{"id":5254,"date":"2015-02-22T17:29:54","date_gmt":"2015-02-23T00:29:54","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/?p=5254"},"modified":"2017-01-28T21:13:13","modified_gmt":"2017-01-29T04:13:13","slug":"w0cfr064-west-crosier-mountain-2744-9020-ft","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/sota-trip-report\/w0cfr064-west-crosier-mountain-2744-9020-ft\/","title":{"rendered":"W\u00d8C\/FR-\u00d864 (West Crosier Mountain) – 2749 m \/ 9020 ft"},"content":{"rendered":"

W0C\/FR-064
\nWest Crosier Mountain<\/a>
\n2749 m \/ 9020 ft<\/p>\n

W0C\/FR-057
\nCrosier Mountain<\/a>
\n2819 m \/ 9250 ft<\/p>\n

Sep 6, 2014<\/p>\n

by KX0R<\/p>\n

Please see K0MOS\u2019s excellent report<\/a> on Crosier Mountain<\/a> for details on the trailheads, access, etc. Much of my report here deals with the dual activation of both summits.<\/p>\n

Crosier<\/a> and West Crosier<\/a> Mountains are twin summits located several miles north of Estes Park, near Glen Haven<\/a>. With an early start and good weather, both mountains can be climbed and activated in one expedition. These two peaks make a good 8-point SOTA day.<\/p>\n

\"Crosier<\/a>

Crosier Mountain View – West Crosier and Mummy Peak<\/p><\/div>\n

There are three public trails<\/a> to Crosier Mountain<\/a>. These trails, and most roads and trails nearby, were closed after the 2013 floods. I chose the Crosier Rainbow Trail 981, because I had information that it was open, and that the parking was OK. Good parking is available at the \u201cgravel pit\u201d trailhead along road 43, on the south side of the road, about 1.4 miles down the creek from Glen Haven. \u00a0There are signs at the start of the trail.<\/p>\n

\"Rainbow<\/a>

Rainbow Trail-head and Signs near Gravel-Pit<\/p><\/div>\n

Take plenty of water. Climb up moderately steep, efficient trail 918 about 2 miles to a T-junction with Trail 931.<\/p>\n

\"Sign<\/a>

Sign at T-Junction of Trails 918 and 931<\/p><\/div>\n

Turn southeast at the signed trail junction, and continue about a mile to the signed junction with the Summit Trail. Turn right, west, and climb about \u00bd mile up the southeast side of the mountain. The trail is pretty good. The summit is large, with some nice rocks right at the peak.<\/p>\n

\"Crosier<\/a>

Crosier Summit and View West to RMNP<\/p><\/div>\n

I set up about 100 feet southeast of the peak, at a convenient open spot with nice views. I ran my 67 foot end-fed wire southeast across the large meadow, and tied it off with a long Dacron string to an elevated tree on the far side. This was an excellent antenna!<\/p>\n

\"Crosier<\/a>

Crosier Mountain Activation Site<\/p><\/div>\n

A few people climb Crosier. There is private space in the woods on the northwest side of the summit. The southwest side looks down over 1000 vertical feet. There are nice views, and the mountain top is wonderful on a good day!<\/p>\n

To connect with West Crosier, it\u2019s tempting to descend the west ridge and find a way directly down to the saddle between the two mountains. There are cliffs and huge rocks on the west side of Crosier, and it\u2019s steep. There probably is a workable route, but it may require dropping down steep, rocky gullies between the rock formations. There is no way to find it quickly from above. If you go too far north, there is a large, dense lodge-pole forest on the north and northwest side of Crosier that is surely Hell. It extends around to the northeast side and even along the trail. It looks difficult to penetrate.<\/p>\n

\"Crosier<\/a>

West Side of Crosier Mountain from West Crosier Mountain<\/p><\/div>\n

I decided to take the \u201cbetter safe than sorry\u201d approach to West Crosier.<\/p>\n

I followed the summit trail back down to the junction with the main trail 931, turned northwest, and followed 931 back to the signed junction with Rainbow Trail 981, and then I continued down 931 about \u00bc mile to Piper Meadows. This is a huge, beautiful meadow with open views to the northwest.<\/p>\n

\"Piper<\/a>

Piper Meadows View North<\/p><\/div>\n

The trail through the Meadows leads down to Glen Haven. At Piper Meadows there is a sign for the H BAR G Ranch, which is about 1-1\/2 miles to the southwest.<\/p>\n\n\t\t