{"id":6296,"date":"2017-01-21T23:08:59","date_gmt":"2017-01-22T06:08:59","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/?p=6296"},"modified":"2017-01-21T23:11:27","modified_gmt":"2017-01-22T06:11:27","slug":"w0cfr130-laramie-mountains-hp-3359-11020-ft","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/sota-trip-report\/w0cfr130-laramie-mountains-hp-3359-11020-ft\/","title":{"rendered":"W0C\/FR-130 (Laramie Mountains HP) &#8211; 3359 m \/ 11020 ft"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>W0C\/FR-130<br \/>\nLaramie Mountains HP<br \/>\n3359 m \/ 11020 ft<br \/>\nAug 29, 2016<\/p>\n<p>By KX0R<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/listsofjohn.com\/peak\/2391\">The Laramie Mountains High Point<\/a> is a relatively easy, fun <a href=\"http:\/\/www.sota.org.uk\/\">SOTA<\/a> peak in the Laramie Mountains of Northern Colorado. This route description is for hiking up the mountain (see notes about road access below).<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.fs.usda.gov\/detail\/arp\/about-forest\/?cid=fsm91_058262\">\u2022 Roosevelt National Forest<\/a><br \/>\n\u2022 Highest summit in the <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Laramie_Mountains\">Laramie Mountains<\/a><br \/>\n\u2022 Interesting, moderate hike<br \/>\n\u2022 Several interesting adjacent peaks<br \/>\n\u2022 Nice scenery \u2013 fine views of N CO and S WY<br \/>\n\u2022 Fine HF site<br \/>\n\u2022 2WD forest road close to the peak<br \/>\n\u2022 Almost a drive-up summit, if you choose<br \/>\n\u2022 New communications site on the peak<br \/>\n\u2022 Google Maps do not show the roads and trails in this area adequately<br \/>\n\u2022 ~ 8.0 miles round trip, via Killpecker Trail route detailed here<br \/>\n\u2022 ~ 9.0 miles round trip, including side trip to Middle Bald Mountain<br \/>\n\u2022 ~ 1850 vertical feet, via Killpecker Trail route detailed here<\/p>\n\n\t\t<style type=\"text\/css\">\n\t\t\t#gallery-1 {\n\t\t\t\tmargin: auto;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-1 .gallery-item {\n\t\t\t\tfloat: left;\n\t\t\t\tmargin-top: 10px;\n\t\t\t\ttext-align: center;\n\t\t\t\twidth: 100%;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-1 img {\n\t\t\t\tborder: 2px solid #cfcfcf;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-1 .gallery-caption {\n\t\t\t\tmargin-left: 0;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t\/* see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes\/media.php *\/\n\t\t<\/style>\n\t\t<div id='gallery-1' class='gallery galleryid-6296 gallery-columns-1 gallery-size-full'><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/sierra-exif-jpeg-1105\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"750\" src=\"https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/IMG_9186-2.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-6312\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/IMG_9186-2.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/IMG_9186-2-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/IMG_9186-2-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/IMG_9186-2-250x188.jpg 250w, https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/IMG_9186-2-400x300.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-6312'>\n\t\t\t\tLaramie Mountains HP from Middle Bald Mountain\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><br style=\"clear: both\" \/>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n<p>Driving access:<\/p>\n<p>\u2022 Drive to Fort Collins<br \/>\n\u2022 Continue northwest about 21 miles on Highway 287<br \/>\n\u2022 Turn west on Highway 74E at Livermore<br \/>\n\u2022 Drive to Red Feather Lakes<br \/>\n\u2022 Continue west about 1.5 miles<br \/>\n\u2022 Take CR 86 \u201cDeadman Road\u201d \u2013 do not follow CR 73C north<br \/>\n\u2022 This road is a pretty good 2WD dirt road, except for wash-boarding<br \/>\n\u2022 Follow CR 86 for about 7 miles to the <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/North_Fork_Cache_la_Poudre_River\">North Fork of the Cache la Poudre River<\/a><br \/>\n\u2022 Look for an obvious parking area and marked trailhead just east of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.fs.usda.gov\/recarea\/arp\/recarea\/?recid=36703\">North Fork Poudre Campground<\/a><br \/>\n\u2022 Park at the trailhead \u2013 parking is free<\/p>\n\n\t\t<style type=\"text\/css\">\n\t\t\t#gallery-2 {\n\t\t\t\tmargin: auto;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-2 .gallery-item {\n\t\t\t\tfloat: left;\n\t\t\t\tmargin-top: 10px;\n\t\t\t\ttext-align: center;\n\t\t\t\twidth: 100%;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-2 img {\n\t\t\t\tborder: 2px solid #cfcfcf;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-2 .gallery-caption {\n\t\t\t\tmargin-left: 0;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t\/* see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes\/media.php *\/\n\t\t<\/style>\n\t\t<div id='gallery-2' class='gallery galleryid-6296 gallery-columns-1 gallery-size-full'><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/sierra-exif-jpeg-1095\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"750\" src=\"https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/IMG_9205-2.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-2-6302\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/IMG_9205-2.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/IMG_9205-2-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/IMG_9205-2-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/IMG_9205-2-250x188.jpg 250w, https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/IMG_9205-2-400x300.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-2-6302'>\n\t\t\t\tLaramie Mountains HP Killpecker Creek Trailhead\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><br style=\"clear: both\" \/>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n<p>The Hike:<\/p>\n<p>\u2022 The route is via the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.fs.usda.gov\/recarea\/arp\/recreation\/recarea?recid=36791\">Killpecker Trail 956<\/a><br \/>\n\u2022 This trail leads up along Killpecker Creek and climbs all the way up to <a href=\"http:\/\/www.summitpost.org\/middle-bald-mountain\/203320\">Middle Bald Mountain<\/a><br \/>\n\u2022 Trail 956 is not shown on Google Maps<br \/>\n\u2022 The USFS map shows the campground, the trailhead, the forest roads, and Trail 956 \u2013 but not the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.sota.org.uk\/Summit\/W0C\/FR-130\">W0C\/FR-130 <\/a>summit.<br \/>\n\u2022 The trail provides a nice hike and is worth the effort<\/p>\n\n\t\t<style type=\"text\/css\">\n\t\t\t#gallery-3 {\n\t\t\t\tmargin: auto;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-3 .gallery-item {\n\t\t\t\tfloat: left;\n\t\t\t\tmargin-top: 10px;\n\t\t\t\ttext-align: center;\n\t\t\t\twidth: 50%;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-3 img {\n\t\t\t\tborder: 2px solid #cfcfcf;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-3 .gallery-caption {\n\t\t\t\tmargin-left: 0;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t\/* see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes\/media.php *\/\n\t\t<\/style>\n\t\t<div id='gallery-3' class='gallery galleryid-6296 gallery-columns-2 gallery-size-medium'><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/sierra-exif-jpeg-1097\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/IMG_9160-2-225x300.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-3-6304\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/IMG_9160-2-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/IMG_9160-2-250x333.jpg 250w, https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/IMG_9160-2.jpg 750w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 225px) 100vw, 225px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-3-6304'>\n\t\t\t\tLaramie Mountains HP Killpecker Trail\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/sierra-exif-jpeg-1096\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" src=\"https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/IMG_9156-2-300x225.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-3-6303\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/IMG_9156-2-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/IMG_9156-2-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/IMG_9156-2-250x188.jpg 250w, https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/IMG_9156-2-400x300.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/IMG_9156-2.jpg 1000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-3-6303'>\n\t\t\t\tLaramie Mountains HP Killpecker Creek\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><br style=\"clear: both\" \/>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n<p>\u2022 Follow the maintained Killpecker Trail up south, along the beautiful creek coming down the north side of the mountain<br \/>\n\u2022 After about 2 miles the trail leaves the creek and climbs through open forest<br \/>\n\u2022 The trail crosses Forest Road FR-300 three times<\/p>\n\n\t\t<style type=\"text\/css\">\n\t\t\t#gallery-4 {\n\t\t\t\tmargin: auto;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-4 .gallery-item {\n\t\t\t\tfloat: left;\n\t\t\t\tmargin-top: 10px;\n\t\t\t\ttext-align: center;\n\t\t\t\twidth: 50%;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-4 img {\n\t\t\t\tborder: 2px solid #cfcfcf;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-4 .gallery-caption {\n\t\t\t\tmargin-left: 0;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t\/* see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes\/media.php *\/\n\t\t<\/style>\n\t\t<div id='gallery-4' class='gallery galleryid-6296 gallery-columns-2 gallery-size-medium'><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/sierra-exif-jpeg-1094\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"224\" src=\"https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/IMG_9199-2-300x224.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-4-6301\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/IMG_9199-2-300x224.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/IMG_9199-2-768x574.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/IMG_9199-2-250x187.jpg 250w, https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/IMG_9199-2-401x300.jpg 401w, https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/IMG_9199-2.jpg 1000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-4-6301'>\n\t\t\t\tLaramie Mountains HP Killpecker Trail Crossing\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/sierra-exif-jpeg-1106\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/IMG_9194-2-225x300.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-4-6313\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/IMG_9194-2-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/IMG_9194-2-250x333.jpg 250w, https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/IMG_9194-2.jpg 750w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 225px) 100vw, 225px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-4-6313'>\n\t\t\t\tLaramie Mountains HP Killpecker Trail near the Top\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><br style=\"clear: both\" \/>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n<p>\u2022 After the third road-crossing, the trail ascends straight south up a moderately steep hill to about 10,960 feet elevation<br \/>\n\u2022 At the top of this hill, the trail curves slightly eastward<br \/>\n\u2022 Leave the trail near the eastward bend, and hike approximately west to the SOTA peak.<br \/>\n\u2022 The peak stands in the forest about 700 feet west of the bend in the trail.<br \/>\n\u2022 The actual summit isn\u2019t visible from Trail 956<br \/>\n\u2022 The point where you leave the main trail isn\u2019t marked.<br \/>\n\u2022 GPS is helpful navigation at this point<br \/>\n\u2022 The correct off-trail route runs west, slightly downhill along a gentle forested ridge to a saddle<br \/>\n\u2022 Then follow the ridge southwest up to the High Point.<br \/>\n\u2022 There are hints of an old trail along the ridge.<br \/>\n\u2022 There\u2019s a little cairn and a register in a jar at the summit.<\/p>\n\n\t\t<style type=\"text\/css\">\n\t\t\t#gallery-5 {\n\t\t\t\tmargin: auto;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-5 .gallery-item {\n\t\t\t\tfloat: left;\n\t\t\t\tmargin-top: 10px;\n\t\t\t\ttext-align: center;\n\t\t\t\twidth: 50%;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-5 img {\n\t\t\t\tborder: 2px solid #cfcfcf;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-5 .gallery-caption {\n\t\t\t\tmargin-left: 0;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t\/* see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes\/media.php *\/\n\t\t<\/style>\n\t\t<div id='gallery-5' class='gallery galleryid-6296 gallery-columns-2 gallery-size-medium'><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/sierra-exif-jpeg-1101\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" src=\"https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/IMG_9173-2-300x225.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-5-6308\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/IMG_9173-2-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/IMG_9173-2-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/IMG_9173-2-250x188.jpg 250w, https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/IMG_9173-2-400x300.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/IMG_9173-2.jpg 1000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-5-6308'>\n\t\t\t\tLaramie Mountains HP Summit Cairn and Register\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/sierra-exif-jpeg-1099\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/IMG_9162-2-225x300.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-5-6306\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/IMG_9162-2-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/IMG_9162-2-250x333.jpg 250w, https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/IMG_9162-2.jpg 750w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 225px) 100vw, 225px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-5-6306'>\n\t\t\t\tLaramie Mountains HP Communications Facility\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><br style=\"clear: both\" \/>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n<p>\u2022 You may not see the radio tower until you reach the peak<br \/>\n\u2022 The correct <a href=\"http:\/\/www.sota.org.uk\/\">SOTA <\/a>peak <a href=\"http:\/\/www.sota.org.uk\/Summit\/W0C\/FR-130\">W0C\/FR-130<\/a> is the highest summit among several high, widely-separated sub-peaks, several of which are near or above 11,000 feet, all part of a high massif of at least two square miles!<br \/>\n\u2022 Be sure you climb the correct summit! See details below:<\/p>\n<p>Details:<\/p>\n<p>The last part of the hike is an interesting navigation exercise. You need a topo map of the area, and\/or a GPS unit with a waypoint showing the location of <a href=\"http:\/\/www.sota.org.uk\/Summit\/W0C\/FR-130\">W0C\/FR-130<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>There are possible points of confusion:<\/p>\n<p>1) Trail 956 ascends to about 10,960 feet at the top of the hill where it curves east. It would be easy to assume that you\u2019re on the Peak.<br \/>\n2) The actual summit is almost hidden from view from Trail 956<br \/>\n3) Past the 10,960 foot hill, Trail 956 descends south and along the west side of impressive<a href=\"http:\/\/www.summitpost.org\/middle-bald-mountain\/203320\"> Middle Bald Mountai<\/a>n, which is 11,002 feet high and really looks like a SOTA peak!<\/p>\n\n\t\t<style type=\"text\/css\">\n\t\t\t#gallery-6 {\n\t\t\t\tmargin: auto;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-6 .gallery-item {\n\t\t\t\tfloat: left;\n\t\t\t\tmargin-top: 10px;\n\t\t\t\ttext-align: center;\n\t\t\t\twidth: 100%;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-6 img {\n\t\t\t\tborder: 2px solid #cfcfcf;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-6 .gallery-caption {\n\t\t\t\tmargin-left: 0;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t\/* see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes\/media.php *\/\n\t\t<\/style>\n\t\t<div id='gallery-6' class='gallery galleryid-6296 gallery-columns-1 gallery-size-full'><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/sierra-exif-jpeg-1103\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"750\" src=\"https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/IMG_9178-2.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-6-6310\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/IMG_9178-2.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/IMG_9178-2-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/IMG_9178-2-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/IMG_9178-2-250x188.jpg 250w, https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/IMG_9178-2-400x300.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-6-6310'>\n\t\t\t\tLaramie Mountains HP &#8211; Middle Bald Mountain from Trail 956\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><br style=\"clear: both\" \/>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n<p>4) <a href=\"http:\/\/www.summitpost.org\/north-bald-mountain\/302863\">North Bald Mountain<\/a> stands out to the northeast at 10,982 feet, and is just as impressive!<br \/>\n5) <a href=\"http:\/\/www.summitpost.org\/south-bald-mountain\/205881\">South Bald Mountain<\/a> stands out to the southeast at 11,003 feet, along with its sister peak at 10,884!<br \/>\n6) There are other rocky bumps up there that could be taken to be the summit, but they\u2019re not.<br \/>\n7) The location of the trail near the High Point is incorrectly shown on the USGS 7-1\/2 minute quadrangle \u201cDeadman, CO\u201d. The trail is farther east.<\/p>\n<p>The bad news is that the saddle northwest of Middle Bald Mountain is much too deep for that summit to be in the SOTA Activation Zone! This also applies to North Bald Mountain and South Bald Mountain.<\/p>\n<p>The good news is that the saddle immediately east of High Point W0C\/FR-130 is just within the SOTA Activation Zone. This means that the Activation Zone includes that saddle, as well as some of the broad hill at about 10,960 feet to the east. Also included is the rocky point 400 feet south of the High Point; this sub-peak&#8217;s elevation is within a few vertical feet of the actual summit.<\/p>\n<p>If you hike to the High Point, several different places are available for setting up radio gear in the large activation zone. These spots include the area near the radio tower, the actual summit just to the northeast, the scenic rocky point 400 feet to the south, or a place some distance away. I did my activation along the ridge about 200 feet east of the tower. I found a sunny, sheltered clearing with good trees for my pole and wire. I couldn\u2019t see the tower, and I felt like I was deep in the wilderness.<\/p>\n\n\t\t<style type=\"text\/css\">\n\t\t\t#gallery-7 {\n\t\t\t\tmargin: auto;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-7 .gallery-item {\n\t\t\t\tfloat: left;\n\t\t\t\tmargin-top: 10px;\n\t\t\t\ttext-align: center;\n\t\t\t\twidth: 100%;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-7 img {\n\t\t\t\tborder: 2px solid #cfcfcf;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-7 .gallery-caption {\n\t\t\t\tmargin-left: 0;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t\/* see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes\/media.php *\/\n\t\t<\/style>\n\t\t<div id='gallery-7' class='gallery galleryid-6296 gallery-columns-1 gallery-size-full'><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/sierra-exif-jpeg-1102\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"750\" src=\"https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/IMG_9175-2.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-7-6309\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/IMG_9175-2.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/IMG_9175-2-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/IMG_9175-2-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/IMG_9175-2-250x188.jpg 250w, https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/IMG_9175-2-400x300.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-7-6309'>\n\t\t\t\tLaramie Mountains HP SOTA Activation East of Summit\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><br style=\"clear: both\" \/>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n<p>I was concerned that there might be some RF noise from the comm site, but the RF noise level was very low. W0C\/FR-130 is an excellent HF site, with wide-open coverage in all directions. It\u2019s surely a good VHF\/UHF site as well, judging from the numerous antennas on the tower. Coverage of northeast Colorado, southeast Wyoming, and parts of the eastern Plains is probably good.<\/p>\n<p>While it\u2019s a shock to see a new communications facility on a peak, it\u2019s certainly an ideal site. The development was done carefully to minimize environmental issues. The summit cairn was not disturbed. The scenic crags just south of the tower were not altered at all \u2013 I went over there to look at the impressive view off the south side of the peak \u2013 this is recommended!<\/p>\n<p>The communications facility was built by <a href=\"http:\/\/www.larimer.org\/baldmountain\/\">Larimer County<\/a>, after years of planning and negotiation. When I was there, the site wasn\u2019t posted or fenced off. It appears to be a very professional facility. VHF, UHF, and microwave antennas are on the tower. It looked new when I was there, and I\u2019m not sure if it was operational.<\/p>\n<p>After activating the High Point, I followed Trail 956 south to Middle Bald Mountain, and enjoyed the short climb up its high, open slopes. This rocky, cliffy summit is far more impressive than the High Point!<\/p>\n\n\t\t<style type=\"text\/css\">\n\t\t\t#gallery-8 {\n\t\t\t\tmargin: auto;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-8 .gallery-item {\n\t\t\t\tfloat: left;\n\t\t\t\tmargin-top: 10px;\n\t\t\t\ttext-align: center;\n\t\t\t\twidth: 100%;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-8 img {\n\t\t\t\tborder: 2px solid #cfcfcf;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-8 .gallery-caption {\n\t\t\t\tmargin-left: 0;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t\/* see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes\/media.php *\/\n\t\t<\/style>\n\t\t<div id='gallery-8' class='gallery galleryid-6296 gallery-columns-1 gallery-size-full'><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/sierra-exif-jpeg-1100\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"750\" src=\"https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/IMG_9170-2.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-8-6307\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/IMG_9170-2.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/IMG_9170-2-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/IMG_9170-2-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/IMG_9170-2-250x188.jpg 250w, https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/IMG_9170-2-400x300.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-8-6307'>\n\t\t\t\tLaramie Mountains HP View of Middle and South Bald Mountains\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><br style=\"clear: both\" \/>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n<p>The peak falls away to the east, with vast views in all directions, including far out across the Great Plains, up into Wyoming, and west to the Medicine Bow Range. It\u2019s also a good place to see the other craggy peaks in the massif. It\u2019s a nice destination for the pleasant hike up Killpecker Creek!<\/p>\n\n\t\t<style type=\"text\/css\">\n\t\t\t#gallery-9 {\n\t\t\t\tmargin: auto;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-9 .gallery-item {\n\t\t\t\tfloat: left;\n\t\t\t\tmargin-top: 10px;\n\t\t\t\ttext-align: center;\n\t\t\t\twidth: 100%;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-9 img {\n\t\t\t\tborder: 2px solid #cfcfcf;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-9 .gallery-caption {\n\t\t\t\tmargin-left: 0;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t\/* see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes\/media.php *\/\n\t\t<\/style>\n\t\t<div id='gallery-9' class='gallery galleryid-6296 gallery-columns-1 gallery-size-full'><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/sierra-exif-jpeg-1104\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"750\" src=\"https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/IMG_9180-2.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-9-6311\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/IMG_9180-2.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/IMG_9180-2-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/IMG_9180-2-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/IMG_9180-2-250x188.jpg 250w, https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/IMG_9180-2-400x300.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-9-6311'>\n\t\t\t\tLaramie Mountains HP Side-Trip &#8211; Middle Bald Mountain\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><br style=\"clear: both\" \/>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n<p>If the access road isn\u2019t gated or posted, the High Point might be a drive-up summit. FR-300\/517 is a good-quality 2WD dirt\/gravel road. It leads up from Deadman Road and runs almost to the top of the massif. Google maps show this road OK, but not the new access road to the comm site; see the satellite image. Also see the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.zyster.net\/maps\/arnfs\/north\/index.html\">Roosevelt National Forest map<\/a> for details on FR-300 and FR-517.<\/p>\n<p>The Google satellite image shows most of the details of the peak, the radio site, and the hiking route to it. You can also see the access road, which runs up the west side of the mountain from FR-300\/517 below. I have no information on vehicle access, or future plans for the site.<\/p>\n<p>Even if the comm site is eventually posted or fenced, there should be no problem operating within the SOTA Activation Zone, in the National Forest east of the peak, or near the top of the 10,960-foot hill where the Trail 956 crosses east of the High Point.<\/p>\n<p>73<\/p>\n<p>George<br \/>\nKX0R<\/p>\n\n\t\t<style type=\"text\/css\">\n\t\t\t#gallery-10 {\n\t\t\t\tmargin: auto;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-10 .gallery-item {\n\t\t\t\tfloat: left;\n\t\t\t\tmargin-top: 10px;\n\t\t\t\ttext-align: center;\n\t\t\t\twidth: 100%;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-10 img {\n\t\t\t\tborder: 2px solid #cfcfcf;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-10 .gallery-caption {\n\t\t\t\tmargin-left: 0;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t\/* see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes\/media.php *\/\n\t\t<\/style>\n\t\t<div id='gallery-10' class='gallery galleryid-6296 gallery-columns-1 gallery-size-full'><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/sierra-exif-jpeg-1093\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"750\" src=\"https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/IMG_9198-2.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-10-6300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/IMG_9198-2.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/IMG_9198-2-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/IMG_9198-2-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/IMG_9198-2-250x188.jpg 250w, https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/IMG_9198-2-400x300.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-10-6300'>\n\t\t\t\tLaramie Mountains HP &#8211; Blue Gentians\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><br style=\"clear: both\" \/>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<HR>\n<p style=\"font-size:10px\">\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/d\/dd\/Achtung.svg\/877px-Achtung.svg.png\" alt=\"ATTENTION\" style=\"float:left\" height=\"41\" width=\"41\"> \n\n!! WARNING !! There are <b>old<\/b> mountaineers, and \n<b>bold<\/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":"<p>W0C\/FR-130 Laramie Mountains HP 3359 m \/ 11020 ft Aug 29, 2016 By KX0R The Laramie Mountains High Point is a relatively easy, fun SOTA peak in the Laramie Mountains of Northern Colorado. This route description is for hiking up &hellip; <a class=\"more-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/sota-trip-report\/w0cfr130-laramie-mountains-hp-3359-11020-ft\/\">Continue reading <span class=\"meta-nav\">&rarr;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3,16],"tags":[25,17,520,522,153,516,515,517,8,519,521,181,9,518,24,514],"class_list":["post-6296","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-sota-trip-report","category-wo","tag-activation","tag-amateur-radio","tag-deadman-road","tag-kilpecker-trail","tag-kx0r","tag-laramie-mountains-high-point","tag-laramie-mountains-hp","tag-middle-bald-mountain","tag-mountain-topping","tag-north-bald-mountain","tag-redfeather-lakes","tag-route-description","tag-sota","tag-south-bald-mountain","tag-summits-on-the-air","tag-w0cfr-130"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6296","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6296"}],"version-history":[{"count":14,"href":"https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6296\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6324,"href":"https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6296\/revisions\/6324"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6296"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6296"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6296"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}