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Post by johntpenca on Sept 14, 2016 11:36:53 GMT -8
I think you may have been a bit hasty to take offense. I seem to have lost a previous quick quote somewhere. Hopefully bp2go can chase it down and delete it. Agree absorokanaut's post came out of the blue and is irrelevant to the OP and subsequent responses. Also agree with jazzmom's post.
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rebeccad
Trail Wise!
Writing like a maniac
Posts: 12,708
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Post by rebeccad on Sept 15, 2016 7:35:59 GMT -8
I seem to have lost a previous quick quote somewhere. Hopefully bp2go can chase it down and delete it. I don't see anything that needs removing, so maybe he did.
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Post by absarokanaut on Sept 16, 2016 4:53:25 GMT -8
Wah.
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Post by beemurph on Sept 17, 2016 6:51:49 GMT -8
absarokanaut: No issue here with hunters. In fact I've hunted many times myself through the years. As Rebecca correctly pointed out, I'm simply assessing potential risks when backpacking during hunting season. You took offense pretty quickly when none was intended. One might even say you have a hair trigger. Pun absolutely intended. Thanks again to all for the valuable input. I'm having a lot of fun researching and planning this particular trip. Might even post a trip report when I return. BeeMurph
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Hungry Jack
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Living and dying in 3/4 time...
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Post by Hungry Jack on Sept 19, 2016 6:52:47 GMT -8
My early October trip to Summit County a few years ago had us in 18" of snow at about 11,000 ft on a hike near Vail Pass. There is a good chance the Four Pass route will be snowed in.
Conditions can vary across the ranges. If the Sawatch/Elks get snowy, you might have luck in the Front Range in the Commanche Wilderness (mostly below 11,000 ft), or heading down to Lost Creek Wilderness (which looks awesome--hope to get there soon).
Another option might be the Spanish Peak Wilderness, which is only 180 miles from Denver (all interstate). Nearer is Greenhorn Mountain. Both are Front Range locations with lower elevations but high peaks (12k) that can give you warmer weather but the opportunity to go high if conditions are good. In the Four Pass Loop, you basically don't go below 10,000 ft once you leave the trailhead.
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Post by beemurph on Oct 11, 2016 6:24:34 GMT -8
Thought I'd provide a bit of an update as Fly Day approaches. We're scheduled to arrive in Denver this Saturday and I'm watching forecasts for several areas very closely. Maroon Bells is officially out. They don't have a ton of snow yet but the forecast isn't promising. With so many other great options in the region, no sense pushing our luck. This site has been extremely helpful. Nothing like eyes on location to get a real feel for the conditions. Still considering RMNP, Lost Creek Wilderness and Colorado National Monument/McInnis Canyon area. Got routes planned for all 3 and a growing collection of maps More later. BeeMurph
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Hungry Jack
Trail Wise!
Living and dying in 3/4 time...
Posts: 3,809
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Post by Hungry Jack on Oct 11, 2016 11:10:21 GMT -8
Related to the OP, there is a widespread search in the Bells for a NM climber who vanished in late September. Not clear if he was attempting Pyramid or the Maroons, but it's like he disappeared into thin air. Lots of people looking at satellite images plus some boots on the ground. Sad story, as the guy has a family.
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Post by absarokanaut on Oct 11, 2016 14:45:32 GMT -8
I am uncoditionaly apologetic about my tone on the hunting issue. Sorry folks.
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Post by johntpenca on Oct 11, 2016 15:12:32 GMT -8
I am uncoditionaly apologetic about my tone on the hunting issue. Sorry folks. No worries on my part; we all have our moments.
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Post by johntpenca on Oct 11, 2016 15:20:50 GMT -8
Thanks for that link. Beautiful! Have fun and be safe.
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Post by johntpenca on Oct 13, 2016 7:02:46 GMT -8
This site has been extremely helpful. Nothing like eyes on location to get a real feel for the conditions. You folks have got to check this out NOW! Bluebird day and beautiful view!
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Post by beemurph on Oct 13, 2016 7:30:11 GMT -8
AWWW! Your making me second guess my decision not to go there!
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Hungry Jack
Trail Wise!
Living and dying in 3/4 time...
Posts: 3,809
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Post by Hungry Jack on Oct 13, 2016 13:22:31 GMT -8
I vote Lost Creek!
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Post by beemurph on Nov 3, 2016 22:46:39 GMT -8
So...I thought I'd share how the trip actually unfolded. I'm not a serendipitous kinda guy but it actually paid off in this case The notes are raw (took them along the trip and then cut and pasted them here), so please forgive the lack of proper punctuation, sentence structure, blah, blah, blah. What we wound up doing: Saturday 10/15: arrived in Den in the evening, rented a 2016 Expedition for same price as a compact (some kind of managers special) and stayed at midtown Ramada. It was a dump. A/C was turned off for the season so room was sweltering Sunday: went to flagship REI in Denver for fuel and FDMs and found a Safeway on Federal Blvd for food. Drove to Buena Vista and stayed at the Best Western Vista Inn. Much nicer hotel than first night. Had dinner @ Eddyline Brewing which is an awesome little gem in Buena Vista Monday: up before dawn. Drove to Mt Elbert south ridge TH. This led up a forest service road that required 4WD and high clearance. Good thing we had the expedition. Climbed Mt Elbert. Approx 8 mile round trip. About 4500' of elevation gain. Took 4 1/2 hours to get up and about 2 hrs to get down. Shared the summit w/ a female hiker. We swapped picture taking duties. VERY windy and cold on top. Didn't stay long at all. No sign of a summit log. After returning from summit, went back through Buena Vista, stopped at City Market for a few more food items and 3 bundles of firewood. Then we headed up Mt Princeton Rd to stay at Bristlecone Chalet. The Expedition got a workout climbing the last ~5 miles which are extremely rugged and exposed. Fortunately, we didn't encounter any oncoming cars so didn't have to worry about passing. Once at the top, we had the cabin to ourselves. We did some cleaning up (leave it better than we found it) and settled in. Discovered (and subsequently remembered from my last visit here) that firewood is provided and stored under the porch so there was really no need for us to bring our own. We built a big fire, explored the cabin, watched a Pika that kept crawling around the stone walls and wood beams as he built his "haystack" for the winter. Tuesday: back down to Buena Vista, again no cars to pass on the Mt Princeton road. Went to The Trailhead so my son could purchase a sleeping mat and then went to the Lariat for lunch and a beer. Watched part of a UCL game as we decided our next move. Chose to drive up to RMNP. 3 1/2 hours later, we arrived and stayed in the Moraine Park campground. Watched the Elk herd and built a pine cone fire. Wednesday: breakfast at The Otherside restaurant while we waited for the visitor center to open. After breakfast, went to the back country office near Beaver Meadows Visitor Center to work out a backpacking loop. After settling on a loop, filling out forms and listening to a litany of rules and regulations, we left with permits in hand for two nights in the back country. Went back to moraine park campground to repack and regroup. Then drove to Bear Lake TH, parked and headed off to Mill Creek Basin campsite. Mostly cloudy, windy and some flurries. Took a side trail to loop around Bierstadt Lake on our way to campsite. First night was very cold and very windy. Long night in the tent. Stayed at Mill Creek Basin Campsite. Thursday: woke up to clear skies and brilliant sunshine. While eating breakfast, a pair of gray jays showed up and we fed them sunflower seeds right from our hands. My son especially enjoyed this. Packed up and hiked to Fern Lake campsite. Stopped @ The Pool along the way. A nice spot with a bridge running over the big Thompson river. The hike from the pool to Fern Lake was VERY difficult. Long, steady climb over rocky trail. Fern Lake campsite was above Fern Lake in a pine forest. Couldn't even see the lake from there. At the lake, there was a remote patrol cabin. Once again, we set up camp and headed into the tent as soon as it turned dark. We played a game of chess which my son won. Then I laid down while my son read and fixed a late supper. Slept pretty well that night with the aid of Tylenol PM. Friday: got up about 7. Took our time packing up and hiked the final 4 1/2 miles back to the truck arriving about noon. We drove back to Estes Park and got early check-in for a room @ the trail Ridge inn. Nice little place. Very clean. Owners were friendly. Good hot shower and decent beds. We cleaned up and went for a late lunch @ Estes Park Brewing. Good food. Good beer. Back to the room to relax for a few hours and do some RE-packing for the trip home. Went out to dinner about 7 @ Wapiti. After that, we returned to the room, talked awhile and then went to bed. Saturday: with a little time to kill after packing up and checking out, we drove back to Moraine Park campground to look for Andy's pocket knife. No luck. Then we drove up the trail Ridge road almost to the visitor center. The views were awesome but the temp was low thirties and the wind was howling. We turned around near the top and headed back down. We headed to the airport in Denver stopping to wash the rental and fill it with gas. GREAT TRIP
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Post by starwalker on Nov 4, 2016 9:55:49 GMT -8
Sounds like a fun trip.
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