We Do Stuff: September 2023

September 8-10, 2023

Half Peak 13,866'

Laura says since we have not been to the San Juan's yet this season that we had better get there this weekend. I suggested something a bit mellower than our somewhat ambitious plan that we cancelled due to weather over Labor Day and said that we should turn a fairly simple day trip climb to Half Peak into a 2 night backpacking trip to Cataract Lake with Hazel. She loves camping and I figured it may be the last chance we have to camp in the backcountry this year before the snow falls.

Hazel at the trailhead ready for a nice hike

Laura cut out of work early on Friday and by the time she was home, I had the Jeep loaded. Hazel and I were ready to go! We made quick work of the 5 hour drive to the Cataract Gulch trailhead outside of Lake City, stopping only once for a low quality dinner at Arby's in Gunnison.

Crossing the first bridge on our hike

We pulled into the trailhead, stashed our food in the bear vaults provided by the forest service and shouldered our backpacks. It was almost 6 pm and we had 5 miles to hike to get to our planned camp area at Cataract Lake. Hazel would walk the first mile of the trail, crossing a few log bridges and getting out some of her energy she had left from the long car ride. As the trail steepened and her normal bedtime approached, she became tired and soon asked for Laura to carry her. We didn't argue and loaded her into her backpack. It was now time to make some time on the trail. Laura and I set off at our normal pace hiking but with heavy packs, soon backed off the pace just a bit.

Hazel is becoming a really good hiker

We proceeded across several river crossings before climbing up a long slope. It was here that we double checked the map and decided we must have gone wrong a few hundred yards prior. We retraced our steps back down the slope and after discussion and me remembering reading about a Colorado Trail reroute in the area, decided that we would continue on the path we were originally on. After encountering two moose in the willow trees along the trail and cautiously passing them and making them aware of our presence, we reached the lake around 9:30. By 10 pm I had the tent set up. I spent a few minutes with Hazel outside looking at stars and showed her the Milky Way, something she is familiar with from one of the books we read regularly.

Hazel was adamant that she cross the bridges herself rather than be carried

Really neat waterfall that we passed just as it was getting dark

The night was chilly with temps dipping down into the low 30's, but when sun hit our tent at 8am, I eagerly climbed out to see the beauty of the area. The sun warmed me while I boiled water for oatmeal and coffee and after a quick breakfast, we all hit the trail toward Half Peak at 9:30 am. Hazel once again started off walking. As she slowly made her way along the Colorado Trail, she picked a few flowers and made a bouquet as we went.

Hazel was very proud of her bouquet

After about a mile the terrain got a bit steeper as we moved off trail and headed for the peak. Laura once again carried Hazel as we worked our way up a loose gravel slope. We were soon to the catwalk and within 1/2 mile of the summit. Carefully making our way across the exposed and loose catwalk, we all made it to the summit of Half Peak a few minutes before noon.

Approaching the catwalk

I looked around and picked out many of the peaks Laura and I had climbed. The view was amazing and we spent time hanging out and cooking ramen for lunch on the summit.

Justin on the summit

Hazel and Laura on the summit

Hazel helped cook some lunch on the summit

Amazing views of the San Juans

Hazel wanted to take a picture of everyone including her "guys"

We set Hazel up with a "zanyan" to eat her lunch

After descending the mountain, we made our way back to camp at Cataract Lake. It was 2 pm and we had the afternoon to relax and enjoy the backcountry. I gathered a bit of dead wood for a fire in an existing fire ring while Laura and Hazel threw rocks into the lake.

Hazel had fun throwing rocks

At one point I was looking across the lake and noticed a moose on the shoreline. She was getting a drink of water. For what seemed like an hour or more, we all watched the majestic animal drink and then wander up into the willow trees, eating as she moved up the hill. After watching the moose, I decided to swim in the lake before heading back up to camp. The water was cold but not nearly as cold as some of the lakes I have swam in.

A moose hanging out across the lake from us

Justin took a refreshing swim in the lake

As the daylight faded, we had a small fire and ate dinner before crawling into the tent for an early night. We all smuggled up into our sleeping bags and before we knew it were fast asleep. Hazel slept in the very bottom of her sleeping bag and Laura and I were a bit chilled as we slept as well. Waking in the morning, we eagerly anticipated the rising sun and when it hit the tent, I once again jumped out and cooked breakfast. There was a bit of frozen water in the jetboil so the temps must have been in the high 20's overnight.

Eating dinner at our camp

Snuggling up to keep warm

After eating breakfast, we packed our backpacks and made the 6 mile hike out to the trailhead. We would stop several times for pictures and to see the waterfalls we did not see on the hike in. Hazel ate goldfish and at every opportunity would eat wild raspberries Laura and I grabbed along the way. We were back to the Jeep at 11:30 am and made the long drive back home to complete a wonderful weekend camping in the wilderness.

All set for the hike out

Camp life

Hazel loves camping

More amazing views on the hike out

Cool waterfalls

Justin filtering water

We had fun on the hike out

Goldfish are definitely the best hiking snack

Surprisingly there were still a few wildflowers

Some plants were already turning reds and oranges

La Plata Peak 14,344'
Ellingwood Ridge
September 1, 2023

Laura and I have talked about climbing Ellingwood ridge on La Plata Peak for quite a few years. It's never been top of our list but when weather looked great and Isaac, Ethan and Nicole invited us along for a day trip, we jumped at the opportunity.

Creek crossing in the dark

Staying at the cabin the night before, we set a 2:30 am alarm and after a quick breakfast were on the road to meet up with the rest of the crew at 4:30. Headlights turned on full blast, we set off from the cars at 4:45 am and made steady pace up the road and to the trail cutoff toward Ellingwood ridge. We were soon bushwhacking or walking on a lightly traveled path, headed uphill through the forest and eventually to a clearing that holds a large boulderfield and our access to the ridge. After rock hopping up the boulders and loose talus to the ridge, we took a break for some food and water before continuing on. We knew the length of the route and amount of time it would take and figured being efficient was important today, more so than most.

Beautiful sunrise as we were working through the boulderfield

Once we were on the ridgeline, some in the group stayed below the ridge on easier terrain. I chose to scramble as close to the ridge proper as I could. It made for some fun low 5th class scrambling and an enjoyable time moving quickly over varied terrain. I'd climb ahead for a while and then wait and watch as everyone continued along their chosen path. Occasionally I would climb to a point I could not downclimb off the other side of so I'd backtrack and join up with the others for a short time.

Justin climbing somewhere along Ellingwood Ridge

Laura scouting the route somewhere on Ellingwood Ridge

Finding our way down off a gendarme along the route

Justin taking in the views from a high point along the ridge

After 4 or 5 hours of climbing, we were just over halfway on the ridge. We came to a pillar that was not climbable. There were more than a few options to climb down and around but we chose a path that was not efficient. I went down and through a hole in the rock and the others chose a path down a loose gulley. After a while, we all made it through but it was time consuming. From this point on, we all got back on track and collectively made our way along the long remainder of the ridge to the summit. The scrambling continued to be enjoyable and for the most part we were able to stay on solid rock.

Relaxing on the summit

Ready to head down

We all made it to the summit 8.5 hours after starting off that morning. After resting for 30 minutes, we took a group photo and descended by the standard northwest ridge and back to the cars right at 12 hours round trip. A post climb beer was in order in the parking lot and after a few laughs and smiles, we were all off toward home.

Easier creek crossing on the route down

Neat waterfall neat the trailhead

Nicole at an old mining cabin near the trailhead

We spent the rest of the holiday weekend splitting wood at the cabin, fishing with Hazel, who caught eight fish, and visiting the burro days exhibits in Fairplay.