{"id":4856,"date":"2015-02-06T23:28:38","date_gmt":"2015-02-07T06:28:38","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/?p=4856"},"modified":"2017-01-28T21:38:42","modified_gmt":"2017-01-29T04:38:42","slug":"w0cpr076-jackstraw-mountain-3560-11704-ft","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/sota-trip-report\/w0cpr076-jackstraw-mountain-3560-11704-ft\/","title":{"rendered":"W\u00d8C\/PR-\u00d876 (Jackstraw Mountain) – 3567 m \/ 11704 ft"},"content":{"rendered":"

W0C\/PR-076
\nJackstraw Mountain
\n3567 m \/ 11704 ft
\nAugust 24, 2014
\nFirst Activation<\/p>\n

By KX0R<\/p>\n

Jackstraw Mountain<\/a> is a minor summit adjacent to Mount Ida<\/a> and the Continental Divide<\/a> in Rocky Mountain National Park<\/a>. Because the peak is in wilderness far from roads, it takes a significant effort to activate it \u2013 but it\u2019s fun!<\/p>\n

\"View<\/a>

View North across Plateau toward Jackstraw Summit<\/p><\/div>\n

There is no trail to the top of Jackstraw<\/a>, but the popular Timber Lake Trail<\/a> runs within 0.6 miles of the summit. The remaining 1-plus-mile off-trail hike is a nice introduction to the sub-alpine zone of the National Park.<\/p>\n

To reach the trail-head, drive to Estes Park, continue into the Park, drive over Trail Ridge Road<\/a>, and descend into the Colorado River drainage<\/a> on the west side of the Park. Head south for about 1.5 miles from the last switchback, and park at the marked Timber Creek trail-head<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The trail starts at 9050 feet and leads south, gradually ascending the west side of Jackstraw. The route is steep from 9200 to 10,000 feet, and then it moderates. Unfortunately there is a huge mudslide at about 9900 feet, and a tricky detour is required to climb above the head of the slide and back down to the trail. There are strict warning signs; crossing the slide is virtually impossible, because it is a dense 3-D matrix of interlocked trees and branches. Getting around the slide is the hardest part of the hike up Jackstraw. Hopefully the trail will be restored in 2015.<\/p>\n

\"Landslide<\/a>

Landslide Warning on Timber Lake Trail<\/p><\/div>\n

When I climbed Jackstraw, I followed the Timber Lake Trail to about 10,150 feet, and then I headed north up the slopes. After several hundred vertical feet of steep bushwhacking up through fallen trees, the mountain\u2019s slope is more gentle, and the sub-alpine forest opens up. There are obvious game trails. The remaining 1000 vertical feet are along a pleasant ridge leading up to alpine meadows bordered by krummholz<\/a> thickets. There is a false summit \u2013 Jackstraw\u2019s peak is near the north edge of the alpine plateau.<\/p>\n

There is a nice alternate route up Jackstraw. Instead of heading up through the steep woods at 10,150 feet, as described above, continue climbing on the Timber Lake Trail to about 10,800 feet; near the \u201cRockslide\u201d camp site, head up northwest into a deep valley leading up the south side of the summit. There are well-used game trails in the upper levels of this lush wilderness. Follow the drainage up a steep grassy slope to the saddle south of Jackstraw, between the two summits, and climb the ridge to the top. I descended this wonderful route, and I think it\u2019s more scenic than the southwest ridge, provided most of the snow is melted out.<\/p>\n

\"Southeast<\/a>

Southeast Valley of Jackstraw and Mount Ida<\/p><\/div>\n

The broad summit is almost flat, with convenient thickets providing protection from wind. You can set up and activate wherever you like in the large activation zone. This peak sees few human visitors, but there are signs of many animals. The views of Mount Ida high above – Specimen Mountain to the north – and Timber Lake in its cirque to the southeast – create a feeling of being deep in the wilderness.<\/p>\n\n\t\t