7380

3/10/2010 - 7380, 7178 & Table Mountain

From the Larimer County Red Mountain Open Space Trailhead, I hiked southwest on the Bent Rock Trail, then left the trail continuing southwest to the west face of Table Mountain. There are some vertical cliffs on the west side, but I was able to find an easy way up. Next, I descended down to North County Rd 23, which is closed to the public, and followed it south briefly before crossing Boxelder Creek and continuing southwest until I intersected a road paralleling the petroleum pipeline. I followed this road to the top of the ridge, then followed the ridge south, dropped southwest to the road passing north of 7178. I followed the road to its highpoint and continued south to the summit. Next, I descended east to avoid snow, then northeast to regain the road. I followed the road until it turned south, then continued northeast, re-crossed Boxelder Creek and regained North County Road 23, which I followed back into Red Mountain Open Space. I followed the Big Hole Wash Trail to the Ruby Wash Trail, which I followed until Sand Creek turned northwest. I followed the southern side of the impressive Haygood Canyon, then continued southwest to the summit of 7380. I descended east picking up an old road I spotted from below. The road is intermittently single track and intersects the Ruby Wash Trail just north of the Ruby Wash-Big Hole Wash intersection. I began walking back to the trailhead when I noticed I dropped my glove.  I had to walk all the way back to the Ruby Wash-Big Hole Wash intersection.  Finally, I followed the Big Hole Wash and Bent Rock Trails back to the trailhead completing an 18 mile and 8 hour day.

Table Mountain from the Bent Rock Trail

Table Mountain from the north

7380 from Table Mountain

7178 from Table Mountain

Haygood Canyon

Bent Rock Trail

Map