{"id":4523,"date":"2015-01-25T13:24:11","date_gmt":"2015-01-25T20:24:11","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/?p=4523"},"modified":"2015-02-16T16:04:15","modified_gmt":"2015-02-16T23:04:15","slug":"w0cpr036-kelso-mountain-4004-13164-ft","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/sota-trip-report\/w0cpr036-kelso-mountain-4004-13164-ft\/","title":{"rendered":"W\u00d8C\/PR-\u00d836 (Kelso Mountain) – 4004 m \/ 13164 ft"},"content":{"rendered":"

W0C\/PR-036
\nKelso Mountain
\n4004 m \/ 13164 ft
\nJuly 13, 2014
\nFirst Activation<\/p>\n

By KX0R<\/p>\n

Kelso Mountain<\/a> is a minor summit adjacent to the mighty twin 14-ers Grays and Torreys<\/a> Peaks. I was surprised how much fun it was to activate Kelso!<\/p>\n

\"Grays<\/a>

Grays and Torreys from Kelso<\/p><\/div>\n

To reach the trailhead, drive west of Denver on I-70, and exit at mile 221. Drive south and start up the rough Stevens Gulch Road 321. The condition of this road has deteriorated in recent years, and it may not be passable in cars. When I drove my old VW bug up in July 2014, the road was badly in need of repair at about 10,400 feet \u2013 I barely made it through a large hole in a steep eroded section. Inquire before going too far. This is a good place to avoid on a busy weekend. If you can get to the trailhead one way or another, a wonderful hike is possible.<\/p>\n

Leave the Stevens Gulch Trailhead at 11,300 feet, cross the creek on a bridge and head up the trail to the southwest. After less than 2 miles, the trail approaches the saddle between Kelso and Torreys, to the north. About \u00bc mile before the saddle, at a creek-crossing at 12,200 feet, leave the trail and hike north up the south ridge of Kelso. This is a beautiful alpine meadow filled with flowers \u2013 step carefully.<\/p>\n

\"Alpine<\/a>

Alpine Sunflowers on Kelso Mountain<\/p><\/div>\n

The remaining hike up to Kelso is about a mile and almost 1000 vertical feet. It starts steep and then gets easy toward the top of the ridge.<\/p>\n\n\t\t