Half peak - 13841' - ne ridge class 3
july 2020
Took the 4th of July weekend to head out to Lake City to hike a few remaining centennials I had kicking around. I wanted to stay in Denver for my roommates 4th of July potluck though, so I didn't leave until the morning of the 5th. I arrived at the Cataract Gulch Trailhead at 2pm and quickly started hiking up the trail. There were a sweies of nice switchbacks to start, and I was quickly at treeline, at which point a small shower made everything a bit damp. I sat down under some willows for a few minutes to wait it out, then continued up the trail. I decided since it was later in the afternoon, it was best to stay lower in the Cataract Basin and off the high summit plateau as much as possible, so instead of continuing all the way to Cataract Lake and going around onto the broad south slopes, I cut sharply west about a quarter mile before the lake and hiked cross country towards the steeper east face of Half Peak.
The sun came out as I rounded a small tarn at 12120 feet. The wildflowers and tundra in this basin were spectacular! Another brief shower came through just as I started ascending in a NW direction to a small saddle at 12970 feet at the base of the NE ridge. I waited a few hundred feet below this saddle in the last grove of bushes until the clouds somewhat cleared, then made a dash for it straight up the ridge. Most of the ridge was class 2 steep tundra walking, but when I reached 13650 feet there was a small tower to traverse around on the left, then a tiny notch. I then scrambled up a class 4 step just above this notch for 60 feet or so until easier low angle slopes above brought me onto the summit plateau. It was here I got my first good look to the west, and it was very dark! Rain and virga was falling on the Handies group. I raced across the summit plateau to the highest point and was suprised to find a summit register. I signed my name and took just a few minutes to admire the views. Amazingly there was sun shining on the entire Grenadier Range! I then quickly retreated, making an easier class 3 descent further to skiers right rather than downclimbing the steeper class 4 I ascended coming up. It's pretty nerveracking to be sneaking in Colorado peaks between small breaks in thunderstorms.
I was back down to the trailhead around 7pm for a quick five hour jaunt for Half Peak. I drove into Lake City to grab dinner, however I spent too much time enjoying the late evening lighting, taking too many photos and driving too slow that I didn't get back into town until just after 9pm...when almost everything closed. Only one place was still serving food thankfully and I had a sweet burger for dinner. I then drove back up the road towards San Cristobal Lake and found a pull-out to crash in the car for the night.
The sun came out as I rounded a small tarn at 12120 feet. The wildflowers and tundra in this basin were spectacular! Another brief shower came through just as I started ascending in a NW direction to a small saddle at 12970 feet at the base of the NE ridge. I waited a few hundred feet below this saddle in the last grove of bushes until the clouds somewhat cleared, then made a dash for it straight up the ridge. Most of the ridge was class 2 steep tundra walking, but when I reached 13650 feet there was a small tower to traverse around on the left, then a tiny notch. I then scrambled up a class 4 step just above this notch for 60 feet or so until easier low angle slopes above brought me onto the summit plateau. It was here I got my first good look to the west, and it was very dark! Rain and virga was falling on the Handies group. I raced across the summit plateau to the highest point and was suprised to find a summit register. I signed my name and took just a few minutes to admire the views. Amazingly there was sun shining on the entire Grenadier Range! I then quickly retreated, making an easier class 3 descent further to skiers right rather than downclimbing the steeper class 4 I ascended coming up. It's pretty nerveracking to be sneaking in Colorado peaks between small breaks in thunderstorms.
I was back down to the trailhead around 7pm for a quick five hour jaunt for Half Peak. I drove into Lake City to grab dinner, however I spent too much time enjoying the late evening lighting, taking too many photos and driving too slow that I didn't get back into town until just after 9pm...when almost everything closed. Only one place was still serving food thankfully and I had a sweet burger for dinner. I then drove back up the road towards San Cristobal Lake and found a pull-out to crash in the car for the night.
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