11831

10/9/2011:

11831

11801

10854

10626

Lonesome Peak

9434

Steve Knapp & I met in Golden and made the drive to the Junco Lake TH outside of Tabernash. We were making fresh tracks on the road, but the snow wasn't too deep. We hiked up the Columbine Lake Trail to Columbine Lake, then gained the Mount Neva-11831 saddle. From there, we continued southwest to 11801. Steep boulder hopping up the final pitch to the summit required care with the fresh, unconsolidated snow. We returned to the 11831-11801 saddle, then climbed 11831 which had a few candidate bumps along the ridge, but the northernmost was likely higher. We descended the NW ridge then regained the Columbine Lake Trail.

11831 from the 11831-Mount Neva saddle. Photo: Steve Knapp

Ascending 11831 with 11801 in the background. Photo: Steve Knapp

Ascending the final stretch of 11831. Photo: Steve Knapp

11831 & 11801. Map: Steve Knapp

We then continued west along CR 84 to a highpoint along the road northeast of 10854 and parked at the junction with an old road. We followed the north ridge to the summit.

10854 Map

Next we headed north on CR 84 past the Junco Lake TH and parked just west of the High Lonesome Trail. The snow was not as deep on this south face approach of Lonesome Peak and were surprised to find an old Bob Martin register.

Lonesome Peak Map

For 10626, we tried to locate FR 8057 so we could at least hike the road close to the summit. Unsuccessful, we drove to a highpint on the road northeast of the peak and hiked from there.

10626 Map

The final peak for the day was 9434. We parked at the intersection with CR 84 and the closed FR 126. There was much less snow at this lower elevation and this hike went quickly.

9434 Map