearance vehicle, the hiking distance can be reduced
South Twin Cone from South Park
Driving Directions:
First drive to Kenosha Pass via Highway 285. Turn east onto Forest Road 126 at the Pass. FR 126 begins as an easy 2WD dirt road.
South Twin Cone – FR-126 Sign
South Twin Cone – FR-126 Gate
South Twin Cone – FR-126 Signs
Follow the road into the Kenosha Creek drainage and continue upstream. The road crosses a ford in the creek – this is a big pile of rocks. Only cars with adequate clearance – at least 5 inches – can drive over these rocks without possible damage. Some of the land in the valley along the road is private, but it’s OK to pass through to the National Forest.
About three miles from Highway 285, at 10,400 feet, FR 126 leaves the creek and heads up a series of steep switchbacks. The road quickly gets steeper and rockier. Depending on your vehicle, you might be wise to park near the first switchback, before the road gets more serious – I did this. There are more large rocks as the road ascends, but a careful driver should be able to drive a high-clearance vehicle higher than I did, even without 4WD.
Either drive or hike up the switchbacks as the road climbs the southwest side of North Twin Cone Peak. Continue along the rocky 4WD road toward North Twin Cone. There are several nice campsites along this road.
After climbing above 11,300 feet, the road descends east about 200 vertical feet for about 2/3 mile into the upper Kenosha Creek drainage, south of North Twin Cone and west of South Twin Cone.
Only experienced drivers with very-high-clearance vehicles should attempt to drive up the rough trail toward North Twin Cone Peak. It’s more practical to park and hike up!
South Twin Cone Route, Road FR-126 Near 11,200 Feet
Hiking Directions:
To reach South Twin Cone, leave the jeep trail south of North Twin Cone at about 11,800 feet, and hike east across the tundra. There’s no marked route, but there are hints of a path. Heading east too soon leads into a big willow swamp.
South Twin Cone Peak Across the Willows – DO NOT Cross here!
It’s not necessary to climb all the way east, up to the ridge between North and South Twin Cones. The upper part of the willows area is sparse, and animal paths lead through the thickets. The best route to South Twin Cone may depend on the season and conditions.
South Twin Cone Peak above Willows – Cross Through Here or Higher Up
It might be possible to short-cut east from the jeep road at 11,200 feet and climb up the forested southwest ridge of South Twin Cone, but I don’t know if this is a practical route. I chose to hike via the North Twin Cone road, because it’s mostly easy and open all the way.
South Twin Cone Hike, View of Route Near North Twin Cone
Above about 11,600 feet the area is mostly alpine meadows filled with rocks and wildflowers. The upper part of South Twin Cone is an easy climb over tundra and large rocks. The large, rounded summit slopes gently to the east – the activation zone is spacious. Some shelter from wind is provided by large rocks and the summit itself. The views are spectacular. Alpine terrain extends southeast for miles into the wilderness.
South Twin Cone and View Southeast into Lost Creek Wilderness
Details:
South Twin Cone is a fine HF radio site. There’s little blockage of HF signals in any direction, and the ground slopes down at a nice angle. The HF noise level is very low – there’s almost no development for miles. This high site probably is not a very good VHF/UHF site; but it may have limited coverage of the Front Range foothills, parts of the eastern Plains, some of the Denver Metro area, and areas to the southeast. Coverage of South Park is likely good.
South Twin Cone SOTA Activation
South Twin Cone SOTA Radio Gear
There’s a small solar-powered radio facility on North Twin Cone. I experienced no HF noise from this site.
I made 23 HF contacts on four bands during my SOTA activation of South Twin Cone. It was fun to operate from this wonderful high spot on a sunny, dry day. I saw no one after I left my car. It’s surprising how many nice, accessible mountains are seldom visited!
South Twin Cone Summit, View Toward North Twin Cone
In bad weather, South Twin Cone may experience lightning storms, high winds, hail, and snow; this mountain is best climbed in dry, stable weather. The descent route is high and exposed to the weather for a long distance.
I started the hike at 10:22 AM from where I parked on the road at 10,400 feet, and I reached the summit at 12:58 PM. On a day with storms this would have been way too late for a SOTA activation! Because of the drive and the length of the hike, South Twin Cone may require a very early start if storms are likely. It will be a long day.
While there are other SOTA peaks in the area of South Twin Cone, it would be difficult to do a dual activation with another summit. Possibilities include:
W0C/SP-070 11356 6 miles NW, off Hall Valley Road W0C/FR-062 Mount Bailey 10 miles east, off 285 near Bailey
Camping nearby might make it practical to activate multiple summits in the area. Numerous forest campgrounds and campsites are within a few miles of Kenosha Pass.
South Twin Cone is a fine SOTA peak with reasonable access. The low-noise alpine summit and wildflower-meadows are really nice! The only reason it’s not quite a “SOTA Classic” is that the long hike runs for miles along a jeep road. I’m planning to come back!
73
George Carey Fuller
KX0R
South Twin Cone Alpine Flowers
!! 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!
• Pike National Forest
• High altitude hike
• No marked trail to the summit
• Route-finding required
• Fine alpine scenery
• Excellent HF site
• ~3.1 miles round-trip
• ~1650 vertical feet total
Volz Benchmark from Little Baldy
Driving Directions:
• Drive west on Highway 285 and cross Kenosha Pass
• Continue west on Highway 285 about 11 miles
• Turn north on CR 33 and drive about ½ mile to Como
• Pass through Como and drive up CR 33 about 9 miles to Boreas Pass at 11482 feet
• The route follows a historic narrow gage rail line and continues all the way across to Breckenridge
• Boreas Pass Road CR 33 also can be reached by driving up from Breckenridge and I-70 to the north
• CR 33 is an OK unpaved road, with several rough, rocky sections, but most cars can make the trip along the railway roadbed
• Do not drive all the way up to the pass
• Park at Selkirk Gulch, at 10,960 feet, where the road takes a broad bend to the left as it goes across a small creek.
• This spot is about 1 mile north of the marked left turn, northwest, where FR-801 goes down to Selkirk Campground.
• This is the “trailhead”
Volz Benchmark “Trailhead” Marker – East Side of CR 33
Volz Benchmark “Trailhead” on CR 33 – View South
The hike and climb:
• Google Maps shows none of the hiking trails near Boreas Pass
• GPS is very useful in this area
• The hike begins on the south side of Selkirk Creek.
• An old closed road runs northeast up the creek to a large meadow at almost 11,200 feet.
Volz Benchmark Route – Meadow View Southwest to Mount Silverheels
• Continue hiking up the steep valley that ascends east from the upper part of the meadow. Don’t follow the north drainage.
Volz Benchmark – North Slopes Route
• A good game trail leads all the way up the valley to a high saddle at almost 12,000 feet.
Volz Benchmark – North Route from Saddle at 12,000 Feet
• From the saddle, hike south up the broad ridge for about ½ mile, following the easiest route available, up to a saddle at about 12,450 feet.
Volz Benchmark – North Slope
Volz Benchmark – North Side of Peak
• The rocky northwest peak is Volz Benchmark.
• The southeast peak is a slightly lower sub-peak.
• Climb up a rough path through the talus to the rocky top of Volz
Volz Benchmark Summit
• A USCGS benchmark from 1951 marks the summit – it says “VOLZ”.
Volz Benchmark
Additional Details:
Few people visit this prominent, pleasant peak. A large cairn is near the summit, and a tiny wind shelter is available nearby; a register container is there. I guyed my pole to some rocks and set up my SOTA radio gear in the lee of the wind shelter. Some dark clouds were developing, so I couldn’t stay on too long, but I made 24 CW contacts on three HF bands.
Volz Benchmark KX0R SOTA Activation
Volz is a fine HF summit. It falls away in all directions, and the noise level is very low. Almost no development is visible nearby. This peak is likely a fair VHF/UHF summit, with coverage across much of South Park.
The summit offers great views of several higher peaks and parts of South Park below. Boreas Mountain stands about 2 miles to the north, and Bald Mountain stands much higher behind it.
Boreas and Bald Mountains from Volz Benchmark
The top of Mount Guyot looms across a high ridge east of Bald Mountain in the north. The views of the high Divide to the southwest are nice – Red Peak, Hoosier Ridge, and huge Mount Silverheels. Volz’s sub-peak stands nearby across the saddle, and it appears to have a cairn on top.
Volz Benchmark – Subpeak Southeast of High Saddle
Clearly there’s a decent route from CR 33 up the drainage on the southwest side of Volz. The “trailhead” for that route is about ¼ mile down the road from Selkirk Creek. It might be a better route for early in the year – more on the sunny side.
For a dual activation, consider these nearby summits:
I climbed and activated Volz after doing Little Baldy, and it was a full, very fun day!
73
George
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!
!! 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!
