Upon returning to Boulder, Colorado, this August, I instantly longed for the uncovered ridges and thrilling scrambling attribute of the granite peaks of my house within the jap Sierra Nevada. I set out on a mission to seek out one of the best scrambles that Colorado presents to stretch my alpine scrambling season into September and bag some Colorado summits. I searched excessive and low, digging deep by web beta, guidebooks, and CalTopo maps seeking uncovered ridges, enjoyable scrambling routes, and delightful summits. I spent hours on Mountain Undertaking, asking associates for route recommendation, and downloading Gaia maps. I attempted to go to as many ranges in Colorado as potential to discover as many areas of the state as potential. In the end, I managed to scramble within the Sangre de Cristo, the Gore, the Sawatch, the Tenmile, Rocky Mountain Nationwide Park, the Indian Peaks, and extra.
I capped off the month of September with eighteen summits and a complete lot of ideas about one of the best Colorado scrambling routes.
I relied closely on Dave Cooper’s ebook, Colorado Scrambles: Climbs Past the Crushed Path, to pick my scrambles and plan my routes. I can not advocate this ebook extra extremely to anybody hoping to strive mountain climbing and scrambling some extra obscure Colorado peaks. Whereas a few of the routes listed on this ebook are basic fourteener scrambles, nearly all of routes are off the crushed path, and completely fantastic. The guidebook presents many glorious newbie scrambles throughout the state, in addition to a number of superior routes.
I used a mixture of CalTopo and Gaia GPS to map out my routes. CalTopo is my go-to on-line mapping software program. It’s free to make use of, with a paid choice for these on the lookout for extra options. It has many mountaineering routes already on it, and consists of layers akin to slope-angle shading to visualise how steep completely different mountain slopes are. Gaia GPS can be an superior free or paid utility, with many crowd-sourced routes out there. I used to be capable of finding a few of the scrambling routes listed beneath with a fast search on Gaia, and was then capable of observe alongside on a GPS monitor with my smartphone. Gaia additionally has many useful layers, akin to a cellphone protection layer for every mobile service. I extremely advocate downloading or drawing out a route monitor to observe in your telephone or GPS gadget earlier than making an attempt any of those scrambles.
I present a common route description, my opinions and expertise on the route, and assets to plan your journey, however you need to definitely do extra analysis earlier than going into the mountains to strive any of those scrambles.
It must be famous that scrambling is harmful, and 4th and Fifth class routes ought to solely be tried by skilled scramblers with good route-finding and climbing abilities. Third class routes are typically a superb place to start, however can nonetheless embody troublesome route discovering and climbing. Right here is an overview of how problem scores for scrambling routes work from 14ers.com. Moreover, here’s a extra in-depth description of what problem scores for scrambling routes imply, from Sierra Buying and selling Publish.
All of those scrambles have parts of off-trail journey and uncovered terrain on alpine rock – typically of variable high quality. All holds must be examined by the person, and technical climbing gear must be employed if the person feels that rock safety is important for his or her secure completion of the route. Moreover, helmets must be worn always on these scrambles: rockfall is a serious hazard when scrambling in mountains.
Listed here are my favourite scrambles in Colorado:
1. Greatest Sidewalk within the Sky: The Grand Traverse between North and West Traverse Peaks (4th class)
The Gore Vary is a magical vary that runs between Silverthorne and Vail. It’s largely uncrowded, expansive, and filled with sharp, stunning peaks. It’s usually ignored as a result of there are not any fourteeners within the vary – however this could not deter you from visiting this beautiful a part of Colorado. The Grand Traverse is an sometimes scrambled route, but it surely was one in all my absolute favorites from this Fall! I might extremely advocate utilizing Cooper’s ebook for this one (and for different Gore Vary scramble concepts!), as a result of the net beta is sort of restricted on this one. The route travels cross nation from the tip of the Bighorn path, ascending North Traverse Peak, traversing a fantastic ridgeline with a number of sections of “sidewalk within the sky” options, after which tagging West Traverse Peak. There are a couple of considerably tough 4th class downclimbs on this route, so this one is beneficial just for skilled scramblers with good route-finding abilities. After doing this route, I’m dreaming about returning to the Gore for extra working, mountain climbing, and scrambling!
For extra info and journey stories:
Exploring the Rockies: Grand Traverse Journey Report
Summit Publish: Grand Traverse Journey Report
2. Greatest Starting Scrambling Route: Kelso Ridge on Torreys Peak (Third class)
The Kelso Ridge on Torreys Peak is a wonderful option to keep away from the crowds on one in all Colorado’s busiest Entrance Vary fourteeners. The route is class 3, making it a superb introduction to scrambling within the alpine – although it ought to nonetheless be taken severely, with rockfall hazard at all times a threat within the mountains. The Kelso Ridge is a basic ridge scramble with many choices to improve or downgrade the problem by staying true to the ridge or navigating round crux sections. There’s even a enjoyable, little knife-edge part (class 3) to make issues a bit extra thrilling! Social trails wind across the ridge, making navigation simpler than on lots of the routes listed beneath. When unsure, go up! Upon reaching the summit of Torreys Peak, I descended to the saddle, power-hiked up the path to Grays Peak, and ran again all the way down to my automotive. It’s at all times a superb day when you’ll be able to tag two fourteeners in a day!
For extra info and journey stories:
14ers.com: Kelso Ridge Beta
Miss Journey Pants: Kelso Ridge Journey Report
3. The Longest Ridge: Ellingwood Ridge on La Plata Peak (Third-4th class)
The Ellingwood Ridge on La Plata peak is an absolute Sawatch Vary basic. This ridge is loopy lengthy, with two miles of scrambling alongside the crest. The problem might be stored to Third class, although doing so requires very cautious route-finding. It’s simple to finish up in 4th-Fifth class terrain if staying true to the ridge on this route. After I did this one, I spent solely 50% of my time on the ridge correct, and infrequently traversed round troublesome sections. The rock high quality was not stellar, however many of the sections with less-than-ideal rock high quality had been comparatively simple. This route has splendid views, attention-grabbing scrambling, and a leg-burning talus climb to the summit of La Plata on the finish. I ran down a lot of the usual route La Plata path to return to my automotive.
For extra info and journey stories:
14ers.com: Ellingwood Ridge Beta
Mountain Undertaking: Ellingwood Ridge Beta
4. Greatest Newbie Fourteener Traverse: Sawtooth Ridge between Mount Bierstadt and Mount Evans (Third class)
I accomplished the Sawtooth Ridge final fall, and was shocked on the high quality of this Entrance Vary ridge. It’s an ideal introduction to alpine ridge traverses for many who are hoping to start out mountain climbing and scrambling connecting ridges within the mountains, however don’t know the place to start. At true Third class, this route has good publicity, and astonishing views. Whereas the ridge seems relatively inconceivable from the highest of Mount Bierstadt, it’s an achievable objective for a brand new scrambler. There are a number of use trails alongside this route, making navigation comparatively simple compared to many of those scrambles.
For extra info and journey stories:
14ers.com: Sawtooth Ridge Beta
The Digital Sherpa: Sawtooth Ridge Journey Report
5. Greatest Publicity: Little Bear to Blanca Traverse (with an non-obligatory journey to Ellingwood Level) (Fifth class)
It’s no secret that the Sangre de Cristo vary has one of the best scrambling in Colorado. Sharp, jagged peaks, splendidly strong rock, and a number of other fourteeners make it a worthy spot for any scrambler to discover. The Little Bear to Blanca Traverse is my absolute favourite in Colorado, but it surely must be taken very severely. Practically a mile of knife-edge ridge slightly below 14,000 toes, Fifth class strikes, and excessive publicity implies that this ridge is thrilling, however definitely must be reserved for under probably the most skilled scramblers. I discovered the rock to be very strong for an alpine scramble, and the ridge is just astonishing! I additionally tagged Ellingwood Level once I was on the market, requiring a couple of additional miles and a few Third class scrambling to the summit if you want to tag three fourteeners in a day. I accomplished this route as an in a single day journey, mountain climbing in and tenting at Lake Como.
For extra info and journey stories:
The Digital Sherpa: Little Bear to Blanca Journey Report
Mountain Undertaking: Little Bear to Blanca Beta
6. Greatest Proper-off-i70 Route: Tenmile Vary Traverse (4th class)
The Tenmile Vary spans Frisco to Breckenridge (and past!). It’s a wild, little vary that may be seen from the I-70 hall. There are numerous methods to do the Tenmile Vary traverse, relying in your capacity to automotive shuttle, and willingness to hike an extended mileage day. I did the Cooper model of the traverse, which is considerably abridged compared to the total traverse, however consists of all the scrambling sections alongside the route and doesn’t require a automotive shuttle. This model goes up the East Ridge of Tenmile Peak, alongside the ridge through Peaks 3 by 5, and drops down onto the Colorado Path to return to the automotive. You too can do all the peaks (Mount Royal to Peak 10) with a automotive shuttle between Frisco and Breckenridge. On this ridge scramble, I discovered the rock high quality to be mediocre at finest, however the views, publicity, and path to be glorious. It additionally will internet you extra peaks in a day than is feasible for many in different ranges.The crux part– “the Dragon” might be circumvented with cautious route discovering alongside the perimeters of the ridge. I went over it and located it very thrilling!
For extra info and journey stories:
Sky Blue Overland: Tenmile Traverse (Abridged Traverse) Journey Report SummitPost: Tenmile Vary (Full Traverse) Beta
SummitPost: Tenmile Vary (Full Traverse) Beta
7. A Entrance Vary Staple: South-North Arapaho Traverse (4th class)
The Arapaho Traverse is the basic traverse of the Indian Peaks Wilderness space, and simply accessible inside an hour and a half of Boulder. To be completely trustworthy, I didn’t get to do that traverse as a result of climate, however I did get to scope it out from the summit of South Arapaho throughout a sixty mile per hour windstorm, and it regarded superior. South Arapaho alone is a worthy class 2 hike, however doing the traverse to North Arapaho will certainly add some pleasure and enjoyable scrambling. The vast majority of the traverse is class 2-3, with a category 4 crux part so as to add a little bit little bit of spice to the journey.
For extra info and journey stories:
Summit Publish: Arapaho Peaks Traverse Beta
Sky Blue Overland: Arapaho Peaks Traverse Journey Report
8. Off the Crushed Path: North Ridge on Idiot’s Peak (Third class)
Deep within the Holy Cross Wilderness space lies Idiot’s Peak, an unassuming 12,953 foot tall mountain with actually glorious Third class scrambling on good rock and exhilarating publicity. This route is within the northern Sawatch, and it has a really completely different really feel than the excessive peaks of the southern part of this vary. Whereas the north ridge seems intimidating from afar, the route doesn’t exceed class 3, making it a superb route for a starting scrambler. I used to be shocked by how good the rock high quality was on this off-the-beaten-path peak. Route-finding is reasonable, with one part wherein finding a ledge is paramount to maintaining the route at third class. This peak is great for getting away from the crowds, and having fun with a less-visited area of the Colorado mountains.
For extra info and journey stories:
Summit Publish: Fools’s Peak North Ridge Beta
The Digital Sherpa: Fools’s Peak North Ridge Journey Report
9. Greatest Knife Edge: Northeast Ridge of Capitol Peak (4th class)
No listing of one of the best Colorado scrambles might actually be full with out the astounding Capitol Peak, jewel of the Elk Vary. This fourteener was not a part of my September peakfest, but it surely stays one in all my favorites in Colorado as a result of beautiful views, nice publicity alongside the notorious “knife-edge.” I accomplished this one as an in a single day backpacking journey, partly to spend extra time on this stunningly stunning space, however the peak might be carried out in a single very lengthy day. Whereas the knife edge may be very strong rock, a lot of the remainder of the route is sort of unfastened, and warning must be exercised whereas scrambling the looser sections. It is called one of the troublesome fourteeners in Colorado for good cause, however can definitely be achieved by an skilled scrambler. I discovered route discovering to be fairly simple on this peak, as it’s extremely trafficked with many social trails alongside the ridge.
For extra info and journey stories:
14ers.com: Capitol Peak Northeast Ridge Beta
Mountainous Phrases: Capitol Peak Journey Report
10.The Rocky Mountain Jewel: The Keyhole Route on Longs Peak (Third class)
The queen of Rocky Mountain Nationwide Park, Lengthy’s Peak rises excessive above the remainder of the Entrance Vary. The Keyhole route is the simplest route up Longs, but it surely presents a fantastic day of scrambling. Downsides: it does get extremely crowded, the rock is polished from high-use, and the rockfall hazard from events climbing above is excessive. The route itself, nevertheless, is well-defined with bulls-eyes painted on the rocks intermittently, and boasts glorious granite scrambling at 14,000 toes. I descended this route as part of a bigger scramble, the Glacier Gorge Traverse, which summits between seven and eleven peaks within the Glacier Gorge cirque of Rocky Mountain Nationwide Park, relying on how it’s accomplished. I might not advocate that one until you might be an endurance athlete and climber on the lookout for a serious long-distance problem. The Keyhole route, nevertheless, is a enjoyable journey day with unbelievable views, and must be on everybody’s Colorado scrambling listing.
For extra info and journey stories:
14ers.com: Keyhole Route Beta
Climbing Undertaking: Keyhole Route Beta
Completely satisfied scrambling!
