Two days in March.

I haven't posted at all this year; this doesn't mean I've stopped getting outdoors, in fact, much the opposite!  However, I've mostly been running the same trails over and over, and not doing many peaks.  Last week I got the email from Jamel:

Hello Gentlemen,

How about a 14er before the end of winter?

While I have been following a training schedule for the ultra I signed up for in July, with nicer weather coming I feel like I need to be flexible.  The week in question called for one long run of 27 miles, but I felt ok about splitting that up into a 7ish and 20ish mile day.  Gentleman?  I'm more of a dude.  And I'd get to spend some time outside with two nice people.  And Quandary is the only 14er I have done that I haven't done in winter.  

March 15, 2017.
The weather looked pretty good, but with predicted gusts up to 40 mph, wind would again be a factor.  Our hope was the the mass of the peak itself would help to block the worst of it.

We all decided to leave the snowshoes at home, and headed up in microspikes only.  The winter trail was well packed, with no postholing at all. 

We kind of slept in and started around 8.  The going was relatively easy.  In some ways, hiking in winter can be easier as the snow fills in all the rocks and gaps of the trail, giving you a nice ramp to walk up.  But in other ways, it's much more challenging.

We met and broke treeline, and could see a small line of people heading up.  While Gary and Jamel had been above 14k in elevation the week before, it's been almost two years since I've been that high.  I was very curious about how I'd feel, and worried that I'd be pretty slow since I haven't been at any elevation in quite awhile.

Some moody clouds added to the experience. 

The "trail" as it were, reaches a plateau around 13000 feet.  From here, things get steeper as you make the final thousand foot push to the summit.  I was expecting the suffering to kick in here, but the three of us passed every single person ahead, largely as we didn't have to stop to take many breaks.  To my surprise, this continued for me up to around 14000 feet.  I did have to take a few short breaks from there on, but the summit and wind came soon enough.
The summit is somewhat flat, and fully exposed to the wind.  It was some work to make the final few hundred feet.

Gary on the summit, about to measure the wind speed (44 mph) and temperature (23 degrees).  It really didn't feel too bad, and I was thinking I could have lightened my load for the day alot, but of course you never know that before hand.

North Star Mountain and points south.
We didn't spend long on the summit due to the wind, and enjoyed the hike down.  The temperatures were rapidly rising, unfortunately I'd dressed for the cold and could only shed so much.

The snow started to get sticky, and back at the car it felt good to change into short sleeves and jeans.  We made the drive back to Boulder and split up there.  A fun day with you dudes!
Quandary is considered one of the easiest 14ers.  In winter, that consideration remains true, however conditions make it more difficult than in summer.  Please make sure you are adequately prepared for the weather.
Quandary Peak, 14265 feet, in Winter:
7.03 miles round trip, 3269 foot gain.  Moderate+.
March 16, 2017.
Twenty miles planned for the day- originally I planned to go to Hermit Park and do Kenny Mountain and a few others in the area.  Fortunately, I checked Larimer County's website before I left and found the trail I would need to take wasn't open yet.  On to plan b.

Secret splendor.
The trail up is fun, steep at times, and technical.  It's one of my favorites to mountain bike.  It's quickly become a favorite to run.

Through the trees.
My first goal of the day was Button Rock.  I've done Button Rock Mountain before (just a few times), but I'd never climbed this rocky prominence that is visible from many points in the area.  I was going around a slabby outcrop when I decided to poke my head up and see where I was.  I could see the summit just a little bit ahead. 

Button Rock from the slabby point to the west. It certainly looks steep and imposing.  It's listed as fourth class on LoJ, but I'd agree with the trip report that it feels like something more than that, perhaps 5.don't tell mom.

Looking back to the slabby point west from the summit of Button Rock.

Here's the route I took up and down, on the north side.  The moss kept things interesting; the crux was a mantle and rock over on rounded edges.  The climb back down was even more interesting.  While I can't say this was the easiest way, it looked like it to my eyes.  To be fair, I also didn't explore all the aspects, so maybe there's an easier way. 

Back on some easier ground.
I picked up the trail again, and headed toward peak 7790.  There was some dead fall along the way to slow things down, but the distance went quickly.

Peak 7790 on the right. 
The loop was fun, though the uphill on the way back was a little difficult.

Button Rock from below. 
I took the trail until the four way junction.  Right would take me back to where I started, but by my estimate, wouldn't get me enough distance.  Straight ahead, a rocky and unfun descent.  To my left, some more climbing on fun trails and the summit of Button Rock Mountain. 
I originally planned to do the whole loop here, but started later than I hoped and I also forgot a headlamp.  So I decided to just hit the summit and turn around.

A short and fun scramble to the top, where I discovered that someone else had visited the peak this day.  A narrow miss!

The sun dropping on the horizon gave some interestingly long shadows. 
There is a short but steep climb on the way out, but soon enough it was all glorious downhill. 
I finished this twenty in just over six hours, getting around mid 18 minutes per mile, though in the low 17s if you don't count the time navigating the fifth class to Button Rock.  I'm ok with that.  It's reasonable with room to improve.
I feel like I normally have to go up higher and farther to avoid seeing anyone, but I did not see a single soul on this day, though I came close.  And I'll begrudgingly admit it: running is fun!
Button Rock, 7790, and Button Rock Mountain via ?:
Button Rock, 8039 feet: 5.5 miles,  1379 foot gain.  5.easy (or easier).  Moderate+.
7790: 8.07 miles, 1130 foot gain.  Second class.  Moderate.
Button Rock Mountain, 8450 feet: 13.36 miles, 1790 foot gain.  Second class.  Moderate.
As a whole, this day covered 20.08 miles

Indian Lookout Mountain and Points 6446, 7985, and 7790.

Last week was the first in quite awhile that I did not make the journey up to Estes Park or beyond.  With careful planning, I was able to get out almost every single week over the summer, despite the weather conditions.  But this week, the weather turned out to be a bit too much.

Thus, I decided to stay down and look more closely at another list I've been coincidentally working on: the Boulder County High Points.  With the time spent in RMNP, I'd already gotten through nearly a quarter of this list, and it seems like a good idea to focus on the lower peaks over the winter when the high mountains won't be as accessible.  

Of course, there are some issues with this list.  Many of the peaks are located on private property, or are surrounded by private property.  Some are on public property, but are closed to access all year round.  I guess the best call is to use your judgement: if an area is under a permanent raptor nesting closure, wait until the other seasonal raptor closures have been lifted or go before they go into effect.  Be respectful of the mountains.

Indian Lookout Mountain is accessible from Hall Ranch, but lies in a year round raptor closure.  When you reach the intersection of 66 west and 7/36, it is the peak directly in front of you.  It can be reached from either side, but after some observations, starting at Antelope might be best.  From either side, one could head all the way up to the saddle and turn east, or (from Antelope) break off from the trail at some point and head north through some scrubby low growth and sparse pine trees.  Wear pants and watch out for snakes.

 A small rise.

You'll likely approach from the west.  This face is third class, or so I hear.  The easiest access comes from the east.

Low clouds coming in.
Take the same way back down, and you'll be in good shape.
Point 6446 is most easily accessible from the Picture Rock Trailhead of Heil Ranch, and while on public property, lies within a County Open Space Permanent Closure area. 

Socked in.

Somewhere...

If the weather looked this bad this low, I imagine it was worse farther up.  

The next day I was able to see a light coating of snow on Mount Meeker and Lady Washington.  While I've got nothing against hiking in snow, I am not a fan of driving in it.  I set out to visit some of the high points in Roosevelt National Forest.  The regulations are a bit more lax here, both good and bad, and I was able to bring my little buddies along.  

I drove up Rt. 36 and turned left onto CR 47/Big Elk Meadows.  This is just a little bit past Pinewood Springs.  I continued along CR 47 until I hit the turnoff for the Coulson Gulch trail.  This is one the left and right after where the pavement turns to dirt.  I parked along the side of the road here, as the dirt road up to the trail head is quite rutted and I didn't think my car could make it.  

It was a short walk up the road to the trail head, but I could already see the effects of less rules, as there is trash everywhere.  I could have filled a trash bag just on this short hike up and down.  Pretty sad.

At the trail head, point 7985 lies almost directly south and slightly east.  We stayed on the road for a short time before cutting off and heading directly uphill.  There were a few false summits, but we made it to the top fairly quickly and easily. 

Dogs near the summit.  I don't have a photo of it, but both of them did actually climb the second class ramp up to the true summit.

We had some water and a snack, and then headed back the way we'd come.

 Point 7985.

A good view from the top.
Back at the car, I drove back down CR 47 toward 36, but turned off at jeep road 118A.  I parked here and started up the road.  After maybe 15 minutes, you'll come to a flatter area with a figure eight on the left.  Turn left here and find a trail leaving through the large rocks ringing the area.  You'll find this is an old jeep road as well, but has ceased being used for that purpose and is now going back to single track.
Continue up on this as a trail splits and then comes back on the right.  Continue straight at the trail drops into some rockier sections.  You'll finally reach a saddle at around 8000 feet.  You'll gain some more elevation and find yourself at a four way intersection- simply keep going straight.  The trail will loose some more elevation, ending up in a saddle just below 7500 feet.  

Point 7790 from the saddle.  

Continue along the trail and gain some more elevation on the other side.  Bear right at the intersection and stay on the trail for a few minutes before cutting back west to find the high point.  This is third class, so I tied the pups to a tree near the base and made a quick ascent.

Button Rock from 7790.

Layers of mountains.  The weather prediction for this day was definitely wrong!
We headed back down toward the trail and took a break in the seasonally wet 'puddle' near the trail intersection.

Gunner being Gunner. 

Happy Jersey!
After some water and food we headed back the way we'd come.  Back at home the dogs fell asleep almost immediately, while I had some around the house errands to attend to.  What a life!
Two days of Boulder County Highpoints:
Indian Lookout Mountain, 6533 feet: 4 miles round trip, 1375 foot gain.  Moderate.
Point 6446: 4 miles round trip, 1081 foot gain.  Moderate.
Point 7985: 2.5 miles round trip, 639 foot gain.  Moderate-.
Point 7790: 7.6 miles round trip, 2498 foot gain.  Moderate+.