SOTA outings by KØMOS and contributors

Tag: mountain topping

  • W0C/SP-102 (Observatory Rock) – 3070 m / 10073 ft

    W0C/SP-102
    Observatory Rock
    3070 m / 10073 ft
    Oct 12, 2015 solo
    Sep 5, 2016 with N0TA and WA2USA

    By KX0R

    Observatory Rock is a high, prominent summit named for its resemblance to an observatory dome.

    Key Points:

    • Pike National Forest
    • Access via fair dirt roads
    • Prominent, high rock outcrop
    • No marked trail
    • Fun Class 3 scramble required to summit
    • South side parking at ~ 9400 feet
    • ~ 1.0 mile round-trip
    • ~ 670 vertical feet
    • Fine HF site
    • No red tape or special rules
    • SOTA Classic!

    Located on the east side of South Park, almost 5 miles northwest of Tarryall Reservoir, Observatory Rock is easy to spot from Highway 77. This prominent outcrop provides an exciting scramble up a natural radio tower made of ancient granitic rock. On the right day, climbing and activating this peak is a lot of fun!

    Driving Instructions:

    • Start by driving to South Park, either via Highway 285 from Denver, or via Highway 24 from Colorado Springs.

    • Continue to Tarryall Reservoir via the Tarryall Road, Highway 77, which runs north from Highway 24 near Lake George, to Highway 285 at Jefferson.

    • Near the south end of Tarryall Reservoir, turn west off Highway 77 onto dirt road 23 – the Turner Gulch Road. Follow Road 23 around the Reservoir and west about 2-1/2 miles.

    • Where Road 23 forks off to the south at the top of a hill, keep right – Forest Road 146 heads off to the northwest – look for a sign.

    • Follow rough 2WD dirt road FR-146 down a rocky hill into a valley and back up, for about a mile from Road 23 to Eagle Rock – you can’t miss it on the right! The road passes directly south of Eagle Rock.

    • Note that the road numbers on Google Maps differ slightly from the USFS Visitor Map for Pike National Forest

    • From Eagle Rock, continue northwest on FR-146/148 for about 1-1/2 miles

    • Soon after a 3-way intersection with FR-146/148, turn right on marked FR- 834. If it’s dry, this road may be OK for 2WD cars with good clearance.

    • Drive carefully north down the small lumpy road, past Berkey Spring

    • Continue past Copenhaver Gulch – Observatory Rock looms ahead to the north

    • About 2 miles from the turn-off from 146/148, there’s a 4-way junction in a flat open area. Go straight, northwest, and ascend about 0.6 mile up a little valley via a small unmarked high-clearance 2WD road. This trail leads directly to the south side of Observatory Rock. Although it’s not shown on Google Maps or the Pike Forest map, it’s easy to see on the satellite image. There’s a campsite about ¼ mile south of the Rock.

    • Park near the campsite

    The Climb:

    • Climb up the wide gully west of the huge rock; I found no real trail, but there are game trails.

    • Aim for the saddle at 9800 feet between Observatory Rock and its western sub-peak.

    • Ascending slightly left of the gully worked OK to me – avoid the outcrops on the east side.

    • At the saddle, head east up the steep open ridge toward the summit.

    • After climbing 200 vertical feet up the ridge, the route leads into a gully on the west side of the Rock. There may be a cairn or two, as well as a faint trail. The gully contains an ancient pine tree right below the summit.

    • The correct route goes right up the rock to the head of the gully. The photos show the route. The climb is Class 2 and Class 3 for about 25-30 vertical feet. You have to use your hands and feet on the rock, but it’s not difficult – provided you have good footwear, and the rock is dry.

    • The gully is the best access to the top of the Rock, so it’s essential to find this route on the west side; be sure to descend the same way.

    Relevant Details:

    The top is about 670 vertical feet about the campsite below – and much higher than the terrain immediately to the east. The rocky summit is large and relatively flat – it’s easy to set up an antenna pole. Moving around the summit is relatively safe, and the only exposure is around the edge. A convenient dead tree provides a good pole support.

    The Rock is effectively an 800-foot tower! There are no peaks nearby to raise the effective wave angle or block signals. With little development nearby, the HF noise level is very low.

    This summit’s probably poor for VHF/UHF contacts, because it doesn’t look down on any population centers. It has good coverage of parts of South Park, but it’s blocked by the mountains surrounding South Park.

    The views of South Park and the surrounding mountains are spectacular! You can gaze across vast distances while you’re on the air – it’s an amazing place. The high-point of the trip was when first activator Frank – K0JQZ – called me on 40M CW and told me that Observatory Rock was his favorite SOTA peak.

    A dual activation of Eagle Rock and Observatory Rock works well on a dry fall day. I was there in the middle of the week, and there was no one else on either summit. Please see the report on Eagle Rock W0C/SP-113 for more information.

    I saw no hunters near either mountain, although they were out there. If you go during hunting season, wear hunter orange, and be careful.

    Unless the dirt roads are dry, a 4WD vehicle may be required to access this area.

    After activating Eagle Rock, the climb and activation of Observatory Rock was a supreme experience! Observatory Rock is a SOTA Classic for several reasons:

    • Iconic SOTA Peak
    • Unique summit
    • Short but challenging climb
    • Fine views
    • Ideal HF site
    • Few visitors

    If Eagle Rock was fun, Observatory Rock will be more fun. On the other hand, if Eagle Rock was too freaky, better skip Observatory Rock – it’s higher and more challenging. Both summits are well worth the drive to South Park – but save them for a special day!

    73

    George Carey Fuller
    KX0R

    ATTENTION !! 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/SP-113 (Eagle Rock) – 2960 m / 9710 ft

    W0C/SP-113
    Eagle Rock
    2960 m / 9710 ft

    Oct 12, 2015 solo
    Sep 5, 2016 with N0TA and WA2USA

    By KX0R

    Eagle Rock is a prominent summit about 2-1/2 miles west of Tarryall Reservoir, on the west side of South Park.

    Key Points:

    • Pike National Forest
    • OK dirt road access
    • Prominent metamorphic rock outcrop
    • No marked trail
    • Fun Class 2 scramble
    • West side parking at ~ 9310 feet
    • Fine HF site
    • Awesome views of South Park
    • No red tape or special rules
    • ~ 0.8 mile round trip, south side parking
    • ~ 550 vertical feet, south side parking

    • SOTA Classic!

    Driving Directions:

    To access Eagle Rock, start by driving to South Park, either via Highway 285 from Denver, or via Highway 24 from Colorado Springs. Continue to Tarryall Reservoir via the Tarryall Road, Highway 77, which runs from Highway 24, near Lake George, to Highway 285, at Jefferson up north. Near the south end of Tarryall Reservoir, turn west off Highway 77 onto dirt road 23 – the Turner Gulch Road. Follow Road 23 around the Reservoir and west about 2-1/2 miles. Where Road 23 forks off to the south at the top of a hill, keep right – Forest Road 146 heads off to the northwest – look for a sign. Follow the rough 2WD dirt road 146 down a rocky hill into a valley and back up, for about a mile from Road 23 to Eagle Rock – you can’t miss it on the right! The road passes directly south of Eagle Rock. Note that the road numbers on Google Maps differ slightly from the USFS Visitor Map for Pike National Forest.

    Park off the road on the south side; or drive around to the west side of the Rock, and follow a small road up closer to the summit. A look at the satellite image shows the Rock and access clearly.

    The Climb:

    Hike up to the saddle on the south side of the Rock. There’s no marked route, but social paths lead up over the rocky ground. Look up toward the summit, pick a reasonable route, and start up the south side of the outcrop. Several gullies ascend the summit, and the climb is steeper toward the top. The scramble is mostly easy, but it’s Class 2+ in a few spots. The only exposure is on top, near the cliffs around the sides.

    Except for a few loose rocks and numerous bushes, the climb is fun! The ascent is about 0.4 mile, with about 550 vertical feet from the road south of the Rock; it’s slightly shorter from the west side.

    There are fine views of South Park and the local terrain from the top of Eagle Rock; in particular, Observatory Rock W0C/SP-102 stands prominently 3 miles to the northwest.

    Useful Details:

    Activating Eagle Rock on HF requires a little creativity. The summit’s large enough for a decent wire antenna, but there are few supports; guying a pole is the obvious choice. I wanted to save time for climbing and activating Observatory Rock, and because of wind on top of Eagle Rock, I set up just below the top on the south side. This made for a fast, easy activation. With my pole attached to a large bush, I tied my 52-foot wire up near the peak.

    Eagle Rock is a superb HF summit. There’s no development for miles, and the noise level is very low. Operating from this prominent rock is similar to being on a 500-foot tower!

    I made 7 contacts on 40M CW, followed by 16 contacts on 20M CW. The activation lasted 26 minutes, and I could have made more contacts on other bands. However, my focus was on Observatory Rock. I wasn’t sure if I could access it or activate it in the time remaining, so I packed up and headed down quickly.

    Please see my report on Observatory Rock W0C/SP-102 for the rest of the story.

    The decision to try for a dual activation worked out well. Activating both Eagle Rock and Observatory Rock is reasonable with good weather. It was the middle of the week, and no one else was on either summit when I was there.

    I saw no hunters near either mountain, but there certainly were hunters out there in the National Forest that day. During hunting season, wear hunter orange and be careful.

    Eagle Rock is a fine SOTA peak, and it’s a SOTA Classic!  If you like a challenging activation, I recommend it; it’s a good warm-up for Observatory Rock. It was well worth the long drive from Boulder!

    73

    George Carey Fuller
    KX0R

    ATTENTION !! 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!

  • W7U/GR-044 (5580) – 1701 m / 5580 ft

    W7U/GR-044
    5580
    1701 m / 5580 ft
    Dec 03, 2015

    By KX0R

    Summit 5580 is an interesting, challenging summit. It’s probably the easiest SOTA “peak” in Arches National Park, north of Moab, Utah.

    • High desert activation
    • Most of the hike is on a marked trail
    • Parts of the route are along the tops of high rock fins
    • Incredible scenery
    • Peak is near the famous Double-O Arch
    • Activation zone is accessible by hiking and easy scrambling
    • Actual summit is a technical climb
    • ~ 5.0 miles round trip
    • ~ 400 vertical feet of gain to the activation zone
    • Hike and activation take about 5 hours
    • SOTA “Classic”!

    I relied on the directions posted by K7ODX on the SOTA summit page, and they’re helpful and accurate. Fortunately I had been out to Double O Arch a couple of times previously, so I was familiar with the interesting hike on the “primitive trail”.

    The route to 5580 begins at the popular Devils Garden Trailhead. The scenic trail is easy for the first mile to Landscape Arch; then the route becomes more challenging, as it climbs up and travels along “fins” of firm red sandstone. Cairns and a few signs mark the way. There’s some exposure to heights, but the danger is minimal if the sandstone is dry.

    If there’s snow or ice on the rocks, leave this trip for another day! I was able to complete the route on Dec 3, 2015, and there was about an inch of snow in the shade; fortunately almost no snow remained on the exposed rock of the trail.

    Just beyond 2 miles from the trailhead, the trail descends along a very long fin and drops around a corner to Double O Arch. This is a good place to take some photos and enjoy the magnificent twin arches.

    It’s possible to climb through the smaller lower arch, but I decided to go around the long way to the north. Follow the marked trail to the Dark Angel for a short distance around the rock fin containing Double O Arch, and then head southeast up an obvious path to the west side of the arch. If the rock’s dry, it’s possible to climb up on the slick-rock and ascend up the draw south of the arch.

    Peak 5580 is at the top of the large fin south of Double O Arch, but the summit isn’t visible from near the arch. W7ODX suggests studying the satellite image of the area near Double O Arch prior to going in there, and he’s right. You can’t activate this summit unless you know where you’re supposed to be! 5580 is not climbable by ordinary people, but it’s practical to reach the Activation Zone. Your goal is to climb up to the sandy high point between the Double O Arch fin and the 5580 fin. If you set up on the top of the sand pile up there, right below the 5580 fin, you’ll be within the Activation Zone. My GPS measurements, when compared to topographic map elevations, confirm that the spots W7ODX and I have used are in the Activation Zone. His coordinates are within GPS accuracy of mine:

    W7ODX:

    N38 47.912’
    W109 37.235’

    KX0R:

    N38 47.907’
    W109 37.232’

    We arrived at these points independently. Although I used W7ODX’s excellent route description, I recorded my waypoint where I set up my gear. I didn’t go to his coordinates with a recorded waypoint on my GPS, etc.

    There’s room to suspend a wire from the operating position, across the open space, to a tree on the other side. Small trees on top of the dune could be used to support a wire, but a pole is better. I used a 20-foot Black Widow pole on top of the dune, and the northeast end of my 52-foot wire was slightly lower. Initially I was pessimistic about the compromised location down between the large sandstone fins. While there are better spots to set up and string an antenna up there, either they’re inaccessible, or they’re likely not within the activation zone.

    My doubts disappeared as soon as I got on the air. There was normal band noise as I tuned up on 40M. I made three contacts on 40M CW immediately, followed by a long run on 20M CW, with 26 contacts and reasonable signal reports. Then I went to 30M CW and made 5 more contacts. There really was very little reduction in performance compared to a summit-top setup. It was a long one-hour session sitting in the deep blue winter shade, late in the afternoon, surrounded by snow, with my CW fingers near freezing! The thermometer read 30F at 2200Z, and I had to use gloves and a cloth around the Palm paddles for most of the activation. Of course it was fun!

    Activating 5580 on a good day should be a spectacular and rewarding experience. The hike is more than scenic – it’s awesome to walk along the tops of the giant Entrada sandstone fins, with incredible views of the red-rock all around, and the snow-covered La Sal Mountains in the east. There are side trips to several large arches, and nothing up there is less than incredible!

    There are a few possible problems with this expedition:

    1. The Devils Garden area is so popular that it can fill up during busy times.
    2. The hike’s dangerous or impossible if the rock’s snowy or icy
    3. Summer conditions during mid-day can be so hot that it’s unpleasant or unsafe – take plenty of water.
    4. If you stay out there too late, it might be difficult to find the way back via the “primitive trail” in the dark.
    5. There’s no VHF/UHF coverage from the activation spot between the fins. Unless you can climb much higher, there are no good options, except for HF.

    If you plan to activate 5580, arrange your trip to avoid these problems. You’ll be rewarded by an exciting, fun hike through incredible rock formations. The SOTA activation will be a nice rest-stop in a unique destination. Except for cold fingers during my activation, my trip on December 3 was wonderful!

    5580 is a SOTA Classic!

    • Fun, spectacular hike
    • Incredible scenery
    • Challenging three-dimensional route
    • Numerous famous arches nearby
    • Low-noise HF site
    • Unique location in world-class National Park

    If you have time, consider continuing out along the marked trail to the Dark Angel. This well-named spire is visible for miles, and it’s larger than you think!

    73

    George
    KX0R

    ATTENTION !! 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!

  • WØC/PR-ØØ2 (Mount Richthofen) – 3944 m / 12940 ft

    W0C/PR-002
    Mount Richthofen
    3944 m / 12940 ft
    First Activation
    Sep 27, 2015

    By KX0R

    Mount Richthofen is the highest peak in the rugged Never Summer Range in Rocky Mountain National Park. This special mountain offers a very challenging SOTA activation, with all of the rewards that come with high alpine summits.

    Mount Richthofen from Lulu Mountain
    Mount Richthofen from Lulu Mountain

    I waited until everything was just right to activate Richthofen, and the experience was superb. Mount Richthofen demands plenty of respect, and only climbers with off-trail alpine experience should venture near it. Decades ago I climbed this peak, and I thought it was hard then. It certainly wasn’t any easier in 2015!

    Key points:

    • Rocky Mountain National Park
    • Wilderness journey
    • There are two primary routes – the east side and the west side
    • The east side route can be accessed from either the Colorado River Trailhead in         RMNP, or from the Thunder Pass route starting near Cameron Pass
    • The west side route is accessed from near Cameron Pass via Lake Agnes
    • This report is about the longer route from the Colorado River Trailhead
    • The total round-trip distance is 15.4 miles
    • The total elevation gain is about 3900 feet
    • This trip is Grade II, Class 2, with Class 2 on some of the summit ridge
    • The route is via the big ridge southeast of Richthofen, and then up the rocky southeast slope to the top
    • Most of the route above 10,400 feet is off-trail, in wilderness
    • It takes a long day to climb and activate Richthofen
    • My ascent required about 4-1/2 hours, including breaks, etc.
    • I was on top about 1-1/2 hours
    • My descent time was about 4-1/3 hours
    • The driving time from Boulder to the trailhead was about 2 hours each way

    Richthofen, Static Peak, and Nokhu Crags from Lulu Mountain
    Richthofen, Static Peak, and Nokhu Crags from Lulu Mountain

    A few details:

    The Colorado River Trailhead is on the west side of Rocky Mountain National Park. The easiest route from the Denver Metro Area is across the Divide via Trail Ridge Road, Route 34.

    From the Colorado River Trailhead, hike north, and take the trail to Lulu City at the first junction. The trail follows the valley of the Colorado River to the site of an old mining town. Continue north to a major split just south of Lulu City; take the left fork to Lulu City and Thunder Pass; don’t follow the trails to Little Yellowstone or La Poudre Pass. Where the trail splits north of Lulu City, again take the left fork toward Thunder Pass; don’t go to Little Yellowstone Canyon. The correct trail ascends northwest, following the path of an old stage road up to about 10,160 feet, where the path divides again. This junction is well-signed; take the left fork southwest toward Ditch Camp #3 Campsite, Skeleton Gulch, and Mount Richthofen; don’t go right, northeast, toward Box Canyon Campsite or Thunder Pass.

    Key Sign to Mount Richthofen East Ridge Route
    Key Sign to Mount Richthofen East Ridge Route

    Follow the trail about ¼ mile, past the campsite, to the Grand Ditch. Turn right on the Ditch Road, walk a short distance north, and find the marked trail leading over a bridge across the Ditch, and into Skeleton Gulch.

    Cross the bridge and take a break. This is a good spot to pump some water, have a snack, and prepare for the climb; there’s no water on Richthofen above Skeleton Gulch.

    The route to Richthofen requires climbing the long east-west ridge southeast of the summit.

    East Ridge Route of Richthofen from near the Summit
    East Ridge Route of Richthofen – View SE from near the Summit

    There are various ways to ascend the ridge from the Skeleton Gulch Trail. I walked about ½ mile west on the Skeleton Gulch trail from the Ditch; then I chose a route up the south side of the ridge, at a place where the slope looked reasonable.

    Game Trail up from Skeleton Gulch ot East Ridge
    Game Trail up from Skeleton Gulch ot East Ridge

    Further west in the Gulch, the slope becomes steep and craggy. There’s no marked route, but several game trails lead up to the ridge. It’s also possible to climb up the southeast end of the ridge without going very far into Skeleton Gulch.

    The open ridge-top is a grand place with fine views; an easy hike leads west across the grassy tundra toward Richthofen.

    East Ridge of Richthofen - View SE
    East Ridge of Richthofen – View toward the Southeast

    This is a good place to see bighorn sheep. At 12,000 feet, the easy ridge-route ends with a steep ascent up a rocky gully to a dark buttress southeast of Richthofen.

    Route up East Slopes of Richthofen
    Route up East Slopes of Richthofen to Buttress
    Route up Rocky Gully
    Class 2 Route up Rocky Gully to top of Buttress

    There are climbers’ trails up through the talus. You have to get over or around the east side of the buttress – no difficult moves or serious exposure are required. A route through the obvious notch is OK, as well as a traverse east of the notch.

    Looking down at Buttress Route
    Looking down at Buttress Route

    Past the knob descend to an easy saddle, and then do a steep, challenging ascent up about 600 vertical feet of loose rocks. Pick the best route you see, and avoid any really steep areas. The Class 2 route leads right up to the east end of Richthofen’s summit ridge.

    Rocky Southeast Slope of Richthofen
    Rocky Southeast Slope of Richthofen

    The summit is small and rocky, but it’s a spectacular, exciting place. As you look at the incredible views all around, you may forget about your activation! Lake Agnes, Mount Mahler, Tepee Mountain, Lead Mountain, Static Peak, the Nokhu Crags, Lulu Mountain, and the Diamond Peaks fill the amazing scene.

    View North from the Summit of Richthofen
    View North from Richthofen across Nokhu Crags
    Richthofen West Ridge to Mount Mahler
    Richthofen West Ridge to Mount Mahler – North Park Beyond

    On Richthofen you may feel suspended above all the other local summits! Many more high peaks stand far beyond the local summits. The Medicine Bow Range runs north in the distance, the Never Summer Range leads south for miles, and the Park Range stands like a wall on the west side of North Park.

    View North to Clark Peak
    View North to Clark Peak – Medicine Bow Range Beyond

    Richthofen has a nice rock shelter right on top. If no one else is there, you can set up radio gear in the shelter and run a wire along the ridge.

    First SOTA Activation of Mount Richthofen
    First SOTA Activation of Mount Richthofen

    The summit is all rocks, and a pole is required for a good HF activation. As Richthofen is the highest mountain in the area, it’s a great HF site. No development lies within several miles of the peak, so man-made RF noise is minimal. The only possible problem with Richthofen is that because its slopes are so steep, it offers no ground plane to reflect and enhance HF signals toward the horizon.

    I was concerned about time, so I limited my activation to 20M CW. Propagation was excellent, and I made 28 contacts in 25 minutes; these included an S2S with W7TAO on W7W/OK-164 in Washington, and S58AL in Slovenia, about 5500 miles to the northeast! If I had it to do again, I would have operated on more HF bands.

    KX0R Radio Equipment on Mount Richthofen
    KX0R Radio Equipment on Mount Richthofen

    Mount Richthofen probably is a poor summit for VHF/UHF contacts. It looks out across North Park and southern Wyoming, but not many people live there; the eastern Plains are barely visible to the northeast, but again, not a very populated area. All the major population centers are mostly blocked to VHF/UHF signals by numerous mountains standing south, east, and north of Richthofen.

    Mount Richthofen is a SOTA Classic for many reasons:

    • Superb views
    • Beautiful sub-alpine journey
    • Challenging alpine hike
    • Very prominent summit
    • Lightly visited
    • Interesting geology
    • Pristine wilderness in Rocky Mountain National Park
    • Miles from development
    • Low RF Noise

    The Never Summer Range breeds lightning storms in summer. Avoid this area if storms are likely! The entire ridge route is dangerous in bad weather! Don’t go near this place, unless the weather is good and predicted to stay dry.

    There are many opportunities for camping, backpacking, fishing, and other recreation in the nearby National Forests, the Colorado State Forest, and Rocky Mountain National Park. There are nice back-country campsites in Skeleton Gulch and near the trails below Mount Richthofen – reservations are required.

    Unfortunately Mount Richthofen is too difficult a mountain for most hikers and SOTA activators. This summit calls to the few who seek the challenge of a long, hard day combined with an incredible alpine activation.

    73

    George Carey Fuller
    KX0R

    Suggestions for the north approaches:

    Starting from Cameron Pass might be a better choice from Fort Collins or other northern areas; this requires driving about 60 miles up the Poudre Canyon via Highway 14. Both the American Lakes Trailhead and the parking area near Cameron Pass provide access to the Thunder Pass Trail, for the eastern route, as well as the Lake Agnes Trail, for the western route.

    About 2-1/2 miles southwest of Cameron Pass, Road 62 leads east, down from Highway 14 into the Michigan River Valley. This 2WD road is passable by most cars to the American Lakes Trailhead – it’s about 1-1/2 miles east of the turnoff from the highway. Part of the trail is in the Colorado State Forest, and a pass is required for parking and entry – there is a fee.

    An alternate place to park and enter this area exists – a large parking area off the main highway is just north of Cameron Pass. This is a popular spot; get there early, especially on weekends. There is no fee to park.

    Cross Highway 14 and look for a gated dirt road that parallels a ditch. A fee is requested to walk this road into the State Forest. Follow the almost level road for about two miles southeast along the ditch to where it intersects the American Lakes Trail near 10,400 feet elevation. This route adds about one easy mile each way, but it avoids several miles of driving on the highway and the dirt road. The total time is about the same with either route. This is a beautiful area, with moose, deer, elk, trout, lush vegetation, and many wildflowers in summer.

    The American Lakes Trail leads up past American Lakes to Thunder Pass, and then down southeast about 1-1/2 miles to Grand Ditch and the Skeleton Gulch Trail. From there, the climb up Richthofen via the big ridge southeast of the summit is the same as described above. Unfortunately the north route via the Thunder Pass Trail requires an ascent of about 1100 vertical feet up from Grand Ditch on the return trip north, so this adds to the difficulty. The total vertical gain of the climb from the American Lakes Trailhead to Thunder Pass, the climb from Grand Ditch up Richthofen, and the return climb from the Ditch to Thunder Pass is about 5250 feet. This is somewhat extreme.

    The alternate more-efficient route is to climb the west side of Richthofen via Lake Agnes. I have not done this route. The climb is steep, but it requires only about 2700 feet of vertical gain from the Lake Agnes Trailhead, accessible from Road 62. This climb is Class 3, with plenty of talus and steep rocks above Lake Agnes. From the top of Richthofen, the west route looks harder than the southeast route, but it’s much shorter.

    Please be careful!

    KX0R

    ATTENTION !! 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-014 (Copeland Mountain) – 4016 m / 13176 ft

    W0C/FR-014
    Copeland Mountain
    4016 m / 13176 ft
    First Activation
    Aug 6, 2015

    By KX0R

    Copeland Mountain stands prominently 1-1/2 mile east of the Continental Divide, in the southern part of Wild Basin.

    Copeland Mountain
    Copeland Mountain

    Key Points:

    • Rocky Mountain National Park
    • Accessible trailhead
    • Rugged alpine summit
    • Incredible views
    • Challenging hike
    • Infrequently climbed
    • No marked route
    • No trail to the top
    • Navigation and route-finding required
    • Fine HF site
    • 14 miles round-trip
    • 4675 vertical feet
    • Grade II
    • Class 2

    Copeland Mountain sees few visitors, but it offers a fine alpine SOTA activation. This high peak combines a challenging bushwhack hike with great scenery. Climbing to the top requires a sustained, steep hike in thin air. Only activators with off-trail experience and excellent fitness should attempt to climb Copeland. Since part of the route is far above tree-line, this expedition should be reserved for a day with good weather. The mountain is most accessible in summer and fall.

    The trailhead is at the Wild Basin Ranger Station. An easy dirt road leads two miles west from the Peak to Peak Highway, Route 7, to the trailhead. An entry fee or pass may be required to enter the National Park. The popular trailhead is not large, and it often fills before 8 AM on summer weekends. With the early start needed for Copeland, parking should not be a problem. An early start may avoid the entrance fee.

    From the trailhead, follow the signed, marked trails through Wild Basin to Ouzel Lake. The route leads west along the roaring North Saint Vrain Creek; across a bridge at about 1.5 miles; west to Calypso Cascades; northwest past Ouzel Falls; and west on the Bluebird Lake Trail to Ouzel Lake. Ouzel Lake is about 5 miles from the trailhead. Copeland Mountain looms high above the south side of the Lake.

    Ouzel Lake
    Ouzel Lake

    The hike to Ouzel Lake is just the introduction. While only two miles of the journey remain, more than 3000 vertical feet must be ascended from the Lake, and there is no real trail!

    To access the mountain, Ouzel Creek must be crossed. This is best done east of the lake outlet. When I was there, a convenient log-bridge was available about two hundred feet from the Lake. From the creek crossing, hike around the east side of beautiful Ouzel Lake. Climb up the forested drainage south of the Lake – follow the available game trails. Try to maintain a heading slightly east of south. The primary goal is to ascend the east slopes of Copeland far enough southeast to minimize the gradient of the climb. A second objective is to avoid the thickets and swampy parts of the densely-forested, north-facing drainage.

    The animals know where to go. Game trails lead through the forest and up the slopes; I was able to climb through the sub-alpine jungle by following the deer, elk, and moose. A couple of slide paths just below tree-line helped guide me higher. These steep slopes have been partly cleared of trees by avalanches. The game trails led me up to the slide paths.

    The most challenging part of the hike is the first half-mile or so up through the dense forest above Ouzel Lake. The worst problem is the lack of visibility – a GPS unit is useful for navigation, and for recording the track. The climb becomes easier above 10,600 feet; avoid thickets, and pick a route through the trees toward timberline. It’s easy to see where to go above the forest.  Soon wonderful views open up!

    Copeland Mountain View of Longs Peak
    View of Longs Peak from Copeland’s East Ridge

    The steep northeast ridge of Copeland is a mix of talus and tundra. I saw no marked route or cairns, but there are useful game trails and a few climbers’ paths. Climb southwest toward the summit. The route is steep, but there are almost no other problems; no scrambling is required. The climb up the alpine slope to the peak ascends about 2000 vertical feet in one mile – this is a real test! I thought it was more difficult to descend than to ascend.

    Copeland Mountain East Ridge Route
    Copeland Mountain East Ridge Route

    Copeland Mountain location provides incredible views of all the high peaks of Wild Basin: Longs Peak, Mount Meeker, Pagoda Mountain, Chiefs Head, Mount Alice, Isolation Peak, Ogalalla Peak, and Saint Vrain Mountain.

    Copeland Mountain Wild Basin View
    View North from Copeland Mountain across Wild Basin

    Several large lakes lie below Copeland. The entire area is heavily glaciated – this is some of the most rugged terrain in the National Park. The Indian Peaks Wilderness and its craggy alpine peaks are only a few miles to the south. Copeland is high enough to see over the Divide to the west. The Never Summer Range, Parkview Mountain, the Park Range, the Gore Range, and the Flat Tops are all visible from Copeland!

    Indian Peaks View from Copeland
    View of Indian Peaks from Copeland
    Copeland Mountain View SW
    Ogallala Peak and Cony Lake from Copeland Mountain

    I was surprised to find a large wind shelter built by climbers just west of the actual peak; however, it was so windy that I decided not to set up my activation there.

    Copeland Mountain Wind Shelter
    Copeland Mountain Wind Shelter

    I found a spot among some boulders east of the summit; this worked well. The large, rocky activation zone is relatively flat. There’s plenty of room for any kind of activation, but a pole is necessary to erect a wire antenna. It’s easy to set up and get on the air.

    Copeland Mountain Activation Antenna
    Copeland Mountain Activation Antenna

    Copeland is an almost perfect radio site. It stands far enough from other peaks that there’s little blockage to HF signals in any direction except north, where Longs Peak and its neighbors raise the horizon several degrees. The HF noise level is very low – there’s no development for miles. Copeland is probably a useful VHF/UHF site, because it looks out across a wide area of the eastern Plains, including parts of the Denver Metro area. The view west also includes some populated areas in the valleys across the Divide.

    I made 25 HF contacts on three bands from Copeland. It was a pleasure to operate from this wonderful high spot on a fine sunny day…never mind the wind!

    Copeland Mountain Radio Gear
    Copeland Mountain Radio Gear

    I saw no one on the mountain. It still amazes me that such fantastic mountain paradises are accessible from our cities, yet sometimes I have an entire alpine summit to myself all day!

    As nice as Copeland Mountain was for my climb, it could be a deadly place in bad weather. It’s totally exposed to severe lightning storms, high winds, hail, and snow. Wild Basin and the Divide generate strong storms when humid systems come into the area; this mountain should be avoided except in dry, stable weather. It’s impossible to descend quickly!

    I dreaded the descent when I was on top, but it wasn’t so bad. It’s very steep, and care is required most of the way down to tree-line.

    Copeland Mountain East Ridge View Down
    View Down Copeland Mountain’s East Ridge

    The dense forest was easier to descend than to ascend – I used my GPS track, and the game trails were where I needed them! The swampy bogs were full of wildflowers in sunny spots.

    I started the hike at 6:20 AM, and I was on the summit at 10:41 AM. I stayed on top until 1:03 PM, and I returned to the parking lot at 5:34 PM. It took slightly longer to descend than to ascend!

    Copeland Mountain is one of the best SOTA peaks I’ve activated. It’s totally a SOTA Classic, with its pristine wilderness location, stunning views, a very challenging route, and an excellent activation zone. I recommend it only to activators who are prepared for the serious effort it requires. Copeland is best climbed in ideal summer or fall weather with lightweight gear.

    73

    George Carey Fuller
    KX0R

    Copeland Mountain Sunrise
    Copeland Mountain Sunrise
    Copeland Mountain Columbines
    Copeland Mountain Columbines

    ATTENTION !! 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!

  • WØC/PR-118 (Pence Mount) – 3018 M / 9903 ft

    W0C/PR-118
    Pence Mount
    3018 M / 9903 ft
    March 28, 2015
    First Activation

    Pence Mount, or Mount Pence, is a moderately easy 3000 meter summit about 3-1/2 miles east of Squaw Mountain. This peak is perhaps 2/3 mile from the Squaw Pass Road, with an ascent of about 900 vertical feet.

    Mount Pence West Side from Squaw Highway
    Mount Pence from Squaw Highway

    In many ways Pence is an ideal SOTA peak, but this isn’t apparent at first.

    Mount Pence Summit Meadow
    Mount Pence Summit Meadow

    Please look at Google maps while reading these directions:

    To find the trailhead, drive west from Denver via I-70, and exit onto the Evergreen Parkway, Highway 74. At Bergen Park, turn right and drive west up the Squaw Pass Highway 66 several miles. Continue on 66 for about one mile after the second junction with the marked Old Squaw Pass Road 170. This is a very curvy section of road that winds along the north slopes of Mount Pence. Look for an obvious parking area on the left (southeast) side of the highway, at about 8940 feet elevation. There are two such pull-outs. Choose the second parking spot, just past where the road wraps almost a full circle left around a hill. This spot is ¼ mile north of where the road contours into a valley between Pence and Snyder mountains. If you drive too far, there is a very sharp right hairpin turn where the road goes near the creek – if so, turn around, drive back north ¼ mile, and park at the first large parking spot on your right. There is a jeep road with a steel cable across it, as well as USFS sign posts.

    Gated Road to NW Ridge of Mount Pence
    Gated Road to Northwest Ridge of Mount Pence

    The start of the jeep road is shown clearly on Google Maps. Please don’t block the road.

    There is no sign marking the path up Mount Pence. Hike up the hill about 100 feet, and then follow the road to the right and up the northwest ridge of Mount Pence.

    Closed Jeep Road up Mount Pence
    Closed Jeep Road up Mount Pence

    The road soon ends, but an informal, un-maintained trail continues up the forested ridge. The day I climbed Pence, the ridge was 90% snow, but bits of the trail were visible between the snow piles. If the ridge is all snow, forget the trail and just stay on the ridge to the top.

    Mount Pence NW Ridge Route
    Mount Pence Northwest Ridge Route

    This is a simple hike, almost a straight line up a ramp! The forest is moderately thick, so the summit isn’t visible until you’re there. There are nice views north as you ascend.

    Arapaho Peak from Mount Pence
    Arapaho Peak from Mount Pence

    Satellite images of Pence reveal many houses and roads just south of the summit. Initially I thought Pence might be private land. The houses are part of a mountain subdivision located 200 to 400 vertical feet below the summit, and most of them are not visible from the summit.

    Mount Pence View South
    Mount Pence View South

    The available evidence suggests that the northern part and activation zone of Mount Pence are on USFS land.

    The route up the northwest ridge has no “Posted” signs or fences. The only sign I saw near the summit indicated that shooting is not allowed behind the post – in the direction of the houses.

    Despite the satellite image, Pence is a surprisingly private, pleasant peak to activate. There is a large, nearly flat meadow on top, with trees to the north.

    Mount Pence Summit Meadow
    Mount Pence Summit Meadow

    The summit is a pile of rocks near the east end of the summit ridge. The activation zone is large and convenient, and the view south is spectacular. There is a faint path up the east ridge, but evidence of visitation is minimal.

    Mount Pence is a convenient summit with year-round access via a paved road close to the Denver area. The mountain provides an enjoyable snowshoe climb in winter and early spring. In warmer weather the hike is short and efficient. The summit has excellent VHF/UHF coverage across much of the Metro area, and it’s ideal for HF. The noise level was low when I was there, despite the houses less than 1000 feet away.

    Mount Pence Radio Gear
    Mount Pence Radio Gear

    Pence Mount, Mount Judge, Squaw Mountain, and Chief Mountain are all fun SOTA peaks, located a few miles from each other, and accessible via the Squaw Pass Road; they provide opportunities for efficient dual or multiple activations. The day I climbed Pence, I had no problem activating the more challenging Mount Judge on snowshoes, up through the forest on the north side.

    73

    George Carey Fuller
    KX0R

    ATTENTION !! 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!

  • WØC/FR-185 (Centennial Cone) – 2645 m / 8679 ft

    W0C/FR-185 (Centennial Cone)
    2645 m / 8679 ft
    30 Aug 2013
    27 Feb 2014

    by KX0R

    Centennial Cone is a fun, challenging summit with good access from three directions.

    Centennial Cone Trail Near Western Trail-head
    Centennial Cone Trail Near Western Trail-head

    To reach the convenient western trailhead, drive west from Golden, CO, up Route 6 in Clear Creek Canyon – follow the signs toward Blackhawk and Central City. You are definitely going gambling, but not at the Casinos! Shortly after Road 119 splits from Route 6 and heads north toward Central City, take a well-marked right turn toward Centennial Cone Park. The steep road is paved all the way to the Park. The popular Park is free and has good parking, but note that hikers are allowed only on odd-numbered weekend dates; or ride a bike on an even-numbered weekend day; or go on a weekday.  The Elk Range Trail to the peak may be closed during the winter and spring due to elk calving – check before you go!

    At the trailhead, you can see the well-named Cone 1-1/2 miles to the east.

    Centennial Cone West Side
    Centennial Cone West Side

    Walk northeast up the gentle Elk Range Trail about 1.4 miles; just before a saddle northwest of the Cone, leave the trail and head up southwest across a meadow, and aim for a little gulch going up into the forest. If you are lucky, you’ll find an old road leading to an abandoned pegmatite mine. Follow a faint path above the mine and continue up on game trails or whatever you can find, for about 500 vertical feet, until you reach the top. The map suggests that the northeast ridge might be a better but longer route from the saddle mentioned above – however, access may be closed below there.

    The summit also can be accessed from the south side via a direct bushwhack hike.

    Centennial Cone South Side Bushwhack Route
    Centennial Cone South Side Bushwhack Route

    This route is slightly easier and longer than the northwest bushwhack route above the pegmatite mine. An obvious old road leads around the west side of the Cone from the Elk Range Trail.

    Here’s another interesting detailed report.

    The peak sees few visitors, and it’s a fine, quiet radio site. The summit area is large and open, there are large trees available, and the 360-degree view shows you everything you miss from Route 6 in the canyon far below.

    The site has pretty good VHF/UHF coverage of the plains to the east, as well as all directions for HF. There is some shelter from wind in the Activation Zone just east of the summit.

    Centennial Cone Activation East of Summit
    Centennial Cone Activation East of Summit

    Fall access is possible if you pick the right day and perhaps a different route up, but check the website for extensive closures, as the park and/or trail are closed for most of the winter and spring to protect the elk.

    73

    George Carey Fuller
    KX0R

    ATTENTION !! 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!

  • WØC/FR-Ø55 (Kenny Mountain) – 2832 m / 9290 ft

    W0C/FR-055
    Kenny Mountain
    2832 m / 9290 ft
    Aug 30, 2014

    by KX0R

    Kenny Mountain is not an ordinary SOTA activation. At the time of this report, it’s difficult to access, and because it’s in the middle of a huge burned forest, it has its own challenges and rewards.

    Kenny Mountain from Pierson
    Kenny Mountain from Pierson

    I avoided going near Kenny for a long time. When I planned my second activation of nearby Pierson Mountain W0C/FR-160, I decided to try Kenny if there was enough time. The weather was good, so climbing Kenny went well – but it was a long day by the time I returned to the trailhead in Hermit Park.

    Meadows in Hermit Park at Southern Trailhead
    Meadows in Hermit Park at Southern Trailhead

    The following section is the first part of the report for Pierson – it applies to Kenny as well. Either Pierson or Kenny can be done first during an all-day dual activation starting at Hermit Park.

    This report covers my hike on Aug 30, 2014. I chose a route that begins in Hermit Park, a few miles south of Estes Park. There are several other ways to approach Pierson, which stands in an isolated part of the Roosevelt National Forest. The September 2013 floods did heavy damage to the region east of Longs Peak. The area around Pierson was affected by the flooding, and many roads and trails were officially closed after the floods. Most of the closed trails have been re-opened to foot travel, including the route described here, so getting to Pierson is not difficult.

    The trailhead I used is at the southern gate of the main Hermit Park access road. To reach Hermit Park, drive from Lyons northwest on Route 36. Several miles north of Pinewood Springs, travel through a long ascending meadow area; just south of the top of the big hill that descends to Estes Park, turn left at the sign to Hermit Park. This is a Larimer County Open Space Park, and a fee is required for entry. Drive into the Park and follow the unpaved main road for several pleasant miles, all the way to the gated end, with a large parking area near a huge meadow. Google maps shows this road, but those maps don’t show most of the other key roads and trails used for this hike. Be sure you have a topo map before proceeding further; a GPS with detailed maps is useful also.

    From Hermit Park follow the marked trail to Homestead Meadows. This route begins on a gated road along the meadow, and then it heads off into the woods as a trail up over a saddle. Next the trail descends to a gated jeep road that ascends again, and that leads all the way to the Homestead Meadows in the National Forest. There are several old historical buildings around the Meadows, and this area is a popular hiking destination.

    Brown Homestead in Northern Homestead Meadows
    Brown Homestead in Northern Homestead Meadows

    Unfortunately the 2013 floods destroyed the popular trail up Lion Gulch, and that access route is currently closed. See the report on my Nov 15, 2013 activation. When the Lion Gulch Trail re-opens, it will provide a shorter access than the Hermit Park route.

    The next part is specific to the hike Kenny. This is how you would hike if you’re going to activate Kenny first or by itself:

    Follow the Homestead Meadow road southeast past Lion Head and Lion Gulch, and continue southeast of Lion Head ridge on the jeep road. At first follow signs to the Engert Homestead and the Hill Homestead. Before those destinations, the road climbs a low ridge up to 8600 feet. Near the ridge-top, turn left and head southeast on an old jeep road toward Kenny, which is visible more than a mile to the east. This mostly flat road will take you quickly more than half way to Kenny. Follow the road to a large meadow at about 8700 feet.

    Engert Homestead Site - House was Burned Up!
    Engert Homestead Site – House was Burned Up!

    Leave the road and head east along the gentle ridge toward the north end of Kenny. The goal is to ascend via the prominent north ridge of Kenny.

    Kenny Mountain Northwest Ridge - View from the West
    Kenny Mountain Northwest Ridge – View from the West

    This is a classic bushwhack trip. There are some parts with useful game trails or other obvious routes, and there are other parts where you just pick the best route you can see. Some of the ridge-top is too craggy, so bypass those problems on the west side. Avoid the steep west slopes of Kenny. The best route is near the ridge-top most of the way. There are many burned, fallen trees in a few areas, so choose your line to avoid the worst of the devastated forest.

    Bushwhacking through these burned areas is not as hard as it might seem. Visibility is good, so route-finding is much easier than in a thick, live forest.

    Kenny Mountain Hike - Typical Terrain
    Kenny Mountain Hike – Typical Terrain

    There are many fallen trees, and they slow the pace, but where there’s a will, there’s a way. Travel light and be careful. I was on top of Kenny with much less effort than I expected.

    The summit is a high exposed rock, and the Activation Zone is large and open.

    Kenny Mountain Summit
    Kenny Mountain Summit

    I found a pleasant grassy area south of the summit, with many live trees, and I put my wire up over a branch with a fishing pole.

    There was a brief rain shower, but the activation went well, and Kenny was very enjoyable. There are views all around, and very few people go up there.

    This is a great HF site, with no development close by, and there is little RF noise. HF propagation at low angles is possible in all directions. Kenny has a good view east out to the Plains, so it may be a good VHF/UHF site as well.

    View East from Kenny Mountain
    View East from Kenny Mountain

    The return hike to Hermit Park was long, but it went fast, and I was back to the car well before sunset. The Homestead Meadows are wonderful in the late summer afternoon. Nevertheless, if you hike south to Kenny Mountain from Hermit Park, start early, and try to pick a dry day. Take plenty of water!

    The round-trip hike from Hermit Park to Kenny Mountain measures 12.1 miles. The total vertical ascent is well over 1000 feet, but it’s spread over small hills and valleys; most of the gain is on the northwest side of Kenny. Much of the hike is on closed roads, and these are fast and fun; these roads are now re-opened to bicycles. There is some road-damage from the September 2013 floods, but it’s minimal in the Homestead Meadows, as well as on the slopes of Kenny Mountain.

    An activation of Kenny Mountain is a big hike through wonderful scenic meadows full of history – the activation provides a nice rest-break, up high, with fine views out across the burned forest.

    View West from Kenny Mountain Summit
    View West from Kenny Mountain Summit

    Weather and time permitting, a dual activation of nearby Pierson Mountain is practical. Depending on the exact route, this trip will require between 15 and 17 total miles to complete. It’s possible to short-cut across Lions Head Ridge between the Meadows and Pierson, but it’s a rough bushwhack trip, and I doubt that it saves any time or effort, even though it looks OK on the topo map!

    Pierson Mountain and Lion Head South Ridge from Kenny Mountain
    Pierson Mountain and Lion Head South Ridge from Kenny Mountain

    After some thought, I rate the dual activation as a SOTA Classic – but only on a good day! I really like Pierson Mountain, the valley behind Lions Head, the Hill Homestead, and the journey through the Homestead Meadows.

    An advantage of hiking in from Hermit Park, aside from the wonderful scenic tour of the whole region, is that Kenny Mountain can be activated during the same hike with Pierson Mountain, with only a few additional miles added to the loop. The additional vertical ascent is minimized. With the Lion Gulch Trail currently closed, getting to Kenny is not easy, so it’s worth planning an all-day trip to make the most of the long hike.

    Pierson – and Kenny – can also be accessed more directly from the East Fork of Fish Creek, northwest of Pierson and Lion Head. I have not hiked that area, but I believe there is a practical route over there.

    73

    George Carey Fuller

    KX0R

     

    ATTENTION !! 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!

  • WØC/FR-16Ø (Pierson Mountain) – 2988 m / 9803 ft (via Hermit Park)

    W0C/FR-160
    Pierson Mountain
    2988 m / 9803 ft
    Nov 15, 2013
    Aug 30, 2014

    by KX0R

    Pierson Mountain is a moderate, pleasant summit to climb, and it offers a fun SOTA activation on the right day. My hikes to the summit were long, interesting trips through a beautiful area rich in history. This report covers my hike on Aug 30, 2014.

    Pierson Mountain and Lion Head from Taylor Mountain
    Pierson Mountain and Lion Head from Taylor Mountain

    I chose a route that begins in Hermit Park, a few miles south of Estes Park. There are several other ways to approach Pierson, which stands in an isolated part of the Roosevelt National Forest. The September 2013 floods did heavy damage to the region east of Longs Peak. The area around Pierson was affected by the flooding, and many roads and trails were officially closed after the floods. Most of the closed trails have been re-opened to foot travel, including the route described here, so getting to Pierson is not difficult.

    The trailhead I used is at the southern gate of the main Hermit Park access road. To reach Hermit Park, drive from Lyons northwest on Route 36. Several miles north of Pinewood Springs, travel through a long ascending meadow area; just south of the top of the big hill that descends to Estes Park, turn left at the sign to Hermit Park. This is a Larimer County Open Space Park, and a fee is required for entry. Drive into the Park and follow the unpaved main road for several pleasant miles, all the way to the gated end, with a large parking area near a huge meadow.  Click this link for a map!

    Meadows in Hermit Park at Southern Trailhead
    Meadow in Hermit Park at Southern Trailhead

    Google maps show this road, but those maps don’t show most of the other key roads and trails used for this hike. Be sure you have a topo map before proceeding further; a GPS with detailed maps is useful also.

    From Hermit Park follow the marked trail to Homestead Meadows. This route begins on a gated road along the meadow, and then it heads off into the woods as a trail up over a saddle. Next the trail descends to a gated jeep road that ascends again, and that leads all the way to the Homestead Meadows in the National Forest. There are several old historical buildings around the Meadows, and this area is a popular hiking destination.

    Brown Homestead in North Part of Homestead Meadows
    Brown Homestead in North Part of Homestead Meadows

    Unfortunately the 2013 floods destroyed the popular trail up Lion Gulch, and that access route is currently closed. See my report on my Nov 15, 2013 activation. When the Lion Gulch Trail re-opens, it will provide a shorter access than the Hermit Park route.

    Follow the Homestead Meadow road southeast past Lion Head on the west and Lion Gulch to the east, and circle all the way around the southeast end of the Lion Head ridge. Follow signs to the Engert Homestead, the Hill Homestead, and Pierson Park. Continue up over a low ridge, and then down about ½ mile to the southwest on an eroded jeep road. There is a sign on the west side of the road marking the trail to the Hill Homestead, up in the valley that ascends between Pierson and Lion Head – follow this path. The trail gets better as it ascends – eventually the old Hill Homestead ruins appear on the east side of the trail, along with other artifacts from about 100 years ago. This is a nice spot for a break and photos. There may be creek water available here, if you have a pump-filter.

    Hill Homestead Ruins
    Hill Homestead Ruins

    It’s about one mile and 1000 vertical feet up to the saddle between Lion Head and Pierson, from where the path leaves the jeep road. Head southwest from this saddle, follow a game trail through the woods, and ascend the ridge to Pierson. This path leads up the slopes just east of the ridge-top. Go over or around a false summit, and continue south along the ridge for about 1000 feet to the actual summit.

    The pleasant forested area of the peak is ideal for setting up and activating. There are large pine trees available for antennas – no pole is required.

    The amazing view west reveals a huge recent mudflow on the east side of Twin Sisters Mountain. From Pierson you can see most of the National Forest between the Peak-to-Peak Highway and Route 36. Very few people live up there, and it’s near-wilderness, especially after the 2013 flood.

    Twin Sisters Mountain and 2013 Mudslide from Pierson Mountain
    Twin Sisters Mountain and 2013 Mudslide from Pierson Mountain

    It’s possible to take a short-cut from Homestead Meadows up across the Lion Head ridge and access the saddle between Lion Head and Pierson by a more direct, steeper route. This is a bushwhack trip, and some posted private land must be avoided.

    East Side of Lion Head Bushwhack Route
    East Side of Lion Head Bushwhack Route

    The longer route described above is actually more reasonable, because it’s relatively flat, the hike is fast, and it’s very safe. With a little extra time, you can visit several of the homesteads to see what life was like for the early settlers in this isolated, beautiful area.

    Pierson can also be accessed more directly from the East Fork of Fish Creek northwest of Pierson and Lion Head. I have not hiked that area, but I believe there is a practical route over there; in particular, there is a trail up the west side of the Pierson-Lion Head saddle. There is private land that must be avoided – a large ranch is visible below Pierson on the west side.

    One advantage of hiking from Hermit Park, aside from the wonderful scenic tour of the Homestead Meadows, is that Kenny Mountain can be activated during the same expedition, with only a few additional miles added to the loop. With the Lion Gulch Trail currently closed, getting to Kenny is not easy, so it may be worth planning an all-day SOTA dual-activation trip to make the most of this long hike.

    Kenny Mountain from Pierson
    Kenny Mountain from Pierson

    See my report on Kenny Mountain W0C/FR-055.

    73

    George Carey Fuller
    KX0R

    ATTENTION !! 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!

  • WØC/FR-16Ø (Pierson Mountain) – 2988 m / 9803 ft (via Lion Gulch)

    W0C/FR-160
    Pierson Mountain
    2988 m / 9803 ft
    Nov 15, 2013

    by KX0R

    My first trip up Pierson Mountain was one of my most challenging SOTA activations. It was especially difficult with the short day and tricky weather on Nov 15, 2013.

    Pierson Mountain from Hill Creek Trail
    Pierson Mountain from Hill Creek Trail on Nov 15, 2013

    Highway 36 northwest of Lyons was partly destroyed and closed by the September Floods, but it was re-opened in early November; I had seen cars parked at Lion Gulch a week before my hike, so I assumed the trail was useable. I Checked the USFS website, and there was no mention of the popular trail being closed. It was very windy on Highway 36, so my SOTA activation seemed uncertain. I drove to Lion Gulch with my gear; I arrived before 9 AM. There were no warning signs at the trailhead, but with all the destruction along Highway 36 near Lyons, I had a feeling there might be some problems down in the canyon. I saw a group of hunters with rifles start down the trail, only to return a few minutes later.

    At Lion Gulch the wind was not strong, so I decided to start the hike. When I descended down to the creek, I saw the extent of the 500-year flood’s destruction. The old bridge was still there, but it was useless. Because the water-flow was minimal, I had no problem crossing the icy creek – and so I headed toward the Gulch. I found the remains of the trail on the north side of Lion Gulch Creek and headed west up the Gulch. In the canyon there was massive, continuous flood destruction.

    Lion Gulch Flood #1
    Lion Gulch Flood Damage and Washed-Out Trail at Left

    There were numerous washouts, huge live fallen trees stacked up, enormous boulders, and new creek paths cut deep. The raging creek had filled the width of the canyon. At first I was able to follow the trail, but farther west, I found a long difficult section, where much of the trail was washed out, covered by fallen trees, or severely damaged.

    This was no ordinary bushwhack trip – this was Mother Nature’s obstacle course! I questioned the reality of what I saw many times – the old, sweet, familiar trail up Lion Gulch was gone, and there I was, working to connect the dots! Repeatedly I found detours created by others, followed the new “trail”, and passed around numerous blockades. The worst obstacles required creek crossings and climbing over piles of logs and trees. The creek was low, so the crossings were easy. There was ice along the creek; it’s dark and cold in the canyon in mid-November. At times I thought of going home, because there was no reason to believe that I could make it up the canyon far enough to get past the flood damage. It was a test of will.

    Lion Gulch Alterations after the Flood
    Lion Gulch Alterations after the Flood

    The main worry was not the incredibly ravaged Canyon, or the lack of a distinct trail, but the realization that returning through the Canyon after dark would be almost impossible, even with a light…this was no ordinary SOTA activation.

    At about 2 miles from the trailhead, the gradient of the Gulch moderates, and I could travel the original trail, for the most part. There were several places where the trail was severely slumped across or totally washed out, but the detours were easy.

    Lion Gulch Trail Slump
    Lion Gulch Trail Slump

    Closer to the Homestead Meadows, the trail was pretty good, and I managed to make time. I decided to go for the summit for sure. It was sunny, the wind was no problem, and the sky was blue! I found the old signs and trail to the southern Homesteads and headed south.

    There’s a short-cut path called Cat’s Paw, followed by a series of old dirt tracks – mainly FR 120 – that head south and southwest. That road eventually leads to Pierson Park – 4 miles from the first sign at Lion Gulch. This is also the way to Hill Homestead and Pierson Mountain. The road goes southwest up over a hill, and then down 300 vertical feet in about ½ mile to the southwest and west. The road has severe gullies from the floods. Even the meadows show erosion from four days of heavy rain!

    After passing the Hancock Homestead down the hill, there’s a marked junction where a path leads right, northwest, up to the old Hill Homestead. Initially the route is a single track that has been washed too deep to walk in. The path leads through the meadows, with Lion Head looming up to the north. Soon the remains of Hill Homestead appear – the house has fallen in, but the stove and bed are there. It was built in 1916.

    An outhouse and other wooden structures stand around the Homestead. The meadows are beautiful – the floods did little real damage up there – just extra erosion on the path and in the small creek. This is a special place with the acres of open forest and fields.

    HIgh Meadows near Lion Head above Hill Homestead
    HIgh Meadows near Lion Head above Hill Homestead

    The trail leads on up through the high meadows, progressively steeper, all the way to the forested saddle. There’s an old lean-to and a few artifacts from a campsite at the saddle.

    I headed southwest into the woods and picked up a game trail that generally follows the left side of the ridge up to Pierson. It’s about 9450 feet elevation at the saddle and almost 9800 feet at the first (false) summit. The real summit is about 300 yards south, but the route is easy through aspens along the ridge. The summit is a forested rocky top with a limited view. There is a notebook in a jar on the top – I signed. I reached the real summit at about 12:15 MST, which was amazing!

    Pierson Activation Zone and Summit behind the Trees
    Pierson Activation Zone and Summit behind the Trees

    There is a nice view of Twin Sisters Mountain from the south point of the real summit. I was stunned to see the huge new mudslide on the east side of the Mountain.

    View from Pierson Mountain to Twin Sisters, with New 2013 Mudslide on East Side of the Mountain
    View from Pierson Mountain to Twin Sisters, with New 2013 Mudslide on East Side of the Mountain

    A large rock and a flat spot nearby provide a good windbreak and radio-operating spot. With limited time available, I used a small fishing pole to get a Dacron line and then my 66 foot wire over a dead tree limb 35 feet up. The wire actually had to go over the branch and then about 10 feet farther – the line was over a second tree. Most of the wire was sloping down at about 35 degrees to the operating point. I loaded up on 15M at about 12:30 MST, and it worked great. I made 21 contacts on 15M CW. Signals were very strong with the solar flux about 175. I could hear echoes on several strong stations. We traded nice reports. There was very little noise – what a classic site! The East Coast and southeast signals were strong, and so were the CA and OR guys, as well as big signals from TX and AZ. The 66 foot wire worked well, never mind what the pattern was. The Reversed Beacon Network spotted me at 27 db at K3LR.

    I had planned also to operate on 20M and 40M, but clouds moved in, the temperature went down to about 40, and a few flakes of snow came down. At 12:50, fearing that much more snow might move in, I packed up and got off the summit. On the way down there was more snow flying – but it eventually blew by, and the weather improved slightly. The trip out was as fast as I could sustain – I was worried about going through the devastated Gulch in the dark, with sunset at 4:45. Although I was tired, the tricky trip down through Lion Gulch was OK – I remembered most of the key detours and crossings. I didn’t see anyone in there the whole day!

    When I got to the Lion Gulch Trailhead at 4:04 PM, I found that the USFS had closed the trail that day, unknown to me! It was not closed when I started my hike. Another man I met at the Trailhead told me he had also hiked the entire Gulch, and he had made it to the Homestead Meadows OK. The Lion Gulch Trail will be closed a long time.

    At the time of this report in March 2015, the Lion Gulch Trail is still closed, but the scenic back routes to Homestead Meadows are open to hikers. Please see my report on how to reach Pearson Mountain via the trailhead in Hermit Park.

    The Lion Gulch round-trip to Pierson Mountain and back was 12.5 miles, with a total vertical gain of 2750 feet – this includes 350 feet of ascent on the return trip. The total time was 7 hours, including about 45 minutes on the summit.

    George Carey Fuller
    KX0R

    Sign at East Side of Homestead Meadows
    Sign at East Side of Homestead Meadows

    ATTENTION !! 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!