Humboldt Peak Redux

Humboldt Peak via West Ridge (standard route)

Date: 6/21/2015

~12 miles RT, 4,200' of elevation gain

Humboldt Peak is one of my favorite "easy" 14er hikes, but it isn't that easy. You have to hike over 4 miles to reach the steep section that starts heading up to the summit. Having done this one before, I knew exactly how long it took me last time, and I hoped to beat that time by a couple minutes.

I did make a mistake this time. I didn't quite adapt my load to conditions. I had originally thought that it was going to be cold, so I had 2 jackets, gloves, hat, and pants in my backpack. I had packed 2.5 liters of water. It turns out that I didn't use any jackets or pants at all.

Anyway. It was HOT- one of the hottest 14ers I have done ever. I brought 2.5 liters and it simply was not enough. I ran out of water on the way down with about 3 miles to go.  Lesson learned? I wasn't paying full attention to the conditions and predicted weather, and the unusually hot weather really "bit" me.  Luckily Chris is a stud and he bailed me out with about 10 oz of water, which was plenty enough to keep me going. Anyways, pics...

Looking ahead up the trail.

Looking back down the 4x4 road

About 2 miles up the road you come to the start of the "trail" where it leaves the old 4x4 road.

Looking NW, that is broken hand pass in the middle, Crestone Needle to the right

This is the west face of Humboldt Peak

Snow is melting rapidly

Finally up to South Colony Lakes, here is a nice place to relax- for a couple seconds anyway.

And here we are at the upper lake, with Crestone Peak starting to show (R)

Getting higher up to the saddle, we have an excellent view of Crestone Peak on the R, Needle on the L.

From the saddle, we see Colony Baldy Peak

This ridge goes up 1,200' to the summit of Humboldt Peak

Getting higher up...

Chris is high up on the ridge above 14,000'

Right before Chris hits the summit

Summit!

Kit Carson and Challenger Point center left, Mt. Adams right.

Summit Pano with the Blanca group in the distance

Distant Right is the Blanca Group, distant left is the Spanish Peaks

Kit Carson Peak is to the left, Colony Baldy on the right.

A beautiful day in Colorado

This is a 4-shot pano I had to do extensive Photoshop on.. it was worth it.

Just another beautiful, HOT day in the mountains. It was one of the hottest 14ers I've ever done. Thanks to my hiking partner Chris Sumey for putting up with my rambling and bailing me out with water. It was a great day in the mountains.

Kelso Ridge- A new twist on Torreys Peak

Torreys Peak via Kelso Ridge route
An exciting class 3 alternative to the standard route.
~8 miles RT, ~3500' of elevation gain (including Grays Peak)
Climbed with: Scott Lowery, Kerry Fessenden, and Kerry's dad and sister.

Grays Peak (L) and Torreys Peak (R)

Group photo about a mile in (I took it)

The route for Kelso ridge begins at the saddle between Kelso Mountain and Torreys Peak

Scott and I split off the group to try the exciting and often-mentioned Kelso Ridge route. It's pretty easy to figure out where it starts because the saddle is obvious.

Off the beaten path (photo by Scott)

Almost immediately the trail gets interesting

Very soon after you start there is an easy class 3 section to get you started on the fun.

Coming to the first class 3 section

Scott Emerging after the class 3

A rocky part. The climbing crux can be seen just below the "fin" on the top right

For the most part it's rocky class 2, and there is a trail as well. It's not too difficult to lose however, on the rockier sections. When in doubt, stick to the ridge crest. 

At the base of the climbing crux. I went straight up, and easier path lies to the left (Photo by Scott)

Climbing out of the "Crux" area

I will say the climbing crux could be somewhat challenging for someone who has never tried class three. In addition, you are somewhat exposed upon reaching the top, where you then take a sharp right turn and scramble up easier terrain. We both did the right chimney (supposed to be more difficult) and it's hard class 3 climbing.

We got off-route a little and ended up climbing this way to regain the ridge

Easy climbing near the top

So the mental crux of the route is the knife edge ridge. Compared to Capitol Peak, this is shorter and easier. HOWEVER, it's not necessarily something a newbie would feel comfortable with. Also, the rock was very smooth and slick from use, unlike Capitol which offered more traction. To the right you have a short but painful tumble should you fall, to the left you have the top of a steep snow-holding couloir which could prove deadly should you tumble into it accidentally.

Starting off (I have a red backpack on)  (Photo by Scott)

 

Looking back on the knife edge

Scott finishing on the knife edge

After the knife edge it's a short and easy climb to the summit of Torreys peak, where we soon met up with the rest of our group.

Mountains, mountains everywhere

We met up with the group again on the Torreys summit

The summit of Grays Peak from Torreys. We can see about 100 people on the summit.

Kerry F. and Scott on the summit. They are engaged. :)

Looking back at Torreys from the saddle

Kerry and Scott heading up to Grays Peak

The summit of Grays Peak was insanely crowded, so we quickly traversed to the  south end of the summit for some relative peace and quiet.

Mt. Evans (R) and Mt. Bierstadt (R) from the summit of Grays Peak

For as popular as Grays Peak is, it sure has a spectacular view

So manly

Another group photo from the summit, Breck in the background

A superb day for a hike in the mountains

A last look back

The wildflowers were simply outrageous

Back at the trailhead, a welcome sight

Grays Peak and Torreys Peak are two easy 14ers that see a ton of traffic. However, it's still a pretty area and a nice trail, and the Kelso Ridge route is a great escape and a test piece for your 14er climbing abilities. Don't miss this alternate ascent of Torreys if you plan on doing all 58, or want a fun challenge close to Denver.