crystal peak - 13852' - class 2
peak 10 - 13633' - class 2
september 2011

Father Dyer and Crystal Peak from Crystal Lake

This was another quick morning climb I did before class on a weekday where I drove out the night before and slept in the car. The next morning I started walking down the wrong road and was headed for the Mohawk Lakes basin which is the next valley south. So after almost a mile going the wrong way I realized I was on the wrong road and had to turn around. By this point I had wasted almost and hour and was eventually heading up the steeper 4 wheel drive road towards Crystal Lake. I passed treeline and was shocked to see everything still very green and lush despite being September. There was still snow patches around as well thanks to the very, very wet winter of 2010/2011. I managed to make great time to Crystal Lake however and continued up an old mining road towards Upper Crystal Lake but gained the east ridge before getting to the lake. The final ascent to the summit of Crystal Peak was very simple. Looking south to Pacific and Quandary Peaks was beautiful with a small dusting of snow and crystal clear, crisp air. This hike will be one I remember if nothing else for the clear fall air which I really love. After a nice break on the summit of Crystal Peak, I traversed over to Peak 10 just because it was sitting right there. The views of Crystal Peak itself were very nice from here. I descended straight down the loose rock back to the old road and back to Crystal Lake where I noticed some clouds building. Nothing bad though and I finished the hike by running back down the road and hurrying to get back to Golden by 1pm for class!

Father Dyer Peak from the old road

Crystal Peak from the lake

Crystal Peak map showing my route in red

View south of Quandary Peak and Pacific Peak from Crystal Peak

Upper Crystal Lake from Peak 10