Key points:<\/p>\n
\u2022 Brainard Lake Recreation Area<\/a> Driving Directions:<\/p>\n \u2022 Drive west from Boulder via Highway 119 to Nederland. Useful details:<\/p>\n The route to Audubon is in the Indian Peaks Wilderness; this is a protected area with special rules. There’s a charge for entry via the Brainard Lake Road. It\u2019s essential to start early, especially on a summer weekend; the area is very popular, and parking is limited.<\/p>\n Early in the morning it may be possible to drive to the Mitchell Lake Trailhead, and to park there \u2013 otherwise, parking may be available near Brainard Lake. Parking at Brainard Lake adds about 3\/4 mile to the hike \u2013 each direction. At the Mitchell Lake Trailhead, be careful to start out on the Mount Audubon Trail \u2013 not the Mitchell Lake Trail.<\/p>\n Mount Audubon is visible from Brainard Lake – it\u2019s the huge 13-er to the northwest.<\/p>\n Mount Audubon from Brainard Lake<\/p><\/div>\n One of the most accessible high peaks in the northern Front Range, Audubon is climbed often. The trail is worn and rocky from decades of heavy use.<\/p>\n The Hike:<\/p>\n \u2022 Start up the Mount Audubon Trail There are fine views from the trail and the peak, snow lingers into the summer, and alpine wildflowers cover the high slopes \u2013 the popularity of this mountain is justified!<\/p>\n Mount Audubon Trail<\/p><\/div>\n Mount Audubon Columbines<\/p><\/div>\n Activation Details:<\/p>\n Mount Audubon is a friendly place in good weather. Although it was sunny and dry when I was there, the wind was so roaring so strong that I wasn\u2019t sure if I could do my activation. Although the spacious summit is almost flat, I couldn\u2019t set up on the windy top; I searched for a spot with minimal wind. I found my place on the east side, about 30 feet below the summit, among large boulders. The wind was roaring and hissing across the edge of the peak above, but I was able to set up my pole in the rocks and guy it securely. My spot was well south of the trail, off the routes used by other hikers.<\/p>\n Mount Audubon Activation<\/p><\/div>\n Once the pole and wire were up and dancing, there were no more problems getting on the air and starting the activation. Setting up in a rock-pile is sometimes the only worthwhile option when winds are extreme; considerable care is required to avoid dropping small, critical items down into holes among the large rocks!<\/p>\n Mount Audubon Activation – Radio Gear in the Rocks<\/p><\/div>\n Mount Audubon stands prominently east of the Continental Divide; the summit is thousands of feet above the lower mountains and plains below. Audubon has a wide-open view of the populated areas to the east; it\u2019s surely an excellent VHF\/UHF site. Other high mountains are north, west, and south of Audubon, but they\u2019re not high enough to adversely affect propagation of HF signals. This is an excellent HF site; the noise level is low, because little development is near the peak. On a day when many people are on the summit, it\u2019s probably a good idea to set up HF gear out of the way, slightly down from the popular top.<\/p>\n Despite the incredible wind, I had a fine SOTA activation on Audubon, with 31 contacts on 10-14-18-21 MHz CW. The session lasted about 70 minutes, and I was delighted at my results!<\/p>\n After I took down the pole and put away my gear, I climbed up on top to take some pictures; it was difficult to stand on the west side of the summit, where the wind was strongest. A few other people came and went, but not many stayed more than a few minutes!<\/p>\n Mount Audubon Summit Wind Shelter<\/p><\/div>\n Dry windy weather is generally safer than storms and lightning. Mount Audubon is one of the highest mountains in its area, so it often has cumulus clouds and dangerous lightning. It should be avoided if storms are in the forecast, or if dark-bottomed clouds are forming in the area. An early start is essential to minimize the risk of bad weather in spring and summer.<\/p>\n Mount Audubon is a SOTA Classic:<\/p>\n \u2022 Spectacular wilderness location Mount Audubon View North to Longs Peak<\/p><\/div>\n There are numerous other high SOTA peaks within sight of Mount Audubon. However, most of these summits require significant hikes, comparable to the trip up Audubon. There are few possibilities for a reasonable dual activation, except for a few lower mountains located near roads lower down. These lower possibilities include:<\/p>\n W0C\/FR-061 Taylor Mountain 2779m \/ 9134ft 4 points Camping offers a way to activate multiple high summits in the area. Numerous forest campgrounds and campsites are within a few miles of Mount Audubon; many of these campgrounds are popular, so reservations may be required. Roosevelt National Forest has a few places where dispersed camping is allowed. Backpack camping in the Indian Peaks Wilderness is a possibility, but a permit is required, and special rules apply.<\/p>\n Mount Audubon is a Classic SOTA Peak \u2013 a real alpine jewel on the right day!<\/p>\n 73<\/p>\n George Carey Fuller Mount Audubon – Upper Coney Lake<\/p><\/div>\n Mount Audubon – Alpine Spring Beauty<\/p><\/div>\n \n W0C\/FR-013 Mount Audubon 4030 m \/ 13223 ft July 12, 2015 Sep 1, 2016 By KX0R Mount Audubon is a popular alpine summit in the Indian Peaks Wilderness west of Boulder, Colorado. Key points: \u2022 Brainard Lake Recreation Area \u2022 … Continue reading
\n\u2022 Roosevelt National Forest<\/a>
\n\u2022 Fun trail all the way to the top
\n\u2022 Spectacular views
\n\u2022 Fine radio site
\n\u2022 Busy trailhead
\n\u2022 ~ 4 miles one-way
\n\u2022 ~ 2800 vertical feet
\n\u2022 SOTA Classic!<\/p>\n
\n\u2022 Turn north on Highway 72, the Peak-to-Peak Highway.
\n\u2022 Drive to the turn-off to Ward, but don\u2019t turn yet.
\n\u2022 Continue on Highway 72 about 100 yards – turn west on the marked paved road FR-112 to the Indian Peaks Wilderness.
\n\u2022 Continue about 4 miles to the Brainard Lake Recreation Area.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/IMG_2675-2.jpg\")
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\n\u2022 The route leads north through the forest and up to timberline southeast of the summit on a good trail
\n\u2022 The trail continues north through an open alpine area to a split \u2013 the left (west) fork leads to the peak.
\n\u2022 The route ascends across the open tundra, eventually reaching a broad saddle northeast of the peak.
\n\u2022 The last half-mile is up through large rocks, where multiple paths climb to the large summit.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/IMG_2661-2.jpg\")
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\n\u2022 Beautiful alpine hike up an accessible trail
\n\u2022 Significant vertical gain
\n\u2022 Wonderful setting with high peaks all around
\n\u2022 Great HF\/VHF\/UHF radio site<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/IMG_2626-2.jpg\")
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\nW0C\/FR-174 Bald Mountain 2783m \/ 9147ft 4 points<\/p>\n
\nKX0R<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/IMG_2617-2.jpg\")
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\n![\"ATTENTION\"](\"https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/d\/dd\/Achtung.svg\/877px-Achtung.svg.png\")
\n\n!! WARNING !! There are old<\/b> mountaineers, and \nbold<\/b> mountaineers... there are no old-bold mountaineers. \nHiking and mountain climbing are potentially hazardous activities particularly in Colorado with its extreme elevations. I am not accepting responsibility for any death or injury resulting from activations based on my trip reports. Proper training, experience, and personal capability assessment is required - enjoy!\n<\/p>\n\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"