{"id":4588,"date":"2015-01-28T21:23:44","date_gmt":"2015-01-29T04:23:44","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/?p=4588"},"modified":"2015-02-16T15:54:01","modified_gmt":"2015-02-16T22:54:01","slug":"w0cpr018-square-top-mountain-4196-13794-ft","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/sota-trip-report\/w0cpr018-square-top-mountain-4196-13794-ft\/","title":{"rendered":"W\u00d8C\/PR-\u00d818 (Square Top Mountain) – 4196 m \/ 13794 ft"},"content":{"rendered":"

W0C\/PR-018
\nSquare Top Mountain
\n4196 m \/ 13794 ft
\nJuly 18, 2014<\/p>\n

by KX0R<\/p>\n

Square Top Mountain<\/a> is a high, alpine SOTA<\/a> peak accessible from Guanella Pass<\/a>. A marked trail leads part way to the top, and the rest of the route is up across the easy tundra. It\u2019s about 3.4 miles each way, and the ascent is about 2300 vertical feet. The huge summit is often pleasant in summer, with fine views all around.<\/p>\n

\"Sqaure<\/a>

Sqaure Top Trail – from Trailhead<\/p><\/div>\n

To get to the high trailhead, Drive west of Denver on I-70. Exit at Georgetown<\/a> and follow the signs through town to Guanella Pass. Drive up the steep paved road all the way to the Pass at 11,600 feet. Get there early, as the area is extremely popular on weekends, and parking can be a problem. The trailhead for Square Top<\/a> is on the west side of the Pass, at the far end of the parking lot. This popular trail is not shown on Google maps. Follow the path for about two miles across the high tundra, and approach the first Square Top Lake at about 12,000 feet.<\/p>\n

\"Lower<\/a>

Lower Square Top Lake at 12,000 Feet<\/p><\/div>\n

Do not go all the way to the Lake – unless you wish to take a side trip – instead, cross the small creek below the Lake, follow the main trail southwest, and ascend the top of a low ridge. A sign marks the choice between continuing down to South Park Trail 600 or up to Square Top Mountain. Leave the trail and head up the ridge toward the mountain.<\/p>\n

\"Square<\/a>

Square Top Route Sign Pointing to Summit<\/p><\/div>\n

The route is not marked the rest of the way. Stay left of the obvious cliffs on the east side of the ridge. Follow the ridge-top and climb to the summit.<\/p>\n

\"Square<\/a>

Square Top Route to Summit<\/p><\/div>\n

The peak is half a mile long and broad near the top. The actual summit is near the west end, with a large activation zone. The top is rocky with many flat spots. It is possible to get out of the wind in the lee of the peak. The day I was there it was cold and windy, in the low 40\u2019s, despite the mid-summer date. Even though there are people coming and going, you can escape them by dropping down from the top.<\/p>\n\n\t\t