{"id":5618,"date":"2015-04-02T22:00:39","date_gmt":"2015-04-03T04:00:39","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/?p=5618"},"modified":"2017-01-28T20:40:17","modified_gmt":"2017-01-29T03:40:17","slug":"w0cfr185-centennial-cone-2640-8679-ft","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/sota-trip-report\/w0cfr185-centennial-cone-2640-8679-ft\/","title":{"rendered":"W\u00d8C\/FR-185 (Centennial Cone) – 2645 m \/ 8679 ft"},"content":{"rendered":"

W0C\/FR-185 (Centennial Cone)
\n2645 m \/ 8679 ft
\n30 Aug 2013
\n27 Feb 2014<\/p>\n

by KX0R<\/p>\n

Centennial Cone<\/a> is a fun, challenging summit with good access from three directions.<\/p>\n

\"Centennial<\/a>

Centennial Cone Trail Near Western Trail-head<\/p><\/div>\n

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.<\/a> 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. \u00a0The Elk Range Trail to the peak may be closed during the winter and spring due to elk calving – check before you go!<\/p>\n

At the trailhead, you can see the well-named Cone 1-1\/2 miles to the east.<\/p>\n

\"Centennial<\/a>

Centennial Cone West Side<\/p><\/div>\n

Walk northeast up the gentle Elk Range Trail<\/a> 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 \u2013 however, access may be closed below there.<\/p>\n

The summit also can be accessed from the south side via a direct bushwhack hike.<\/p>\n

\"Centennial<\/a>

Centennial Cone South Side Bushwhack Route<\/p><\/div>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Here’s another interesting detailed report<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The peak sees few visitors, and it\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\t\t