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Post by cweston on Mar 21, 2024 14:07:44 GMT -8
Looks like I have an opportunity for a short trip (3-4 days?) around June 18 or so: I'll be spending a few days in the Buena Vista area, and want to take advantage of having spent a few days at elevation by going on a hike before going home.
I'm looking at some of the trails in the northern part of the Sangre Range (I've hiked many of the trails in the climax portion of the range, between the dunes and Hermit Pass, but not much of the northern part.) Also, this past summer, I hiked up the N. Crestone trail around this timeframe--the snow was fine, but the aggressive marmots ran me out of the area.
Anyone have any favorites in the northern Sangre area, or that general vicinity of Co? Anything in the Collegiates that has a decent chance of being hikable that early?
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Post by absarokanaut on Mar 23, 2024 12:19:17 GMT -8
Almost 4 months of inactivity down the drain!  The Sangres aren't the almost forgotten range we knew in our younger days but they're still magical. To may ignoramuses are feeding the whistle pigs now. I might actually be there in that time frame and would shuttle you if I can pull it all together. You've been there but Willow Lake at Ice Off one Memorial Day Weekend was magical two nights for me. I've also hiked the Colorado Trail/CDT south from Marshall Pass in that time frame. Some of the greatest elk numbers I've ever seen outside of Greater Yellowstone. Antora (NOT Antero) Meadows was mind blowing. Have you done Lynch and Salt Creeks up and around the Buffalo Peaks just East of Buny? A small area that packs an enormous punch. Spending the night at Lynch Creek and then over the top down to the Cabin near the pond would be two AWESOME nights IMO. I have seen just about every large mammal Colorado is known for there.Bet you could get a well timed ride out of Brush Park. Trail 618 and 617 could be used to circumnavigate the peaks, maybe from Rough and Tumbling. I always wanted to hike Cottonwood Peak from Valley View Hot Springs. Had a great time getting way up Hot Springs Canyon. Going over the top and down to Ballman Res. would be incredible. Not sure how the snow will play out this Spring but it sure looks like another early spring here right now. |
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Post by cweston on Mar 23, 2024 14:26:43 GMT -8
Thanks for the suggestions: Buffalo Peaks seems like a great possibility. I've not explored that area at all.
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Post by trinity on Mar 24, 2024 16:23:08 GMT -8
Longer haul from BV, but you could also head down to the South San Juan Wilderness. Some of the lower elevations (eg. along Elk Creek) might be doable in June. I love the Conejos River Valley.
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Post by cweston on Mar 24, 2024 16:30:21 GMT -8
The location is pretty negotiable, honestly. We’re doing a family get together (for my 60th birthday) at a place outside BV, but I’ll probably need to drive some folks to Denver for flights when we leave BV anyway, so I’m probably doing some driving either way. I just naturally think Sangres because that’s my usual early destination.
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Post by marmotstew on Mar 25, 2024 7:29:48 GMT -8
Well you should hike Birthday Peak in the collegiate peaks.
Buffalo peaks is a short drive from Buena Vista( is it Buena or Buoona?) Not the high country stuff you are used to but pretty cool place.
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Westy
Trail Wise!
Diagnosed w/Post-Trail Transition Syndrome
Posts: 1,960 
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Post by Westy on Mar 31, 2024 10:59:17 GMT -8
Here is my list of early season peaks nearby that were done in May and late June. - Mount Yale - June 5th -
- LaPlata Peak - June 18th
- Mount Elbert - May 27th
- Ouray Peak - June 22nd
- Mount Princeton - June 24th
I might add Mount Shavano, as the trail has southern exposure like Princeton and Yale. www.14ers.com/This is the best website for up-to-date info. I focus on 13er's. Look for southern and eastern exposure. Princeton and Shavano have excellent trails. I so much wanted to get a Colorado peak this spring. My choice would have been a loop - Great Couloir of Mt. Aetna, ridge walk to Mt. Taylor and descent via west ridge, a Class II spring alpine snow ascent. My training will need to be local. With a quick GCNP North Rim trip mid-May. My PCT start date is May 28th in Ashland, OR hiking SOBO. Good Luck and Happy Hiking! |
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Post by burntfoot on Mar 31, 2024 11:53:44 GMT -8
I did Shavano one year from the east side!
Hiked up to treeline and camped.
Climbed via the "Angel of Shavano" on rocks and talus just to the side.
Took longer than the standard route to ascend.
But, I was able to glissade down the left arm (facing down) and body of the angel all the way to camp.
Took less than an hour down.
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Post by burntfoot on Mar 31, 2024 11:57:31 GMT -8
Another fun glissade was Mt. Aetna (13,700 or 13,800) nearby.
5-6 hours up and 20 minutes down.
There are rocks near the top of the glissade, so I took it slow until I was clear of those.
Then, it was a straight shot with a moderately slow, continuous glissade.
Make sure you know what you're doing if you try this, though.
I also once did a Memorial Day glissade down Mt. Taylor, which was my access route to Aetna.
That one is a long S curve glissade on a less-steep slope.
When I did that one, I was actually aiming for Aetna, when my sunglasses broke on a bright day.
So, Taylor was my bailout route down.
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